Amy Millar addressed fan frenzy over a potential first-ever all-female Olympic equestrian team for Canada on opening day at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’, saying, “My most important goal is that we put forward our strongest team because it would be really, really fantastic and special.
“I really believe we have good enough horses and riders to get something good done there [at the upcoming Paris Olympics]. So that’s what I’m most excited about.”
Millar, who grew up riding at Spruce Meadows, was delighted to take the top spot aboard Christiano at the main event on day one of the ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex, June 6th.
And when prodded on whether she would enjoy being part of the first all-female squad in Paris, she conceded a little, adding: “Yes … I mean, I really like all of my teammates. Mostly I focus on what I can control and that is my own performance.”
Thursday’s test saw Amy take first in the 1.50m FEI event The Partners, with a clean 68.09 second finish, beating 18 competitors from nine different countries. These included Hannah Selleck of the USA who finished second riding Cloud 39, and fellow Canadian Erynn Ballard, third with Nikka VD Bisschop. The course for 1.50m The Partners was designed by FEI Level 4 course designer Marina Azebedo (BRA) and featured 11 obstacles and 13 jumping efforts.
A Special Way to Commemorate D-Day
Amy’s victory lap around the scenic All Canada Ring was lead by mounted troops from the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, as part of Spruce Meadows’ recognition of 80 years since Canada’s participation in the pivotal Second World War invasion known as D-Day.
President and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment, presented Amy with her trophy.
Amy added, “The amount of respect that this facility gives to all of Canada, and especially the military, is fantastic. When you look at the way the world is today you kind of wonder why we didn’t learn more from all of the sacrifices of the past. My grandfather served and that is always on my mind as well.”
Mission:Possible
Ireland’s Conor Swail took first place in the 1.45m Mission:Possible, the first of two CSI5* competitions on the All Canada Ring on Thursday, after beating a whopping 95 other entrants. Swail, atop 13-year-old gelding Gamble, owned by Asta Torokvei, posted a clear round in 64.28 seconds.
Mckayla Langmeier (USA), piloting Chadina, came in at a very close second with a time of 64.49 and zero faults. Cassio Rivetti (BRA) and Chaggall De Toscane were almost two seconds behind the winner with a clear round at 66.01.
Victory for Canada’s Hailey Dyck
Local rider Hailey Dyck of Calgary with her own HHS Sandy Lane, were victorious on the Rocky Mountain Ring in the final Coril Holdings 1.20m event of the day.
Kyle King (USA) came first with Diamond on the All Alberta ring in the 1.40m Coril Holdings contest.
Full results here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows Media
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