The Canadian Para-Equestrian Dressage Team kicked off 2016 in a big way, claiming many top finishes at the CPEDI 3* held Jan. 8-10 as part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL.
In addition to being the first major competition of 2016 for the Canadian Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Wellington CPEDI 3* marked several other ‘firsts’ for the Canadian riders.
For multiple riders, including two-time Paralympian and Right To Play ambassador, Ashley Gowanlock of Surrey, BC, it was their first-ever competition with a new mount. Gowanlock stepped into the ring with Why Not Me (San Remo x Rossini), a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Lauren Massey, for the first time on Jan. 8 in the Grade 1b division, earning third place in the Team Test on a score of 63.267%.
However, she bested this score on a second mount, Ferdonia 2 (Don Gregory x Castro), a 16-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by teammate, Lauren Barwick. Together, Gowanlock and Ferdonia 2 earned 64.200% in the Team Test for second place.
The following day, Gowanlock racked up two more top placings in the Individual Test, earning 66.473% with Ferdonia 2 for second place, and 65.690% for third place aboard Why Not Me. She capped off the CPEDI 3* with an impressive win in the Freestyle Test, where she rode Ferdionia 2 to a score of 71.000%.
“It was icing on the cake to win the Freestyle with beautiful Ferdonia,” Gowanlock said of her first competition of 2016. “Her and I have been partnered together on and off for four years, and she’s always ready and willing to jump in at the last minute and be my teammate.”
Commenting on her first competition experience with Why Not Me, Gowanlock stated, “He went into the ring every time and did his best to understand what I wanted from him. He has a huge heart, a clever mind, and is ever the gentleman. I’m extremely grateful to Lauren Massey for allowing me to dance with her lovely boy.”
Three-time Paralympian and 2015 Canadian Disability Hall of Fame Inductee, Lauren Barwick of Langley, BC was also competing with a new partner, Onyx, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Equine Canada and sired by Wolkentanz. Contesting the Grade II division, the duo earned second place finishes across the board on scores of 67.549% in the Team Test, 68.000% in the Individual Test, and the highlight of 73.583% in the Freestyle.
Also racking up three second place finishes was 2012 Paralympian Jody Schloss of Toronto, ON, who contested the Grade 1a division aboard her recently acquired mount, Lieutenant Lobin (Lobster x Fanal Prydsholm), a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding. Their final scores tallied up at 70.507% in the Team Test, 69.420% in the Individual Test, and 68.750% in the Freestyle.
Robyn Andrews of St. Johns, NL was also in the ribbons in the Grade 1a division, scoring 66.449% for fourth place in the Team Test aboard her 2014 World Equestrian Games partner, the 15-year-old Friesian/Andalusian mare, Fancianna.
The Wellington CPEDI 3* was also the first time the Canadians were supported by Equine Canada’s new Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Manager, David Hunter.
“I was very impressed with my first competition with the Canadian Para-Equestrian Dressage Team,” said Hunter, who previously spent 13 years with the Great Britain Para Dressage Team, helping them earn team gold medals at all major games, including European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games. “The Canadian Team was very welcoming, and I know they have the ability to excel on the international stage. The scores went up day by day this week, which is what we want to see. I am very much looking forward to being with them again for the second international competition in Wellington, coming up this month.”
For more information and complete results from the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, click here.
Top Canadian Results – CPEDI 3* Wellington
FEI Para Team Test – Grade 1a
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Jody Schloss / Lieutenant Lobin / Jody Schloss / 70.507%
4th / Robyn Andrews / Fancianna / Julia Handt / 66.449%
FEI Para Individual Champ Test – Grade 1a
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Jody Schloss / Lieutenant Lobin / Jody Schloss / 69.420%
FEI Para Freestyle Test – Grade 1a
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Jody Schloss / Lieutenant Lobin / Jody Schloss / 68.750%
FEI Para Team Test – Grade 1b
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Ashley Gowanlock / Ferdonia 2 / Lauren Barwick / 64.200%
3rd / Ashley Gowanlock / Why Not Me / Lauren Massey / 63.267%
FEI Para Individual Champ Test – Grade 1b
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Ashley Gowanlock / Ferdonia 2 / Lauren Barwick / 66.437%
3rd / Ashley Gowanlock / Why Not Me / Lauren Massey / 65.690%
FEI Para Freestyle Test – Grade 1b
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
1st / Ashley Gowanlock / Ferdonia 2 / Lauren Barwick / 71.000%
FEI Para Team Test – Grade II
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Lauren Barwick / Onyx / Equine Canada / 67.549%
FEI Para Individual Champ Test – Grade II
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Lauren Barwick / Onyx / Equine Canada / 68.000%
FEI Para Freestyle Test – Grade II
Placing / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
2nd / Lauren Barwick / Onyx / Equine Canada / 73.583%
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