Canada wins Team Competition at the WindReach International CPEDI3*

Ashburn, ON – Canada claimed victory today over the United States in the Team competition at the WindReach International CPEDI3*.

Spectators took advantage of the beautiful weather to watch Canadian Team members Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, Eleonore Elstone of Langley, BC, Ashley Gowanlock of Langley, BC, and Jennifer McKenzie of Maple Ridge, BC secure the top spot in the Team portion of the competition.

“We are very pleased with all of the Canadian performances today, and are particularly proud to win the Team competition on home soil,” said Elizabeth Quigg-Robinson, Chef d’équipe for the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team. “This has been a great event to promote the sport of Para-Dressage as well as prepare riders for the upcoming World Equestrian Games.”

The highest Canadian score of the day was again achieved by Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC with a score of 67.460% on her Paralympic horse Maile in the Grade 2 class.

“I am very proud of my mare. She came into the ring in great form,” said Barwick, a Gold and Silver medalist from the 2008 Paralympic Games. “There were some rider errors on my part, but I am looking forward to competing in the Freestyle Test tomorrow, which will be a lot fun.”

Other notable Canadian performances included another win from Ashley Gowanlock of Langley, BC who took top place in the Grade 1b Individual Test with a score of 65.217% riding Donnymaskell owned by Sandy (Alexander) Mitchell; a second place finish from Tara Kowalski of Vancouver, BC in the Grade 1a Individual Test with a score of 63.833% riding MJ Fatal Attraction owned by Philippa Keegan and Rachael Tipper; and a first place finish from Eleonore Elstone of Langley, BC riding Why Not G owned by Kelleigh Kulcsar in the Grade 4 Individual Test with a score of

67.204%.

The top three results from each class were as follows:

Grade 1a Individual Test:

1st-     Laura Goldman (USA) riding Carlingfurd JD owned by Trudy Phillips with 72.167%

2nd-     Tara Kowalski (Vancouver, BC, CAN) riding MJ Fatal Attraction owned by Philippa Keegan and Rachael Tipper with 63.833%

3rd-     Kim Decker of (USA) riding Dashers Destiny owned by Paul Decker with 62.667%

Grade 1b Individual Test:

1st-     Ashley Gowanlock (Langley, BC, CAN) riding Donneymaskell owned by Sandy (Alexander) Mitchell with 65.217%

2nd –    Rosie Fahey (AUS) riding Narhan’s Gift owned by Laura Austin with 60.725%

3rd-     Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) riding Niekele fan Busenitz owned Joanne Bosma with 59.420%

Grade 2 Individual Test:

1st-     Lauren Barwick (Aldergrove, BC, CAN) riding Maile owned by Lauren Barwick with 67.460%

2nd-     Rebecca Hart (USA) riding Kazan owned by Kerri Sowers with 66.825%

3rd-     Jennifer McKenzie (Maple Ridge, BC, CAN) riding Sunbury Lodge Voodoo with 65.873%

Grade 3 Individual Test:

1st-     Erin Alberda (USA) riding Collo 5 owned by Peter Gray with 64.667%

2nd-     Yu-Jen Sun (Chinese Taipei) riding Legacy owned by Jacqueline Norman with 56.111%

3rd-     Beth Levine (USA) riding Cinnamon Girl owned by Lauren Adam with 42.000%

Grade 4 Individual Test:

1st-     Eleonore Elstone (Langley, BC, CAN) riding Why Not G owned by Kelleigh Kulscar with 67.204%

2nd-     James Dwyer (IRE) riding Orlando owned by James Dwyer with 66.022%

3rd-     Eleonore Elstone (Langley, BC, CAN) riding Lutke owned by Terry Bianco with 60.323%

Sunday will be the final day of the event, with 39 entries competing in the Freestyle Tests from Australia, Bermuda, Chinese Taipei, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the United States and Canada.

WindReach Farm is a 109-acre property located northeast of Toronto in Ashburn, Ontario. The farm is the life-long dream of founder Sandy Mitchell, an equestrian enthusiast born with cerebral palsy, and is designed to cater specifically to individuals with disabilities.