Canadian Eventers Victorious at Richland Park Horse Trials

Canadian Eventing WEG Squad members Selena O’Hanlon and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch rode to victory at the 2010 edition of the Richland Park Horse Trials, held August 26-29, in Richland, MI – a competition designated as an important warm-up for competitors heading for the World Equestrian Games in September.

O’Hanlon, of Elgin, ON, and her 2008 Olympic partner Colombo a 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, owned by Elaine and Michael Davies, won the CIC 3* division. The pair was tied for third following the dressage test, scoring 50.80. A fault-free performance on cross country over the Ian Stark designed course kept the pair in third spot heading in to the jumping phase. They navigated Richard Jeffrey’s jumping course without a fault and completed as the only pair in the CIC 3* division to finish on their dressage score.

“Colombo was fantastic from the start. Our dressage was a huge improvement. The cross country had lots to do out there and the ground was quite hard, so I wanted to make the time and jump clean and safe. I was very nervous for the show jumping due to my standing. I was happy it was on grass, because I find he has more energy and is lighter and quicker on his feet when he is not on sand,” said O’Hanlon. “He is a fantastic horse and I am very happy for him to have a big win in his lifetime. He is a world class horse, and has had to put up with me learning as we go. A huge thanks to David O’Connor for all his help.”

WEG Squad member Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, and Exponential, her own 12-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding, also finished the 3* division in the top ten. The pair added only 1.20 cross country time penalties to their dressage score of 59.70 to finish in ninth place with 60.90.

Peter Barry of Dunham, QC, and Kilrodan Abbott, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by the rider and Susan Barry, finished in 15th place with a score of 68.90.

Phoenix and her second horse, Exploring, her own 13-year-old thoroughbred gelding, finished in 17th spot with 72.00, while Danica Moore of Salmon Arm, BC, riding Dunlavins Token, her own 10-year-old Argentinean Warmblood gelding, finished just behind Phoenix in 18th with a final score of 72.20. Micheline Jordan who currently resides in Ocala, FL, finished in 19th place with her own Irish Diamonds, a 12-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding.

Victorious the Advanced Division B was Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch of Summerland, BC, with her own and Patricia Bosch’s Port Authority, a Canadian-bred 12-year-old Selle Français/Thoroughbred gelding. The pair posted another double clear cross country and show jumping to finish on their dressage score of 31.70. WEG Squad partners Diana Burnett of Blackstock, ON and Manny, 10-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding owned by Burnett and Eventing Canada finished with a score of47.40 for ninth place, while Kyle Carter, originally from Calgary, AB, and Madison Park, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider and Jennifer Carter, were in 10th with a score of 65.10. Competing in Advanced Division A was Ian Roberts of Port Perry, ON, and the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Napalm, co-owned by Ian, Kelly Plitz and Tracey Newman. The pair moved up from 15th spot after dressage, and finished on their dressage score of 41.30, which was good for seventh place

In the CIC 2* division, Frankie Simpson of Orangeville, ON, rode her own Watson’s Shelbreen, an 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare, to third place, also finishing on her dressage score of 59.40 — the fourth Canadian horse/rider combination at Richland Park Horse Trials to accomplish the feat. Diana Burnett of Blackstock, ON, and Shigatzi, a seven-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred mare owned by the rider and Valerie Eden, added 10.40 cross country time penalties to their dressage score to finish in ninth place with 65.10. Close behind Burnett was Moore, who finished in 10th place, with her second horse, Utah B, her own nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. O’Hanlon and her second ride, A First Romance, an eight-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding O’Hanlon co-owns with Sean Dennis, earned an 11th place.

American Sinead Halpin riding Manoir de Carneville won the CIC 2* division with a score of 49.40.

Canadian WEG Squad members now head to their last preparatory competition at the American Eventing Championships held at Chattahoochee Hills Farm in Fairburn Georgia, September 9–13, 2010.

For complete results please visit http://www.richlandpark.com/.