Born in Normandy, France, Yann Candele’s parents encouraged he and his older brother to actively pursue sports. Once Candele tried riding at the age of ten, horses became his main focus and within two years he was competing. A promising junior rider, Candele was twice named to the French team for the European Junior Championships, an international event for riders’ aged 14-18. Competing throughout Europe and sponsored by Samsung (France), Candele got his first taste of the big time.
Upon completion of his final year of school, Candele moved to Japan to work for Katsumi Yoshida, owner of thoroughbred racing’s Shadai Farm. Candele won the 1991-1992 Asian World Cup League, making him the only non-Japanese rider to date to ever accomplish this feat. Unfortunately, quarantine requirements for his stallion, Orkey, prevented Candele from competing at the 1992 World Cup Final in Del Mar, California.
Candele was forced to return to France to complete his required civilian service where, luckily, his athlete status allowed him to work in the cavalry unit. Having served ten months, Candele returned home to Normandy to work for Jean-Pierre Vilaut who provided Candele with top mounts including Palestro II, a selle francais stallion who had been leased to the fourth-placed Spanish team for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. With Palestro II, Candele won three grand prix events, including CSI-A Cannes, to qualify for the French National Championships where they placed eighth overall.
In 1999, Candele moved to North America and a two-week visit with Canadian Equestrian Team member Eric Lamaze soon turned into a full-time job of coaching, riding and training at Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stables in Schomberg, Ontario. While competing on the Canadian circuit, Candele continued to represent his native France and, in September of 2001, made his Nations’ Cup debut at his favourite Canadian show, the CSIO Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament. He has since made other Nations' Cup appearances and, in 2004, rode Mill Creek Sweet Dream in his first World Cup Final in Milan, Italy.
In 2007, Candele opened his own training business, Normandy Hills, in Cheltenham, Ontario, and began riding a string of top horses, including Grand Prix mounts Mustique and Bequia, for owner Susan Grange.
When not riding, Candele can be found on the golf course or cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Candele and fellow show jumping athlete, Jennifer Wallace, have two sons, Alexandre, born in August of 2003, and Tate, born in October of 2005.
Bequia
1997 bay Dutch Warmblood mare, 16.2hh by Polydox
Owner: Susan Grange
Mustique
1997 chestnut Dutch Warmblood mare by Indoctro
Owner: Susan Grange
Game Ready
2000 bay Dutch Warmblood gelding by Andiamo
Owner: Susan Grange
Split Decision
2000 chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding by Calido
Owner: Susan Grange
(unnamed)
2000 bay Belgian Warmblood mare by Dominard
Owner: Susan Grange
Ariana
2001 bay Dutch Warmblood mare by Oklund
Owner: Susan Grange
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