Cambridge, Ontario, June 26, 2003 – Keean White of Cambridge, ON, has been named to the Canadian Show Jumping Team that will compete at the 2003 Pan American Games to be held August 2-17 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Originally named the first alternate with his horse, Arriscraft Rocca, following the Selection Trials held May 28-June 1 at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, White replaces Gail Greenough of Edmonton, AB. The Pan American Games will mark the first time that White, 20, will represent Canada in international competition.

“I am very excited, I went through a lot to get to here and it is rewarding that the Selection Committee respects my accomplishments,” said White who will be riding Arriscraft Rocca, a nine-year-old selle francais gelding owned by the Ridgeview Stables Syndicate. “Without my owner, I wouldn’t be here right now. They have invested a lot in the horse and in me as a rider. I am confident in the horse and I am confident that when we’re called upon, we’ll be ready to put in a good performance.”

By far the youngest competitor, White joins Karen Cudmore, 44, of Omaha, NE, Eric Lamaze, 35, of Schomberg, ON, Ian Millar, 56, of Perth, ON, and Mark Samuel, 40, of Toronto, ON, as the Canadian Show Jumping Team representatives that will travel to Santo Domingo. Once on-site, the four riders who will represent Canada will be selected.

“Due to the withdrawal of Gail Greenough who has an unfortunate soundness problem with her horse, we have selected Keean, the next rider in line following the Trials, as her replacement on the Team,” explained Danny Foster, Chair of the Selection Committee. “Keean’s had a big year, he’s a hard working individual, and we think he has a lot to offer, both now and in the future. We’re looking forward to great things from him.”

In preparation for the Pan American Games, White will compete at the CSI-W Classique Internationale de Blainville in Blainville, QC, from July 2-6 followed by the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON, from July 9-13.

The next generation of Canadian show jumping, White was a member of the silver medal teams at both the 2002 and 2001 North American Young Riders’ Championships, having also won a team bronze medal in 2000. In 2003, White started the season with numerous grand prix victories on the Florida circuit and recently enjoyed a fourth place finish in the $150,000 Direct Energy Grand Prix held June 7 at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB.

White is based in Cambridge, ON, where he operates Angelstone Farm and Ridgeview Stables.