Canadian Para-Dressage Team Named for WEG

Equine Canada is pleased to announce the Canadian Para-Dressage Team members who will be representing Canada at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) to be held in Normandy, FRA August 23-September 7, 2014.

The selected Canadian Para-Dressage Team members, in alphabetical order, are Robyn Andrews, Lauren Barwick, Ashley Gowanlock and Roberta Sheffield.

“I am delighted that we have such a solid team for this year’s WEG. All four athletes proved themselves on the recent European tour, so we can expect strong performances in France,” said Elizabeth Quigg-Robinson, chef d’équipe for the Canadian Para-Dressage Team.

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Robyn Andrews
As a native of St Johns, NL, Andrews, 30, was a member of the Canadian Para-Dressage Team’s five country tour this spring. Riding her mare Fancianna, Andrews helped the Team get podium finishes while steadily improving her scores individually in Grade 1a.

“I am thrilled and honoured to have been selected to the WEG team. It has been a dream of mine to represent Canada at WEG 2014 after having been a spectator at WEG 2010 in Kentucky,” said Andrews. “I will do my utmost to ride my best for Canada. I am looking forward to meeting up with my fellow team mates at training camp prior to the Games. I would like to thank my personal coach Sue McTavish, national coaches Andrea Taylor and Mary Longden, chef d’équipe Elizabeth Quigg and Amie O’Shaughnessy for all their support and guidance.”

Lauren Barwick
As a Grade 2 rider, Barwick, of Aldergrove, BC, is Canada’s most successful para-dressage rider. Currently ranked number one in the world, Barwick has been campaigning her two horses, Off to Paris and Ferdonia 2, to great results both in North America and in Europe in 2014. With her long-time partner Maile, Barwick, 36, won individual gold and silver medals in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong. Barwick was also a member of Canada’s Paralympic team in 2004 and 2012.

“I’m looking forward to my fourth world games,” said Barwick. “Many sacrifices are made to achieve this level of equestrianism, and being named to the team validates all the hard work. I have a wonderful partner in Paris, and in particular, I am looking forward to performing our freestyle to music.”

“Congratulations to my fellow team mates-all their dedication and effort has paid off. It will be a pleasure to represent the Canadian flag with you,” continued Barwick.

Ashley Gowanlock
A veteran of the Canadian Team, Gowanlock, 27, started riding for therapeutic reasons when she was two-years-old, and for her, what started as a hobby soon grew into a passion. A resident of Vancouver, BC, Gowanlock, a Grade 1b rider, first represented Canada at the 2007 Para-Dressage World Championships in Hartpury, GBR. She also rode for Canada at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics and the 2010 WEG in Kentucky.

“It has been a long hard road for me to get to WEG, and I honestly cannot believe that it is right on our doorstep,” said Gowanlock. “I would not be here today without the support of so many people helping me along the way, so to them I say thank you so much for having faith in my dreams. I am honoured to be representing my country once again on the world stage.”

Roberta Sheffield
With dual Canadian/ British citizenship, Sheffield, 33, started riding for Canada in the beginning of 2013. Since joining the team, Sheffield has represented Canada successfully several times. Most recently, she rode Bindro T and Double Agent this spring during the European Tour, reaching the podium numerous times.

“I am so excited to be able to represent my country at my first major championship,” said Sheffield. “WEG has been a huge ambition of mine, and I have been working hard for this fantastic opportunity for many years. Fingers crossed everything goes according to plan and we can do Canada proud.”

“I must send a massive thank you to Bindro T’s owner, Evelyn Little, for allowing me to ride her fabulous horse, to all my home team and sponsors who have made the road to WEG possible, and to everyone at Para-Equestrian Canada for their amazing support and having faith in me,” added Sheffield.

“Robyn, Bert, Lauren, and Ashley have had fantastic results over the past year and I am very proud of their accomplishments,” said Amie O’Shaughnessy, Director of Para-Equestrian. “It is very exciting for Canada to have these four talented athletes competing together as a team at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games against so many other top nations. We have had a committed group of coaches, grooms, owners, funding partners and support members working alongside the athletes in preparation for the Games, and we are looking forward to a great Games experience.”

The WEG Para-Dressage competition will take place August 25-29, 2014. Complete details about WEG may be found at www.normandy2014.com.