Hong Kong, China – Ashley Holzer of Toronto, ON, ended her third Olympic bid in 14th place individually at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, China.
Holzer was one of 15 athletes from the original starting field of 47 to qualify for the Individual Final held Tuesday night at the Sha Tin Olympic equestrian venue. In the Grand Prix Freestyle, which acts as the Individual Final, riders choreograph required technical movements to the music of their choice.
Performing to music from the Disney Epcot Center fireworks display and from the motion picture ‘National Treasure’, Holzer produced a harmonious test riding Pop Art that was highlighted by strong piaffe and passage work as well as impressive pirouettes and half-pass. At the end of her test, Holzer was smiling broadly as she came down the center line in passage to her final halt.
“I wanted it to be a symphony of music from beginning to end,†said Holzer, 44, of her Freestyle designed by Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage of Vancouver, BC. “I think it’s harmonious; it has peaks and valleys that keep the crowd interested.â€
The panel of five international judges rewarded Holzer with a score of 71.450%. Combined with her Grand Prix Special score of 68.76%, Holzer’s final average score was 70.105%.
“To be among the top in the world, to be in the company of these people, is an honour,†said Holzer, who won a Team Bronze Medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. “Coming here, I thought I would be a lot higher. I did. Do I wish it had gone better? Yes. But I made the Freestyle and to be on an honest horse is a great feeling. It’s something you can build on.â€
Holzer’s horse, Pop Art, is an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by her parents, Ian and Moreen Nicoll, and her husband, Rusty Holzer. Holzer competed in Hong Kong surrounded by her family, including her children Emma, 11, and Harry, 9.
When the Individual Medals were awarded, it was Anky Van Grunsven of the Netherlands who wore the Gold for the third consecutive Olympic Games. Germany filled the next two spots with Isabell Werth taking Silver riding Satchmo and Heike Kemmer earning the bronze with Bonaparte.
For more information, including live results, please visit www.fei.org/olympics.
2008 Olympic Games – Final Individual Dressage Standings
Rider Country Horse Total
Gold Anky van Grunsven The Netherlands Salinero 78.680%
Silver Isabell Werth Germany Satchmo 76.650%
Bronze Heike Kemmer Germany Bonaparte 74.450%
4. Steffen Peters United States Ravel 74.150%
5. Hans Peter Minderhoud The Netherlands Nadine 73.035%
6. Alexandra Korelova Russia Balagur 72.625%
7. Emma Hindle Great Britain Lancet 72.345%
8. Kyra Kyrklund Finland Max 71.985%
9. Bernadette Pujals Mexico Vincent 71.675%
10. Jan Brink Sweden Briar 71.205%
11. Andreas Helgstrand Denmark Don Schufro 70.675%
12. Tinne Silfven Sweden Solos Carex 70.345%
13. Courtney King United States Mythilus 70.175%
14. Ashley Holzer Toronto, ON Pop Art 70.105%
15. Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein Denmark Digby 69.110%
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