Ashley Holzer and Belinda Trussell Move Forward in Dressage at 2010 World Equestrian Games

Ashley Holzer of Toronto, ON, placed 12th and Belinda Trussell of Newmarket, ON finished in 21st place following today’s Grand Prix Dressage competition at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY. Both have qualified for Wednesday’s individual final, the Grand Prix Special.

In the final team placings, Canada finished seventh with a total score of 206.09, which is the Canadian Dressage Team’s best-ever finish at WEG. The Netherlands won the team gold with a total of 229.75, Great Britain earned silver with 224.77, and Germany took home bronze with 220.60.

Holzer, a 1988 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist, and Pop Art, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Moreen Nicoll and Rusty Holzer, earned a score of 70.383% for 12th place in the Grand Prix. The test acted as the Team Final as well as the first Individual qualifier.

“It was one of the best feeling tests that I have had in a long time. My horse feels great. He feels strong,” explained Holzer of her horse, Pop Art.  “I am very happy. Unfortunately we had a little mistake with the one-tempis, but I give a lot of thanks to my whole team, including vets, coaches, grooms and my other team members, who got us where we where today. He really felt like he was working with me, and there is a lot more horse in the tank for the Grand Prix Special tomorrow.”

Yesterday, Trussell rode Anton (Antaeus x Melit), a 10-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Robyn Eames, scoring 69.021% to finish in 21st place following the Grand Prix.

Canadian Olympian Bonny Bonnello of Calgary, AB also rode in Tuesday’s Grand Prix. Aboard Pikardi (Point Maker x Daimont), a 13-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding co-owned by Bonnello and Jean Bell, Bonnello scored 65.447% for 47th place.

 “I had two major mistakes, which was a surprise and the rest of my test was just awesome,” said Bonnello.  “It has been fabulous to be back on the Canadian Equestrian Team. I would like to thank my co-owners Jean and Bruce (Bell). They have been fantastic. I would also like to thank my supporters back home who have made this World Equestrian Games possible for me with fundraisers.”

Canada’s fourth team member, Victoria Winter of Toronto, ON competed in the Monday morning section of the Grand Prix, scoring 66.681% for an overall placing of 36th, riding Proton, Neil and Cindy Ishoy’s 16-year-old Baden-Wurttemburger gelding sired by Patriarch.

“I am, once again, very proud of everyone on our Canadian Team. They each did their very best and rode extremely well. I especially congratulate both Belinda and Ashley, who have both advanced to the Grand Prix Special. I know they will give it their all to try to make the top 15 that will go on to the Freestyle on Friday,” said Dressage Canada technical coach/advisor, Robert Dover. “I also want to commend and thank our great chef d’équipe, Gwynn Rooke, and assistant chef d’équipe, Gina Smith, for their hard work as well as team manager, Christine Peters, team veterinarian, Geoff Vernon, and a huge thanks to the grooms, personal trainers and all the supporters of Team Canada.”

“This was world-class sport and our group showed with class and great determination,” added Dover.

Following Wednesday’s Grand Prix Special, the top 15 riders in the standings move forward to the Grand Prix Freestyle, where the riders ride a choreographed pattern that contains a set number of technical requirements to music of their choice.

Currently, Edward Gal of The Netherlands is leading the individual rankings with a score of 84.043% riding Moorlands Totilas followed by Laura Bechtolsheimer of Great Britain, who earned 82.511% riding Mistral Hojris.  American Steffen Peters sits third with 78.596% riding Ravel.

For more information, including live results, please visit http://www.alltechfeigames.com/.
2010 World Equestrian Games—Provisional Individual Dressage Standings

Following Grand Prix

            Rider                                      Country                         Horse                    Score

1.         Edward Gal                       The Netherlands          Moorlands Totilas           84.043%

2.         Laura Bechtolsheimer          Great Britain              Mistral Hojris                82.511%

3.         Steffen Peters                   United States              Ravel                          78.596%

4.         Isabell Werth                     Germany                   Warum Nicht FRH          75.404%

5.         Juan Muñoz Diaz                Spain                        Fuego XII                     73.957%

12.        Ashley Holzer                     Toronto, ON               Pop Art                        70.383%

21.        Belinda Trussell                  Newmarket, ON          Anton                          69.021%

36.        Victoria Winter                   Toronto, ON               Proton                         66.681%

47.        Bonny Bonnello                  Calgary, AB                Pikardi                         65.447%

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