Warmblood team elevates standing at international competition
WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Canadian Warmblood Young Breeders Team surpassed its previous results at the International Young Breeders World Championships, which took place in the town of Celle, Germany from July 16 to 19.
The senior team – consisting of twin sisters Hailey and Jessica Larkin, 24, and Victoria Smith, 22, of Guelph, and Avery Caine, 21, of Rockwood – placed sixth out of 18 teams.
The junior team, which featured Katelyn Mullin, 20, of Fergus, placed 15th out of 18 teams.
The combined team placed 11th out of 18 teams, a leap of four places from its 15th-place finish in 2024, and up from 18th place in 2022 (the International Young Breeders World Championships are held biennially).
Coach Lyssa Caine oversees most of the Canadian Warmbloods’ activity and collaborates with a set of coaches from other provinces.
The event aims to train the next generation of equine professionals through a competition that tests contestants on a set of highly specialized skills related to breeding horses for sport.
The International Young Breeders competition specifically features five parts:
– a multiple-choice examination with questions about the history of equine competitions and breeding;
– “turnout” exercise that involves grooming a horse;
– “conformation” exercise where one physically assesses a horse’s fitness;
– “loose movement” exercise where one assesses the fitness of a horse in motion; and
– ‘jog’ exercise where one must walk alongside and maintain mastery over a horse.
“It is like a whole new level of breeding over there,” said Avery Caine.
She described Celle as a world class breeding facility, with its tradition of breeding horses for the Olympics and other world class sporting events.
It was “quite something” to compete against teams from around the world, Avery added.
As far as what comes next for the Young Breeders, Lyssa Caine hopes to continue growing the team.
Avery’s aspirations are a little more precise.
“(Finishing) top three is our goal for next time,” Avery said. “The goal is to keep studying, keep developing.”
People as young as 11 can get involved with Young Breeders, though 16 is the minimum age to participate in the International Young Breeders World Championships as part of the junior team.
While some might be intimated at the idea of having to be a great rider, Lyssa stressed the competition “is more about having knowledge [of horses] and handling skills.”
For more information visit canadianwarmbloods.com.
