June 20, 2006 – Ottawa, Ontario – Jump Canada is pleased to announce that the Canadian Show Jumping Team for the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG), in Aachen, Germany, has been chosen.

Five athletes have been named to the Team, in alphabetical order:

Athlete/Hometown/Horse/Owner
Mario Deslauriers/Bromont, QC/Paradigm/Mario Deslauriers
Jill Henselwood/Oxford Mills, ON/Special Ed/Juniper Farms
Eric Lamaze/Schomberg, ON/Hickstead/Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables
Ian Millar/Perth, ON/In Style/Susan Grange
Chris Pratt/ Belfountain, ON/Rivendell/Susan Grange

Three alternates have also been named, in ranked order:

Erynn Ballard/Hillsburgh, ON/Robin van Roosendael/Looking Back Farm
Margie Gayford/Stouffville, ON/Stuntman/Wingberry Farms
Tamie Phillips/Strathmore, AB/Lucas/Merle Gardner

A Selection Committee comprised of Terrance Millar, Laura Balisky, David Ballard, Alan Chesler and Mark Samuel determined the Canadian Show Jumping Team from a group of 11 declared athletes.  The decision was made following Observation Trials held during the Spruce Meadows CSI5* "National" Tournament from June 7-11 and the CSI-W "Continental" Tournament from June 14-18 in Calgary, AB.

"As a Selection Committee, we have selected the five riders that we feel can best represent Canada at the World Equestrian Games," said Terrance Millar, Chair.  "We have a great group of riders with super horses, and we hope that they are all at their best to compete at the WEG."

The 2006 World Equestrian Games will take place from August 20 to September 3 with the show jumping portion scheduled for August 29 to September 3.  In preparation, all five Team members will compete at CSI Valkenswaard, NED, from August 10-13.  Once in Aachen, the four athletes that will comprise the Canadian Show Jumping Team, competing in both Team and Individual events, will be announced.

Held every four years, the 2006 edition of the World Equestrian Games will feature 800 competitors from seven different disciplines vying for the title of World Champion.  An anticipated 500,000 visitors are expected to attend the Games.  For more information, please visit the World Equestrian Games website, www.aachen2006.de.

For complete team rider biographies, please visit: http://www.jumpcanada.ca/bios/short.html .