Dressage-News

OTTAWA, Ontario, June 21–Canadian dressage riders seeking to qualify for the 2014 World Equestrian Games must  achieve four qualifying scores of a minimum of 68 per cent at CDI3* or higher competitions in the year beginning July 1.

Dressage Canada announced on Thursday what it said was an “important change” in moving to a score-based selection procedurde.

The qualification period runs from July 1, 2013 to June 29, 2014.

Rider/horse combinations must achieve four Grand Prix scores at four different CDI3* or higher competitions. Each submitted score must be 68 per cent or better. For automatic qualification, four scores when averaged together must equal 70 per cent or better. All scores must be achieved from a full panel of five FEI judges, and each judging panel must be non-identical.

“We are very pleased with this important change toward a score-based criteria that sets the bar higher and clearly shows our commitment to strive towards excellence,” said Jean-Christophe Gandubert, CEO of Equine Canada.

“The process for setting the WEG Selection Criteria has generated great discussions and forced all involved, including the athletes, to recognize the level of the competition we face on the world stage. It is also a statement of our faith in the talent we have in Canada and our ability to get back to the top level.”

Dressage Canada will select the rider/horse combinations to represent Canada at WEG on or before Monday, July 7, 2014.

WEG will be held in Normany, France, Aug. 23-Sept. 7, 2014, in Normandy, France..