BY CHRIS GOULD / CWHBA
PHOTOGRAPHY: ES LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY

Was this the best Canadian Warmblood young breeders’ team ever? The question is, of course, rhetorical. The CWHBA has sent a team to the International Young Breeders’ World Championship (IYB-WC) since it started in 2003.

This year's results speak for themselves. Combined results placed them 11th overall – sixth place for the senior team, 15th for the juniors. In the individual categories, Junior, Rielle Longtin (SK) tied for first place in theory as did Seniors, Hailey Larkin and Jessica Larkin (ON) while in the Athleticism/Free Jumping category Junior Grace McConnell (AB) finished fourth, and Senior Victoria Smith (ON) placed seventh.
“I am so proud of our team this year’, commented Lisa Longtin (Young Breeder Program Coordinator) “In addition to spending four great days at the absolutely beautiful and iconic Landgestüt Celle, what really stood out for me at this competition was how dedicated and self-motivated all our of Canadian team members were. There was a palpable vibe of everyone wanting to do their best. They were all business during the events, and then really cut loose and enjoyed themselves when it was over.”
Coach Kailey Parkin added: “The girls did amazing. There were 19 teams in total, and we were so close to cracking the top 10.”
That, of course, is not the main story. What is really important is the friends made, the experiences shared, and the opportunity to learn more about the international horse industry.
Team member Grace McConnell’s take away was unequivocal: “The things I enjoyed most at the competition were getting to know new people from other countries and putting my knowledge to the test. What I found interesting were the different types of competitors from each studbook.”...

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