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Christi McQuaker Wins 2005 Eastern Division Talent Squad Series

October 7, 2005

Ottawa, Ontario --- The 2005 Eastern Division Champion of Jump Canada’s Talent Squad Series is Christi McQuaker of Schomberg, Ontario.

Following a successful campaign in the Jump Canada Talent Squad Series, McQuaker and her seven-year-old dark bay Belgian Warmblood mare, Ella (Omar), headed into the final event with only a one-point lead. At the Eastern Division Final held September 25, 2005, at the CSI-W Tournament of Champions in Palgrave, Ontario, McQuaker ensured her title with a first place finish.

“I was last to go in the jump-off and there had only been one rider to go clean,” recalls McQuaker, who put in a double clear effort to secure the victory. “I made some calculated decisions about how I needed to ride and it all worked out.”

With 15 points gained for the win combined with four of her best scores earned throughout the season, McQuaker maintained her ranking at the top of the 2005 Eastern Talent Squad Series.

“Ella is a great mare!” raved McQuaker who, as the Eastern Division Champion, was awarded airfare to the 2006 World Cup Final to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from April 26 to 30. “She is only seven-years-old and is definitely one of the most talented and fun horses I have had the pleasure of owning. She’s already done a lot at young age and we’ll see where next year takes us.”

Nicolas Xavier Belanger, 23, of Calixa-Lavallee, Quebec, also had a double-clear second place finish riding Now or Never to gain 13 points and move up to third place in the rankings. Belanger came close to overtaking Margie Gayford’s second place standing, but the Stouffville, ON rider maintained the runner-up position based on strong results in prior competitions.

The Eastern Division of the 2005 Talent Squad Series was comprised of 14 events with the top five scores from each rider counting towards the final standings. Athletes from across the Eastern provinces took part in this truly national series with the top six riders hailing from Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

The Western Division Final will take place on October 28 at the Spruce Meadows Oktoberfest Tournament in Calgary, Alberta, with the winner there also being awarded airfare to the 2006 World Cup Final. In addition, the two Division Champions, as well as the top finisher in the Jump Canada Talent Squad Championships at the Royal Horse Show (excluding the two Division Champions), will be nominated for Sport Canada Development Cards that allow them to receive much-needed athlete funding towards their training expenses.

Rider, Horse Hometown TOTAL POINTS
Christi McQuaker Ella Schomberg, ON 59
Margie Gayford Stuntman Stouffville, ON 44
Nicolas Xavier Belanger Now or Never Calixa Lavallee, QC 42
Laurie Bucci Lalelu Mont St-Hilaire, QC 35
Sven Frei Quebec Arva, ON 35
Deanna Phelan Sunshine Geary, NB 34
Vanessa Paschini Heve De Mazure Boisbriand, QC 31

The Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships, which sees five qualified riders from each division invited to compete, will be held on November 4 and 5 during the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, Ontario.

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