Gwynne Rooke Nominated as Canadian Dressage Chef d’équipe for WEG

Ottawa, ON – Dressage Canada is pleased to announce that they have nominated Gwynne Rooke, of Stouffville, ON, as the chef d’équipe for Canada’s dressage team heading to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The games run from September 25–October 10, 2010.

“Having the games on this continent is exciting,” said Rooke. “I know most of the athletes quite well. Their professional behaviour under demanding situations is much valued. I look forward to the opportunity to work with them once again in the pursuit of the goal of delivering their best ever performances.”

Rooke has been an Equine Canada official since 1983, when she received her Recorded Steward Status. She went on to become an Equine Canada Senior Dressage Steward in 1985, and was given her FEI Dressage Steward Status in early 2007.

In addition to being a Dressage Steward, Rooke was chair of the Canadian Equestrian Dressage Team from 1987 to 1992, and was the chef d’équipe for the bronze medal winning Dressage Team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Korea, as well as the gold medal teams at both the 1987 and 1991 Pan American Games. Rooke was also chef d’équipe for the 2004 Athens Olympic Dressage Team. A long-serving volunteer, Rooke has been involved in the organization of competitions for many years and has also served a term as chair of Dressage Canada’s Senior High Performance Committee.

Tickets to WEG Still Available

For those wishing to cheer on our dressage athletes under Rooke’s capable guidance, Dressage Canada has purchased some great ticket packages.

“Dressage has a limited number of tickets still available for purchase,” said Christine Peters, Equine Canada Manager, Dressage. “The tickets come in complete packages, so purchasers would get tickets for the entire Dressage competition — Grand Prix, Days 1 and 2, plus the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.”

The ticket packages are $875 (CDN) each. “The seating is prime with all the Canadians sitting directly behind C,” added Peters.

Dressage Canada also has a few select hotel rooms available for interested dressage enthusiasts. The rooms are at the official Canadian hotel — the Griffen Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. This is the same hotel where all the Canadian athletes will be staying. The room rate is $329/night plus taxes and the hotel rooms are booked for arrival on Sept 26th for seven nights.

For more information, visit the Dressage Canada website (www.equinecanada.ca/dressage) and click on the “WEG 2010 Ticket Package Special” ad.