Yann Candele closing in on spot on Canadian equestrian team

Since he obtained his Canadian citizenship three years ago, Yann Candele has been a welcome addition to this country’s stable of top-notch equestrian riders.

And with a fine winter season and current summer schedule adding to his resume, the big carrot — that is, a spot on this fall’s world championship team — is perhaps within grasp.

“It’s very exciting,” agreed Candele, who at 65th is the second-highest ranked Canadian rider in the world. “That’s what we do. A major championship . . . Pan Am games, Olympic Games, the world championships . . . that’s what we’re trying for.”

With the 39-year-old’s success in 2010 and injuries to some top Canadian horses opening doors, he has to feel good about his chances.

“No one goes into the ring to fail,” he said. “Whether we’re representing Canada or ourselves, we’ll do the best we can do. When you prepare yourself to succeed, if the right thing will happen, it will happen.”

At Spruce Meadows this summer, the sun-baked Candele has copped a handful of top finishes astride his No. 1 steed, Pitareusa — with which he snared a pair of huge victories in Wellington, Fla., over the winter — as well as with Game Ready.

Originally from Normandy, France, he moved to Japan early in his career, becoming the first non-Japanese rider to win the Asian World Cup League. In 1999, a two-week visit with Canadian icon Eric Lamaze turned into a job as full-time coach, rider and trainer at Torrey Pines.

“I was looking to work in North America,” explained Candele, who is married to fellow rider Jennifer Wallace and runs his own facility, Normandy Hills, in Ontario. “I was just looking for an opportunity and with Eric, it happened. I met my wife during that time and then I became a Canadian.

“For me, it was making sense. My life is in Canada; my immediate family is in Canada. We like to jump at a high level, and if I was still French, the opportunity wouldn’t be available because I would have to go back to Europe to compete to have a chance to be part of any team there.”