Ashley Holzer Awarded 2009 Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year Award

Ottawa, ON – Equine Canada is proud to name Ashley Holzer the 2009 Equestrian of the Year Award.

As one of Canada’s most successful international dressage riders, Holzer won many Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle classes in 2009 with her talented 2008 Olympic mount Pop Art, a Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rusty Holzer and Moreen Nicoll.

In addition to her multiple Grand Prix victories, 2009 also saw Holzer and Pop Art earn top five finishes at both the CDI 5* Exquis World Dressage Masters in Wellington, FL, and Hickstead, GBR, as well as at the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, NV.

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Holzer was also named as the Red Scarf Equestrian Dressage Canada Athlete of the Month for February and May for her international dressage achievements.

“I am thrilled, extremely honoured and humbled to be named Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year — putting me in the company of so many incredible equestrians,” said Holzer. “I am very grateful to the Dressage Canada Board who have generously supported and nominated me. My thanks go out to all of Poppy’s fans, who cheer so loudly for him. I swear he loves it, and he tries even harder when he hears them. Lastly, my thanks go out to my great friends and amazing family who have always been there for me no matter what the result.”

In 1995 Equine Canada announced the creation of the Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year Award, in honour of Doctor George Jacobson. Dr. Jacobsen was a strong supporter of equestrian sport in Canada and internationally, with a particular interest in the young equestrians as he felt they were our future team members. This award is given annually to the equestrian who has demonstrated superior sportsmanship, dedication and the pursuit of excellence in equestrian competition for the current year.

At the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala, on Saturday, February 6, 2010, in Montreal, QC, Holzer was awarded the Doctor George Jacobsen Trophy.