A 16-year-old rider from High River was ecstatic when she got the news she'll be joining Team Canada at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Cup in the Netherlands next summer.

Brianna Carr says she submitted her application and was selected as a rider to compete in the reining and cutting events next July with the team made up of five riders and two alternates from across the country.

Carr's list of achievements make her no stanger to the reining world.

"I have been showing reining since I was six or seven years old," she explains. "In the past year, I did it a little bit more heavily, and I went down to the North American Affiliate Championships and ended up getting second there, and I went to Nationals the same year and came home with four titles."

However, Carr has a bit of a challenge ahead of her with cutting, as she's never competed in the event before.

"They thought it would be one of the better fits of the people among the team, so I get to learn how to try to cut at a world class level within six or seven months. That'll be an interesting learning curve, but I'm looking forward to it."

She says the horses will be supplied, where they only have one day before the show to practice with their new mount.

The Team Canada riders will be meeting up sometime this Spring, Carr says, where they will meet at the Coach's place for team building, riding and meet the team manager as well.

The Youth World Cup is an educational, leadership-based event with competitors from 19 countries participating in equestrian clinics, leadership seminars in addition to the competition.

"This is a dream come true to be able to represent Canada," Carr said. "Especially in doing what I love so much."

Carr says the Team is also looking to raise $60,000 in sponsorship for the team, with about $7,000 for each member to get across to the Netherlands.

For more details, or to contact the team about sponsorhip oppurtunities, you can visit their Facebook page.