Olympic show jumpers Ian Millar, left to right, Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze, Jill Henselwood and Yann Candele pose for photographers at Spruce Meadows on Thursday. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)
Dignitaries and sports officials descended on Spruce Meadows for Thursday's media conference to announce the athletes on Canada's three equestrian teams.
Canadian Olympic Committee board member Gene Edworthy and Equine Canada president Mike Gallagher presented team jackets to Olympic show jumpers Ian Millar, Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze, Jill Henselwood and alternate rider Yann Candele.
Edworthy recognized the Olympians for their dedication to training, hard work and a passion for excellence. Edworthy commented that it was fitting the team was being named at Spruce Meadows, one of the leading venues where Olympians have trained and are being trained.
Gallagher said the last four years had been historic with Canada's equestrian teams enjoying outstanding performances at the Beijing Olympics and the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, pointing out that Own the Podium funding and Sport Canada funding have increased and so has Canada's performance. He commented that Equine Canada has set membership records in the last four years -- attributing it to the national and international success of the equestrian teams.
Alberta Premier Alison Redford was present for the announcement and, acknowledging that the Canadian team is a national team, was thankful that the decision to name the team was in Alberta. Redford recognized that Spruce Meadows plays an important role as a home for the Canadian team to train and compete yearly.
SHOW JUMPING TEAM
DRESSAGE TEAM
EVENTING TEAM
Deanna Phelan
Deanna Phelan has been involved in the Equine world all her life. She currently is the owner of the family farm...GEARY HILL STABLES in Geary, New Brunswick. Phelan is a certified Level 3 Jumping Coach. She also trains and actively competes in Quebec, Ontario and Wellington, Florida with two 8-year old jumpers. She has competed for many years and was short listed for the National Talent Squad. Phelan also began commentating on CBC's Spruce Meadows television programming in 2009. She continues to be a part of the broadcasting team in addition to covering the Equine world for CBCSports.ca. She is currently President of the New Brunswick Equestrian Association. Phelan considers herself a student of the sport who continues to work hard at becoming a better professional rider and coach. She has a BA in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
