LAS VEGAS, NV., Apr 19-The 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup came to a close today after four days of competition in which the World’s top show jumpers and riders competed in front of over 58,000 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Canada had two rider and horse combinations qualify for the event including Rockwood Ontario’s Keean White and Perth Ontario’s Ian Miller. White led all Canadian riders going into the World Cup and was coming off his first Canadian Championship at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto and an extended winter show season at WEF in Wellington, Florida.
White was riding a nine year old Zangersheide mare Celena Z, who was recently purchased in the spring of 2009 by a team headed by Angelstone Farms and the Ashland Group of Wellington, Florida.
In Thursday’s Jumping Final I, White and Celena Z had a clear round going into the final two jumps but ended up with a time penalty of eight seconds on two knockdowns after making an aggressive turn to the second last jump.
White came back much stronger in Friday’s Jumping Final II and posted a clear round over a huge course more suited to Celena Z’s jumping style. White finished up in 12th position and qualified for Sundays Jumping Final III.
On Sunday, Celena Z put in a near perfect performance over the grueling Final III course, designed to truly test the determination and skill of both horse and rider. Celena Z energized the crowd with her athletism before clipping the final rail of the course.
As most show jumpers begin to realize their full potential in their early to mid teens, Celena Z is on track to continue to develop her abilities and progress towards White’s goal of earning a position on Canada’s team at the 2012 Olympics in London.
White is looking forward to returning home to Rockwood and Angelstone Farms after spending the last four months competing on the Florida show jumping circuit. They will continue to train before departing for Spruce Meadows in Calgary for the start of the Canadian Grand Prix season.