Ottawa, ON – Dressage Canada is pleased to announce that Robyn Eames of Stouffville, ON, has been named as the 2009 Dressage Canada Owner of the Year.
As Belinda Trussell’s mother, Eames has been involved with horses since purchasing Trussell’s first horse, a Trakehener gelding named Sonet. Since Trussell was born in Australia, she represented her native country in all Young Riders competitions while competing in Canada until 1994 when she became a Canadian citizen.
Currently, Eames owns Trussell’s top Grand Prix mount Anton, a nine-year-old German-bred gelding sired by Antaeus. Anton was purchased in Germany as a six-year-old, and Trussell has brought him up through the levels. 2009 marked the first year that the pair moved into the Grand Prix ring where they finished in third in the Grand Prix and won the Grand Prix Special at the CDI-W Blainville Summer Classic, second in the Grand Prix at the CDI-W Blainville International Classic and won Intermediaire II test at CDI-W Saugerties, NY.
Trussell and Anton were named as members of the 2009 Dressage Canada European Fall Competition Tour where they won the Intermediaire II test CDI-W Kaposvar, HUN, scoring 67.579%. On the second stop on the tour, in CDI3*Weikersdorf, AUS, Trussell and Anton tied for second place in the Grand Prix with 67.064% and earned a third finish in the Grand Prix Special, scoring 68.417%.
In July, Eames purchased a four-year-old Hanoverian, Biasini (Belissimo M x Davignon I) at the 2009 Verden Summer Auction of Hanoverian Riding Horses in Germany for Trussell to develop. In addition to owning high-level sport horses, Eames also has a pony named Hanky Panky that she hopes will cultivate her grandchildrens’ love of equestrian sport.
“Both Tony and I feel deeply appreciative and honoured to receive the Dressage Canada Owner of the year award,” said Eames. “We would also like to thank Christilot Boylen, because she took Belinda under her wing, recognizing that our daughter had the talent to go far in the world of dressage. Horses are indeed a big part of our lives, and we love all the horses that we have owned throughout the years.”
“My mother is such an incredible role model. She is the most generous person who expects nothing in return. She is always there with support and encouragement, for my riding and every aspect of my life,” said Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell. “My mom’s greatest pleasure is in helping others succeed, and she not only helps me but is constantly giving back to the sport.”
“We are delighted this year to recognize Robyn Eames as the Dressage Canada Owner of the Year,” said Dressage Canada chair, Sue Rothgeb. “Robyn has been a wonderful supporter of our sport for many years, and we take great pleasure in saluting her.”
John MacPherson accepted the 2009 Dressage Canada Owner of the Year award on behalf of Eames, who was unable to attend the Dressage Canada “A Celebration of Dressage” reception held November 12th at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON. Past winners of the Dressage Canada Owner of the Year Award include Karen Soupcoff (2003), Deryol Andrews (2004), Evi Strasser (2005), Doug Leatherdale (2006), Faith Berghuis (2007) and Ian and Moreen Nicoll (2008).
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