Ottawa, Ontario --- For the first time in four years, Canada will be represented at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final. Jacqueline Brooks and Jaimey Irwin have both qualified to compete at the Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, April 24-28, 2013.

Brooks of Cedar Valley, ON, earned her berth to the World Cup Final with a qualifying average score of 72.600% achieved by combining her top two freestyle scores riding her 2012 Olympic mount, D Niro, Brookhaven Dressage Inc's 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (D-Day x Napoleon 625). The pair received a score of 74.300% from Dressage at Devon in September 27-30, 2012 and 70.900% at CDI-W Wellington, the Florida Dressage Classic held February 14-17, 2013.

"I am so excited to have qualified for the World Cup Final," said Brooks, who represented Canada at the World Cup Final in 2007 riding Gran Gesto, her 2008 Olympic mount. "When Tamara Williamson of Kurboom and I sat down to develop a new Freestyle for D Niro, we wanted to make a one that would stand up on a world stage. I am so excited for Tamara and the musicians that worked so hard to make this Freestyle perfect for us. We have this opportunity to let the world hear it. We are going to have a lot of fun and are honoured to bring Canada back to the World Cup."

Canada's second representative, Jaimey Irwin of Stouffville, ON, riding Lindor's Finest, a 16-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding sired by Eastern Ruler and owned by Sylvia Carlton and Ute Busse, earned a qualifying average score of 72.113% by combining his Grand Prix Freestyle scores of 73.500%, achieved at the CDI-W Dressage at Devon, and 70.725%, from the CDI-W Loxahatchee Palm Beach Dressage Derby held March 1-3, 2013.

"I am very excited to be able to represent Canada at such a great event as the World Cup Finals in Sweden," said Irwin, who is planning to fly into Germany to train with Holger Munstermann before heading to Gothenburg. "The partnership with my horse is fairly new, and I started competing with him solely last summer. Lindor and I have clicked quite well together, and the partnership seems to become better every week."

"I had my mind on going to Sweden, so when I was invited I was quite happy," continued Irwin.

Canada's David Marcus riding Chrevi's Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Chrevi's Cavallo x Weinberg), owned by Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic, finished at the top of the North American 2012/2013 FEI World Cup Dressage Standings with an average score of 73.975%, but after careful consideration, Marcus has opted not to attend.

For more information on the 2013 FEI World Cup Final, and a full schedule, visit www.gothenburghorseshow.com.

About Dressage Canada
Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the national governing body for dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada's objective is to foster the growth of dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials' education and programs, rules and qualifying criteria, sport development, and publications and awards. For more information about Dressage Canada, please visit the Dressage section of the Equine Canada site or connect with us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dressagecanada or Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/lp8cnd.

PHOTOS - Susan J. Stickle
"Jacqueline Brooks and Jaimey Irwin have qualified to attend the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, being held April 24-28, 2013."