Ridgeview Stables Secures Arriscraft Rocca for Keean White

Cambridge, Ontario – July 21, 2003 -- Canadian Show Jumping Team member Keean White of Cambridge, ON, will continue to ride Arriscraft Rocca for Canada thanks to the generosity of his sponsor, Ridgeview Stables.

Robert Elliott’s Ridgeview Stables is now the new owner of Arriscraft Rocca while a five-year agreement sees White guaranteed the ride on the nine-year-old selle francais gelding through to the year 2008.

“Mr. Elliott has been a great supporter of my career as an athlete,” says White. “He’s ensuring that the horse is kept in Canada and will not be sold to another country. As so often happens in the Canadian horse industry, the money offered, usually by an American owner, is too much to refuse and we end up losing our competitive mounts.”

Following a sensational 2003 season that included top placings in prestigious grand prix events on the Florida circuit and at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, White and Arriscraft Rocca were called upon to join the Canadian Show Jumping Team heading to the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in August.

“This is a big step in my career,” recognizes White. “Arriscraft Rocca’s taken me to where I am today and the support of Mr. Elliott means that I am able to continue riding this world-class horse for Canada. My career has been short, but he’s without a doubt the best horse I have ever ridden to date. And, even though I have a great horse, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my owners.”

The founder of Aberfoyle Spring bottled water company, Elliot became interested in show jumping when his daughter, now a large pony competitor, began participating in the sport. Through his initial involvement, Elliott has become a major supporter of equestrian sport on a national level, providing the Canadian Show Jumping Team with competitive horses as well as a world-class training facility. Located in Puslinch, ON, Ridgeview Stables’ fully heated 13-stall barn, well-lit by skylights, has been the recipient of numerous architectural awards.

“Out of all the facilities I have ever been to, it is one of the nicest I have seen anywhere in the world,” says White. “It is a pleasure to come to work every morning.”

At only 20 years of age, White has already experienced success competing on the international stage. He 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.

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Horsesdaily 2003 Show Jumping News
Keean White Named to Pan American Games Team