Canadian Dressage Riders Set Their Sights on the 2008 Olympic Dressage Team

Ottawa, ONâ€”Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the riders who have declared their intention to vie for a spot on Canadaâ€™s 2008 Olympic Dressage Team.

Declared riders for the Canadian Olympic Dressage Team:

Rider / Horse

Christilot Boylen / Gachino

Jacqueline Brooks / Gran Gesto

Jacqueline Brooks / Balmoral

Lorraine Chappell / Carpatino

Wendy Christoff / Pfalstaff

Diane Creech / Wiona

Suzanne Dutt-Roth / Rheirattack

Courtenay Fraser / Against All Odds

Ashley Holzer / Pop Art

Jaimey Irwin / Dover

Tina Irwin / Amicelli

Rochelle Kilberg / Argenta

Cheryl Meisner / Paganini

Cheryl Meisner / Tango

Leslie Reid / Orion

Leslie Reid / Pallas

Evi Strasser / Quantum Tyme

Chris Von Martels / Hesperos

Simone Williams / Wunder Ein

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Declared riders must submit three Grand Prix scores achieved at a CDI 3* or higher, with each submitted score being from a panel comprised of at least five FEI judges. The complete criteria is available on the Dressage Canada section of the Equine Canada site.

Long-time rider, supporter, judge and owner Alastair Buchanan of West Vancouver, BC, has been named as the chef dâ€™Ã©quipe for the 2008 Canadian Olympic Games Dressage Team. Buchanan, an elected member the Dressage Canada Board from 2003â€“2006, has attended the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens as an accredited Team supporter.

“I am honored to have been selected as chef dâ€™Ã©quipe for the 2008 Canadian Olympic Dressage Team. I look forward to serving the athletes in this capacity,” noted Buchanan. “I expect that my background experience as a horse owner, rider, dressage official, and volunteer organizing committee member, will serve the 2008 Olympic Dressage Team appropriately and efficiently.”

Returning to the position of Team Veterinarian is Dr. Jennifer Miller. Dr. Miller, who was also the vet for the Canadian dressage team for the 2007 and the 2003 Pan American Games, has been assisting the Canadian Equestrian Team for over 10 years. Originally from Hudson, QC, and currently has her own private practice in Cave Creek, AZ, Dr. Miller is an FEI Veterinarian and a longtime equine enthusiast. She has also been the vet for the Canadian Eventing Team from 2002â€“2005 and was the Canadian Eventing Team veterinarian for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Norbert von Laak, of Germany, will continue in his role as the team coach for the Canadian Dressage Team. Under the training of von Laak, the Team participated at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, and won the team silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, where Canada earned their 2008 Olympic berth.

Mike Gallagher will once again reprise his role as Team Leader for the Canadian Equestrian Team, with Kerri McGregor as Assistant Team Leader.

The equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games will be held August 9â€“21, 2008, at the world famous Hong Kong Jockey Club in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, with the cross country portion taking place at Beas River. Dressage kicks off on August 13th with the first of two days of competition in the Team Grand Prix medal class, and ends August 19th with the Individual Medal Grand Prix Freestyle class.

The judging panel will include:

Ground Jury President Mr. Gotthilf Riexinger (GER)

Member 2: Mr. Gary Rockwell (USA)

Member 3: Mr. Ghislain Fouarge (NED)

Member 4: Dr. Jean Michel Roudier (FRA)

Member 5: Mr. Leif Tornblad (DEN)

Member 6: Ms Minako Furuoka (JPN)

Member 7: Dr. Barnabas Mandi (HUN)

FEI Delegate Member 8: Mrs. Mariette Withages (BEL)

To date, there are 10 countries that have qualified teams including: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.

The official website for the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong is www.equestrian2008.org.