Press Release "Jump Canada": Characteristics Chris Pratt

Hometown: Belfountain, Ontario

Birthdate: April 18, 1969

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario

Occupation: Full-time athlete, trainer and coach

Stable: Epic Stables

After spending his early years growing up in the city Chris longed for a horse. When his father inherited a farm north of Toronto, Chris finally got his wish and his father traded four goats for what would become a lifelong commitment for Chris.

The first sign that Pratt was destined for greatness came in 1994 when he topped the Kanatek Talent Squad and was also the winner of the Firestone Development Scholarship. At the 1996 Friendship Festival in Fort Erie, Chris won the Grand Prix aboard Davos and, at the Royal Winter Fair in November, they tied for first place in the $15,000 Swiss Bank Puissance after both he and American, McLain Ward successfully cleared the wall at the highest height available to them. The highlight of the 1997 season was a win in the $50,000 Audi Grand Prix at the Collingwood Horse Show.

In 2002 Chris began riding for Sue Grange’s Lothlorien Stables and his grand prix career skyrocketed. With several quality horses to show, Chris enjoyed numerous wins in 2004, including back-to-back victories in the $40,000 Classic @ Palgrave Grand Prix in Palgrave, ON riding Markant.

Chris’ 2005 season proved to be even more successful, and earned him a spot on his first Nations’ Cup Team. After winning the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier at the CSI-W Kubota Collingwood Classic, in Collingwood, ON and the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Tournament of Champions in Palgrave, ON, Chris finished the season tied for first in the Canadian League World Cup Standings.

After helping the Canadian Team capture the $75,000 CN Nations’ Cup, at the CN Wellington Finale CSIO 5*, in Florida, USA early in the 2006 season, Chris returned to Canada where he has been a force to be reckoned with. At the Kubota Bromont International in Quebec, Chris won the $125,000 CN Grand Prix with Rivendell, as well as the Kubota Cup Grand Prix with Bequia. In August Chris had a dream come true when he represented Canada at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

In addition to riding, Chris is also a successful coach. In August, 1996, he coached the Ontario team at the North American Young Riders Championships to a bronze medal and, in 1997, helped them better that result with a silver.

In 2008 Chris opened Epic Stables just outside of Los Angeles. He is still going strong with about 25 horses in training for