Change to Canadian eventing World Championships team line-up

Canadian World Championships eventing team: Colleen Loach and Vermont withdraw — Colleen Loach and Vermont, pictured at Fair Hill International in 2019.

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The Canadian eventing World Championships team is facing a rejig owing to an injury sustained in a final pre-Pratoni preparation run.

Olympian Colleen Loach has withdrawn from the Canadian squad heading to Italy after her ride, championship debutant Vermont (“Monty”), picked up an injury in the four-star short at Bromont this month, where they finished second with a double jumping clear.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

Change to eventing World Championships line-up as Olympian withdraws

“Monty felt incredible in his final prep run for the worlds at Bromont Nations Cup last weekend. Unfortunately he came off [the cross-country] with a sprained fetlock and so we won’t have the privilege of representing Canada this fall in Italy,” she said.

“Best of luck to team Canada over there and I will be sending positive vibes your way.”

Colleen has been a pivotal part of Canada’s senior championship sides in recent years, partnering Qorry Blue D’Argouges in the Rio and Tokyo Olympics and 2018 World Equestrian Games.

Vermont, a 10-year-old gelding by Van Helsing out of a Heraldik XX mare, owned by Peter Barry, has a stellar four-star record, finishing in the top 10 on six of his nine starts at the level.

Colleen was named alongside Hawley Awad (JollyBo), Holly Jacks (Candy King), Karl Slezak (Fernhill Wishes) and Michael Winter (El Mundo) on the Canadian World Championship squad, which comprises a team of four and an individual spot.

You might also be interested in:

Bluffer’s guide to the World Eventing Championships – the jumps, the scoring and more

Pippa Roome: ‘It’s time to get on board with the World Championships – it’s not WEG’