Canadian Riders Victorious at Saddleworld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3*

Ottawa, ON – Eleonore Elstone, Ashley Gowanlock, Tara Kowalski, and Jennifer McKenzie achieved a second place team finish for Canada at the Saddleworld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* held December 10–13, 2009 in Werribee, Australia.

Paralympian Jennifer McKenzie of Maple Ridge, BC, achieved first place finishes aboard Sunbury Lodge Voodoo (owned by Jami Hurley) in the Grade II Team test and the Grade II Individual test, with scores of 68.667% and 68.273% respectively. McKenzie narrowly missed a clean sweep, placing second in the Grade II Freestyle test with a score of 68.889%.

“I was so privileged to be able to ride Sunbury Lodge Voodoo, a very handsome, black gelding owned by Jami Hurley and to be coached by Mary Longden, who had sourced this wonderful horse for me. We had an instant connection and he was fantastic to ride,” said McKenzie.

Other notable finishes included Paralympian Eleonore Elstone of Langley, BC, who rode Flowervale Metallic (owned by Danielle Fraillon), placing second in the Grade IV Team test with a score of 66.571%, third in the Grade IV Individual test with a score of 65.355%, and third in the Grade IV Freestyle test with a score of 71.091%.

Fellow Paralympian Ashley Gowanlock, of Surrey, BC, rode AEA Abel Rex (owned by Nicola Hayes) to a third place finish in the Grade Ib Individual test with a score of 64.190%, followed by a sixth place finish in the Grade Ib Team test with a score of 61.765%, and a fifth place finish in the Grade 1b Freestyle test with a score of 62.037%.

Tara Kowalski, a resident of Chilliwack, BC, made her international competition debut at the Saddleworld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3*, placing fourth in the Grade 1a Team test aboard BP Winterstern (owned by Erin Dunne) with a score of 61.059%.

Kowalski and McKenzie also achieved their FEI certificate of capability at the event, which makes them eligible to qualify for the 2010 World Equestrian Games alongside their fellow teammates.

The international judging panel at the the SaddleWorld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* included Anne Prain (FRA—FEI O), Jan Geary (AUS—FEI O), Marc Urban (BEL—FEI I), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED—FEI O) and Wendy Barker (AUS—FEI C).