Canadian Eventing Team in 12th Heading into Cross-Country in Rio

The Canadian Eventing Team is holding down 12th place after the completion of the initial dressage phase on Aug. 7, 2016 at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, BRA.

The Canadians were sitting in ninth place as a team after the first day of dressage on Aug. 6, which saw 33 of 65 athletes compete, including Canada’s Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON and Kathryn Robinson of Kettering, GBR. Following rides by Colleen Loach from Dunham, QC and Rebecca Howard from Marlborough, GBR, Canada is in 12th place on a team total of 150.80 heading into the cross-country phase, set for Aug. 8. Germany is holding on to their day one lead with a score of 122. France has taken over second place (122.20), bumping Australia into third (126.40).

Up first for Canada on day two of the dressage phase was Colleen Loach, 33, from Dunham, QC, who was making her Olympic debut aboard Qorry Blue d’Argouges, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding sired by Mr. Blue and owned by Peter Barry. Despite a hiccup at the beginning of her test when feedback from the speakers momentarily distracted Qorry Blue d’Argouges, Loach finished strong and earned a score of 56.50 penalties from the judges, putting her in 51st place individually.

Scroll to continue with content

“It was really unfortunate (about the speaker feedback), he felt so good coming into the ring,” commented Loach, who has been partnered with Qorry Blue d’Argouges for two years. “I just told myself to put it behind me and just think about the next two movements. He was good for the rest of the test, but I don’t think we quite had the presence we might have had without the mishap.”

Although this is Loach’s first time competing at the Olympics, she came in with prior experience, having groomed for Qorry Blue d’Argouge’s owner, Peter Barry, at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Loach spoke about the experience and how it provided her with an advantage heading into her first Games as an athlete.

“You get to know the whole team dynamic and how everything works before actually having the pressure of riding, so I think it’s helpful. It’s a bit different being here as a rider. I love competing and riding and I’m super proud and happy to be here,” said Loach.

Wrapping up the dressage phase for Canada was Howard, 37, and her veteran partner, Riddle Master (Rodero x Eyes to Rule), a 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse owned by Blithe Hill Farm. A smooth test that earned marks up to 7.5 and 8 for individual movements put Howard’s overall score at 49.40 penalties. Interestingly, this caused a tie for 41st place in the individual standings between Howard and teammate, Phoenix.

“I was quite happy with (Riddle Master), he stayed quite rideable in there with good relaxation,” said Howard of her long-time mount, who was also her partner at the London 2012 Olympic Games. “He’s a horse that has a ton of quality in the way that he goes. He’s a special boy. It will be hard to have another one like him, for sure. His breeders (Blithe Hill Farm) still own him and have followed his whole journey, so that’s been a pretty cool journey for us all. He’s taught me a lot. He keeps me thinking, and he’s just a wonderful athlete – they don’t come any better.”

The cross-country phase, always a fan favourite, will get underway on Aug. 8 with athletes challenging a course built by FEI 4* course designer Pierre Michelet of France, featuring 33 obstacles and 45 jumping efforts over a 5,840m track. Eventing will finish up with the show jumping phase on Aug. 9, where both team and individual medals will be decided.

For more information on equestrian events at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, including the full schedule of equestrian competition and live results, please visit www.rio2016.com/en/equestrian. Further information on the Canadian Equestrian Team can be found at www.equestrian.ca.