Source: EC News Release/Julie Cull

Ottawa, Ontario — Vernon Sapergia made his Canadian Reining Team debut and launched the Canadian Equestrian Team in to competition today at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), which are being held in Lexington, KY September 25—October 10, 2010.

Vernon Sapergia of Cochrane, AB, rode into the ring as the first Canadian entry with Its Wimpys Turn, a six-year-old palomino Quarter Horse mare owned by Outrider Ranch Ltd. The pair scored 211.50 for their run and is currently sitting in 13th place.

Tomorrow, Shawna Sapergia, also of Cochrane, AB, and Duane Latimer of Bienfait, SK, will compete in the second day of team competition.

“Attending the World Equestrian Games has been a really good experience,” said Vernon Sapergia. “I am really happy to have my daughter, Shawna, and Duane on my team. They are the top Canadian riders sitting on two of the top horses at the games. I am sure that tomorrow we will have some great runs.”

“Vernon’s slides were strong and powerful, and his shut-off was right on following his spins,” said chef d’équipe Wendy Dyer of Vernon’s performance. “It was just a late lead change that affected the score. Overall it was a great run. It is unfortunate that we are now down to a team of three horses, since one of the horses capable of medaling was declined at the jog.”

The Reining team competition continues tomorrow, September 26 with the qualifying competition on the 28th. The last day, September 30th, will have the much anticipated Individual Final and a Freestyle exhibition. All the Reining events will be held in the Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, including live results, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

For additional information on the CRC and its programs, including selection criteria, please visit the Equine Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca or e-mail reining@equinecanada.ca.