Hong Kong, China – Ashley Holzer of Toronto, ON, placed 19th in Thursday’s Grand Prix Dressage competition to qualify for the individual competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, China.
In the final team placings, Canada finished ninth with an average score of 63.514%. Germany won the Team Gold with a total of 72.917%, The Netherlands earned Silver with 71.750%, and Denmark took Bronze with 68.875%.
Holzer, a 1988 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist, performed the Grand Prix, which acted as the Team Final as well as the first Individual qualifier, and earned a score of 67.042% to place 19th overall in the individual standings. The top 25 riders move forward to Saturday night’s Grand Prix Special, which is the second of three phases of individual competition.
“He stumbled on the first extension and that got his balance a little off; he’s not used to doing that,†explained Holzer of her horse, Pop Art, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Ian and Moreen Nicoll and Rusty Holzer. “I was getting back on track, but he stumbled again in the zig zag. He is capable of getting a score of 70, 71 percent, but you can’t make a mistake. I tripped twice! The rest I thought was pretty good considering the venue.â€
Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON, also performed the Grand Prix on Thursday, earning a score of 63.750% to place 29th. Her partner is Gran Gesto, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch.
“He was a good boy, everything I asked him to do, he did,†said Brooks, 40. “He didn’t make any mistakes. He gave me everything he’s got. I was thrilled with him.â€
Of her Olympic debut, Brooks said, “It is fantastic. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life! I came to this sport quite late and I plan to be here at least through London, so the experience I have here will help me train the next horse to this level.â€
Canada’s third team member, Leslie Reid, 52, of Langley, BC, competed in Wednesday night’s section of the Grand Prix, scoring 59.750% for an overall placing of 44th. Her partner is Orion, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by George and Patricia Hatch.
Holzer, 44, will have another opportunity to showcase her skills in Saturday evening’s Grand Prix Special. Following that, the top 15 riders in the standings move forward to the Grand Prix Freestyle, which sees the athletes choreograph required technical music to the music of their choice.
“The Special is his big test, he can really shine, and I have a brilliant Freestyle,†noted Holzer with optimism.
Currently, Isabell Werth of Germany is leading the individual rankings with a score of 76.417% riding Satchmo followed by her long-time rival, Anky van Grunsven of The Netherlands, who earned 74.750% riding Salinero. Germany’s Heike Kemmer sits third with 72.250% riding Bonaparte.
2008 Olympic Games – Provisional Individual Dressage Standings Following Grand Prix
Rider Country Horse Score
1. Isabell Werth Germany Satchmo 76.417%
2. Anky van Grunsven Netherlands Salinero 74.750%
3. Heike Kemmer Germany Bonaparte 72.250%
4. Emma Hindle Great Britain Lancet 71.125%
5. Imke Schellekens-Bartels Netherlands Sunrise 70.875%
6. Kyra Kyrklund Finland Max 70.583%
7. Courtney King United States Mythilus 70.458%
Canadians
19. Ashley Holzer Toronto, ON Pop Art 67.042%
29. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Gran Gesto 63.750%
44. Leslie Reid Langley, BC Orion 59.750%
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