Six of the Canadian dressage athletes declaring for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be backed by the moral support of their country and the financial support of the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP). To promote the advancement of Canadian dressage in the world rankings, C-DAAP has awarded Canada’s high-performance dressage athletes with over $210,000 since 2012. This summer, a record number of riders applied for the total of $80,000 (with a maximum of $20,000 to be awarded to any one rider) that C-DAAP offered. After careful consideration by the C-DAAP Advisory Council, the following combinations were chosen to receive funding to train for and compete in the 2016 Olympics:
Belinda Trussell with Anton
Megan Lane with Caravella
Karen Pavicic with Don Daiquiri
Jacqueline Brooks with D Niro
Christilot Boylen with Drentano
Brittany Fraser with All In
Funding criteria for 2015/2016 outlined that applicants must be Grand Prix riders declaring to ride for Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games, and must have competed at the Grand Prix level of CDI 3* and above within the last two years. Applicants were required to submit a one page Letter of Intent indicating their intention to declare for the Olympics in Rio and outlining their requirement for funds, their business plan, and the amount of funds they require. Each applicant could apply as only one rider/horse combination.
Congratulations go to all six of the grant recipients. C-DAAP is excited to watch these riders as they attempt to qualify for Rio, and to be with them every stride of the way.
The Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program relies on the support of individuals and corporate sponsors to make this source of funding possible for Canada’s high-performance dressage athletes. The organization awards 100% of all funding to riders. For more information about C-DAAP and to find out how you can help, visit www.cdaap.ca and view C-DAAP’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CanadianDressageAAP.
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