base_template

Ottawa, ON---The Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee announced today that James C. Wofford will not be renewing his contract as the Canadian Eventing Team’s International Technical Advisor (ITA). After mutually agreeable discussions, Mr. Wofford has decided to pursue other professional interests. His role as ITA will conclude at the end of his contract period on March 31, 2005. However, he will be available for selected Team clinics from time to time as well as potential Athlete Development clinics held in Canada.

Over the past three years, Mr. Wofford has been instrumental in improving individual and Team performances through Eventing’s National Team Training Program and through his role as ITA at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, ESP, the 2003 Pan American Championships in Fair Hill, Maryland, and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, GRE. Mr. Wofford’s expertise and hard work contributed greatly to back-to-back successful Team finishes for the Canadian Eventing Team at Major Games in 2003 and 2004, including a silver medal finish at the Pan Am Championships. His efforts have also left the Canadian Eventing Team in a very positive position to continue to strengthen their skills and their performance in the upcoming years.

“Jim Wofford has been a great asset to the Canadian Eventing Team, and we truly appreciate what he has done for the Team and the sport of Eventing in Canada,” said the Chair of the Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee, Michael Gallagher. “We wish Jim all the best in his future pursuits.”

In light of evolving changes to the format of the sport, the Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee is currently re-vamping their National Team Training Program to include specialized training in dressage and show jumping, which will complement the central ITA role. The search for a new ITA will begin shortly.

Canadian Eventing is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for the sport of eventing in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. Canadian Eventing Committee is comprised of 12 members, including two rider representatives elected by the Elite Riders Association. Directed by the Strategic Plan for Eventing, all Eventing activities are administered by this committee via six sub-committees with the support of Eventing Manager based at the Equine Canada office in Ottawa. For more information about Canadian Eventing, visit www.canadianeventing.com.