Ashley Holzer of Toronto, ON, finished in eighth place individually in the Freestyle competition 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) held in Lexington, KY.
Holzer was one of 15 athletes from the original starting field of 66 to qualify for the Friday night competition at the Main Stadium. Her freestyle was designed by fellow Canadian Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage, and included music from the Disney Epcot Center Fireworks display and from the motion picture “National Treasure.” Holzer performed a powerful and energetic test with Pop Art, riding him perfectly in time with the music. The panel of five international judges rewarded Holzer’s performance with a score of 76.550%.
“I am thrilled. It was a huge crowd and I don’t think we have ever performed in front of a crowd that large,” said Holzer, who won a Team Bronze Medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. “We took him in the stadium last night and we had a plan for tonight. I have a great team behind me and I could not have done it with out them. My horse showed the fact that he had so many people work to make this ride the best ever he has ever done in a freestyle.”
“It is so great that it comes together a time like this — in front of my friends, family and supporters, many of whom have come all the way from Canada and New York to support me,” added Holzer. “I have a really great horse.”
Pop Art, Holzer’s 2008 Olympic mount, is a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by her mother, Moreen Nicoll, and her husband, Rusty Holzer.
“Ashley and Pop Art were simply fantastic tonight and earned every bit of their 8th place in the world! A magnificent accomplishment that all Canadians can be proud of,” said Robert Dover, the Dressage Canada technical coach/advisor.
When the Freestyle Medals were awarded, it was Edward Gal of the Netherlands who won Gold with Moorlands Totilas with the phenomenal score of 91.800%. Great Britain’s Laura Bechtolsheimer won silver with a score of 85.350% with Mistral Hojris, and Steffen Peters of the United States and Ravel were awarded the bronze medal with a score of 84.850%.
2010 World Equestrian Games — Freestyle Dressage Standings
Rider – Country – Horse – Total Score
Gold – Edward Gal – The Netherland – Moorlands Totilas – 91.800%
Silver – Laura Bechtolsheimer – Great Britain – Mistral Hojris – 85.350%
Bronze – Steffen Peters – United State – Rave – 84.850%
4. Imke Schellekens-Bartels – The Netherlands – Hunter Douglas Sunrise – 74.792%
5. Juan Muñoz Diaz – Spain – Fuego XII – 81.450%
8. Ashley Holzer – Toronto, ON – Pop Art – 76.550 %
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