Calgary, AB, Canada – April 24, 2015 – Canada’s Ben Asselin (21) is pleased to announce that he recently joined a group of top international athletes competing in partnership with Hermès. Asselin, of Calgary, AB, has achieved numerous championship victories since his debut on the international show jumping scene as an 18-year-old in 2012. Hermès has always been committed to developing young potential in the riding world, and a press conference was held at the Saut Hermès FEI 5* Tournament during which this exciting new partnership was launched.
New Hermès partner rider, Ben Asselin. Photo © Giampaolo Vimercati.
Asselin trains and competes alongside his father, two-time Olympic veteran Jonathan Asselin, out of their family’s Attaché Stables. Among his many accolades, he was the only Canadian to jump double clear in the BMO Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO 5* this past September.
Asselin is thrilled to announce this new partnership and looks forward to the company’s support as his show jumping career continues to develop.
“I am incredibly honored to join in this prestigious partnership with Hermès, and I hope that I can represent them well,” Asselin stated. “Hermès is a brand that is recognized around the world. It represents both the highest of quality and respect for tradition. These are two things that are very important to me.”
“I have great respect for the company,” Asselin added. “It traces its roots in our sport back to the early 1800s. What is just as impressive to me is that Hermès continues to represent that tradition while still innovating and evolving with the horse sports. As I continue to make my way in this sport, it is great to have Hermès to partner with.”
Hermès joins with Kubota as the second major global brand to align itself with the rising star. After winning FEI championship medals at both the junior and young rider level, Asselin has enjoyed great early success both as an individual and Canadian Team member. Recent successes include being part of the gold medal team in the BMO Nations Cup at the 2014 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ and a team silver medal for Canada at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona last October.
Asselin has a busy schedule of competition this year and will proudly represent Hermès throughout the season. He competes next at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series with hopes of being selected for the Canadian Team for the 2015 Pan American Games.
About Ben Asselin
As the son of Canadian Olympian Jonathan Asselin and Nancy Southern, whose family owns the world-renowned show jumping venue Spruce Meadows, it is no surprise that Ben Asselin has chosen to follow in his family’s footsteps. In 2006, Asselin won the silver medal at the FEI Children’s International Jumping Final for riders aged 12 to 14. As a junior, Asselin posted a perfect score of five clear rounds riding Lolita to win the Individual Gold Medal at the 2010 FEI North American Junior Championships, also leading Alberta to Team Gold. As a result, Asselin was awarded the Gillian Wilson Trophy as Equine Canada’s ‘Junior Equestrian of the Year’ for 2010.
In 2012, Asselin made his senior Canadian Show Jumping Team debut as a member of the Nations’ Cup team in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The youngest member of the team, Asselin helped Canada tie for second place. In 2013, Asselin scored his first victory in the International Ring at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament, winning the $205,000 Encana Cup riding Makavoy. In 2014, he posted double clear rounds to lead Canada to victory riding Makavoy in the $300,000 BMO Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament. Asselin and Makavoy also helped Canada earn a silver medal at the 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona, Spain. For more information on Ben Asselin and Attaché Stables, please visit them on Facebook and follow Asselin on Instagram @benasselin13.