Ashley Holzer Scores Two Top Five Finishes at CDI 5* EXQUIS World Dressage Masters

Ottawa, ON— Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer placed fifth amongst world class competition in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI5* EXQUIS World Dressage Masters, held at Dressage at Hickstead, in Great Britain, July 20–26, 2009. The EXQUIS World Dressage Masters sponsors the top five dressage shows in the world in 2009, offering lucrative prize money and attracting the world’s best dressage riders.

Originally from Toronto, ON, but now a resident of New York, NY, Holzer scored 73.191% in the Grand Prix test on Saturday July 25 with Pop Art (Amsterdam x Cabochon), a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rusty Holzer and Ian and Moreen Nicoll. The top six in this class moved onto the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday, July 26.

“I was thrilled that he made the trip and came out within a few days and did another stellar job,” said Holzer. “He was a little tense when he saw the all the people, but as usual he calmed right down and went to work.”

In the Freestyle, Holzer and Pop Art earned an overall score of 77.200% from the panel of judges, and received artistic scores up to 83%. Choreographed by Canada’s Karen Robinson, their performance is set to music from Disney Epcot Center’s fireworks display and from the motion picture National Treasure. “I am very pleased that we were fifth again in the Freestyle with a score of over 77%,” added Holzer.

Also competing in the CDI5* Grand Prix was Canadian Olympian Evi Strasser from Sainte-Adèle, QC. Paired with her long-time partner Quantum Tyme, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quattro x Argentinius), Strasser scored 65.702% and finished in 14th place. Strasser and Quantum Tyme competed in Sunday’s Grand Prix Special, finishing in 10th place overall with a score of 64.667%.

“Quantum was in great form in the Grand Prix. Even with me forgetting to execute the rein back in the test we still received a score of 65.79,” said Strasser. “This is the year to polish the new Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special tests. We want to be in peak performance for next year.” Dressage at Hickstead was also host of a CDI3*, in which Strasser competed her young Grand Prix mount, Action Tyme, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Aktuell x Aleksander). The pair finished in 13th place in the Grand Prix and 11th place in Grand Prix Special.

“This was Action Tyme’s second time competing at Grand Prix level, and he is getting better with every ride,” Strasser continued. “We have all year to get the tests perfect and to let him grow in this level.”

The international judging panel at the FEI competition included Wim Ernes (FEI O—NED), Katrina Wuest (FEI O—GER), Jaques Van Dael (FEI I—BEL), Wojtek Markowski (FEI O—POL), Stephen Clarke (FEI O—GBR), Peter Holler (FEI I—GER), Marietta Almasy (FEI I—FRA), Isobel Wessels (FEI I—GBR) and Karin Krüger (FEI I—DEN).

Complete results may be found at http://www.cso.dsl.pipex.com/results/events/2009/20090720.htm.