The Canadian Eventing Team, comprised of Rebecca Howard of Marlborough, GBR, Colleen Loach of Dunham, QC, Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, and Kathryn Robinson of Kettering, GBR, are ready to kick off equestrian competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, BRA.
The eventing portion of the Games begins on Aug. 6 and 7 with dressage. Cross-country follows on Aug. 8, and the final jumping phase will take place Aug 9.
All four Canadians presented their horses at the official horse inspection, held Aug. 5, and were accepted by ground jury member and foreign veterinary delegate, Tim Randle of Great Britain. A total of 74 horses from 24 countries participated in the horse inspection, and all horses were accepted to move forward into competition.
Interestingly, the Canadians are the only team competing in eventing with an all-female roster of athletes.
“It’s a really good team,” commented Howard, 37, who will be competing in her second Olympic Games, having represented Canada at the London Games in 2012. “I’ve been on a few teams with Jessie (Jessica Phoenix) and she’s such a positive character to have on any team. I know Kathryn from being in England, and it’s good to see Colleen again, so it’s a really good team environment.”
Howard will be competing with her long-time partner, Riddle Master (Rodero x Eyes to Rule), a 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by Blithe Hill Farm. Rio represents their second Games together, as Riddle Master was also Howard’s mount in London, where they helped the Canadian team finish 13th.
“Our preparation has been great and the facilities are really lovely, but I’m ready to get going, so it’s nice for the action to start tomorrow,” said Howard. “The horses traveled well and we are feeling good.”
Loach, 33, will be making her Olympic debut aboard Qorry Blue d’Argouges. The 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding, sired by Mr. Blue and owned by Canadian Olympian Peter Barry, was also her partner for the 2015 Pan Am Games, where she finished eighth individually and helped the Canadian Eventing Team to a bronze medal.
Phoenix will be competing at the Olympic Games for the second time in her career, having finished 22nd individually at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She will be riding A Little Romance (A Fine Romance x Donaufurst), an 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by Donald Leschied. Despite being just 32 years old, Phoenix is a successful veteran of the Canadian Eventing Team, and no stranger to Rio de Janeiro. At the 2011 Pan Am Games in Rio, she brought home the individual gold medal and led the team to silver. Phoenix is also coming off a successful 2015 Pan Am Games, having earned individual silver and team bronze medals in front of her home crowd.
Rounding out the Canadian Eventing Team is Robinson and Let It Bee, her 15-year-old Westphalian gelding. Although new to the Olympic Games, the duo made their major games debut for Canada at the 2015 Pan Am Games, where they were the highest-placed Canadians and finished second overall in the dressage phase.
“We’ve got a team of good, strong athletes,” said Clayton Fredericks, Chef d’Équipe for the Canadian Eventing Team. “Everything is really going smoothly and the whole team is in really good spirits. The horses have arrived fit and sound, and are looking good. The jig-saw puzzle has come together and we are ready to go.”
Phoenix will be the very first athlete into the ring for day one of the dressage phase on Aug. 6, with Robinson to follow. Loach and Howard will compete on the second day of dressage on Aug. 7.
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