Wingberry Farms welcomes Yann Candele as head trainer

October 15, 2013 · 0 Comments

Wingberry Farms of King City, welcomes Yann Candele, pictured here riding Brooklyn Blues, as head trainer.
Photo by Victoria Clermont

Wingberry Farms welcomes Yann Candele to its world-class facility in King City. The three-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion will act as head trainer of Wingberry Farms year-round.
The partnership sees Candele responsible for the training of all Wingberry Farms horses and clients, along with Candele’s current students who will move to Wingberry Farms to continue working with the Canadian Show Jumping Team veteran.
“We feel fortunate to have joined forces with a rider of Yann Candele’s calibre,” said Shawn Littler, owner and operator of Wingberry Farms. “Working with Yann will allow us to further develop our competition horses, bring along sales horses, and allow our clients to reach their full potential in a professional yet fun atmosphere.”
An amateur rider herself, Littler spoke to the enormous opportunity that having Candele as head trainer presents.
“We want people to know that a trainer with Yann’s expertise is both available and enthusiastic, and that he is willing to share his knowledge and train all riders, regardless of their level,” explained Littler. “We are really excited by what Yann brings to the sport and to Wingberry Farm.”
“I want to be able to give back to the sport and to pass on my knowledge,” said Candele, 42, who first made his Nations’ Cup debut in 2001. “I am looking forward to developing younger riders and horses at Wingberry Farms. The youth are the future of our sport, and they are our future Canadian team members.”
Candele will be based at Wingberry Farms in King for the majority of the year, supported by Wingberry Farms’ assistant trainer, Jill MacRae. From December to April, Candele and interested clients will move to Wellington, Florida, where they will have the opportunity to compete against the best riders in the world at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Those who choose to remain in Canada during the winter months will continue their training under MacRae’s guidance.
“Combining our businesses allows us to be open year-round, gives clients access to international competitions, and allows them to learn from someone with major games experience,” said Candele, who competed at the 2004 World Cup final in Milan, Italy, and was a member of Canada’s fifth placed team at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He was also the traveling alternate for the 2012 London Olympic Games and is representing the Canadian Show Jumping Team in competition in CSIO5* Barcelona, Spain, at the end of September.
“We look forward to developing a great team of people who enjoy the sport and are dedicated to it.”
Of the Wingberry Farms facility, Candele noted, “It’s in a prime location for people in the Toronto area, easy to access, and the facility is ideal for developing both horses and riders. With a heated indoor arena, grass and sand grand prix arena and tonnes of trails, the farm is truly at the top level.”
Situated on 100 acres approximately 25 minutes from Toronto, Wingberry Farms boasts 35 large stalls outfitted with SoftStall’s rubber matting system. Riding facilities include a large heated indoor arena with natural lighting and TravelRight footing, an outdoor sand arena with TR2 footing, and a grass grand prix field featuring natural obstacles and water jumps. In addition to its own trail system, Wingberry Farms backs on to approximately 500 acres of additional scenic hacking. Large grass paddocks allow for plenty of turn-out, while on-site staff ensures equine comfort and safety 24 hours a day.
“We are excited to offer our clients the opportunity to ride with such a knowledgeable, successful trainer, and to welcome new clients who want to learn from one of the best,” concluded Littler.
For more information on Wingberry Farms and training with Yann Candele, please visit www.wingberryfarms.com.