Toronto, Ontario -November 17, 2002- Celebrating victory two days in a row, 19-year-old Keean White of Cambridge, ON, closed out the Royal Horse Show by topping the National Talent Squad Championship.

White, who won the National Talent Squad Championship, Phase I, on Saturday by posting two flawless rounds, repeated perfection on Sunday with double clear rounds in Phase II. Riding Arriscraft Rocca, an 8-year-old bay selle francais gelding, White was one of three riders to advance to the jump-off over the challenging test set by course designer Pierre Jolicouer.

The last rider into the ring, White turned in a clear round in a time of 30.41 seconds to claim victory for the second consecutive day. The two wins earned White the National Talent Squad Series Championship with an additional $2,000 in prize money awarded in memory of the late Alfred Rogers.

Placing second in the National Talent Squad Championship, Phase I, was Rebecca Irvine, 21, of Brockville, ON. Coached by Canadian Equestrian Team member Jill Henselwood, Irvine was also clear in the jump-off riding Quincy, but in a slower time of 32.79 seconds. Having placed fourth in Phase I, Irvine was named Reserve Champion in the National Talent Squad Series Championship.

Elliott Stone of Midland, ON, placed third riding Freestyle, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. Stone, 20, who trains with two-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, had four faults in the jump-off.

The National Talent Squad Series is a means of identifying and developing up-and-coming horse-rider combinations that have the potential to become future members of the Canadian Show Jumping Team.

$8,000 ‘Alfred Rogers’ Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships, Phase II