September 9, 2004 – Toronto, Ontario – Amanda Knowles of Toronto, ON, is on her way to qualifying for her second consecutive International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Children’s Final for athletes aged 12-14.

The 13-year-old show jumping athlete blew the competition away at one of two Canadian FEI Children’s Final Qualifiers held June 30 and July 1 in Bromont, QC. In the first class, Knowles was double clear riding Joconde de Sisse. The following day, the pair were again fault-free over two rounds of competition giving them a final score of zero faults over four rounds of jumping.

“My horse was amazing,” said Knowles of the seven-year-old selle francais mare imported from Belgium in November of 2003. “The commitment, knowledge, and support of my coach, Mark Hayes, has helped me reach many of my goals, including winning the FEI Children’s Final Qualifiers, and I credit him with all of my success. I did my best by turning in four clean rounds in Bromont, and now it is up to the FEI to determine who will attend this year’s Final in California.”

Knowles attended her first FEI Children’s Final last December when it was held at the famed Spruce Meadows show jumping facility in Calgary, AB, and enjoyed a fifth place finish riding Robin Van Het Lindehof. However, unlike the 2003 Final where the home country was allowed 16 representatives, Canada is not assured of representation at the 2004 FEI Children’s Final that will be held at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley, California, from November 22-28. Instead, ten representatives from ‘Category A’ which includes nations such as Colombia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates as well as Canada, will be chosen based on their performances in FEI Children’s Qualifying competitions.

In addition to the FEI Children’s Qualifier held in Bromont, QC, a second Qualifier was held in western Canada at the Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, from August 25-29. Qualifying competitions held around the world use the same pre-determined course ranging in height from 1.10m to 1.20m, thereby leveling the playing field. Now in its tenth year, the FEI Children’s Final was developed to encourage up-and-coming riders to participate in international competition with support from the FEI.

Throughout the 2004 show season, Knowles has excelled in both the equitation and the Junior/Amateur jumper divisions. In her home province of Ontario, she is currently leading the Section 4 Jumper division and also heads the CET and OHJA Jumper Medals. Her results in the Junior Hunters, Hunter Equitation, the EC Medal and the Junior Medal are impressive. Knowles most recently competed at the ‘HITS on the Hudson’ show facility in Saugerties, NY, where she was crowned High Junior Jumper Champion and, incredibly, won the prestigious MacLay Medal, the HBO Junior Medal and the Washington Medal.