Canadian Para-Dressage riders continued to post top scores during the second day of competition on their way to winning the overall team event at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI3*. The annual FEI competition is being held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, March 14-16, in Wellington, FL.
Using the combined scores from the Team Test, held March 14, and the Individual Test, on March 15, Canadians Robyn Andrews, Lauren Barwick, Ashley Gowanlock and Jody Schloss won the team competition with a total of 418.803%, while the host nation, United States, finished second with 410.536%.
For the second day in a row, Barwick of Aldergrove, BC was victorious in Grade II. Riding her own 15-year-old Oldenburg mare, Ferdonia 2, Barwick won the Individual Test, scoring 71.238%. With her second horse, Equine Canada’s 13-year-old Oldenburg mare, Off to Paris, Barwick finished in third with 66.762%.
“I was extremely pleased with both my horses today,” said Barwick, who is a three-time Paralympian and a 2008 Paralympic gold and silver medalist. “Ferdonia came through for me. She allowed me to push her to the next stage in her training in the competition arena, and it showed in the results. Paris’ trot work was phenomenal, but sadly I had too long of a warm-up.”
Gowanlock, of Surrey, BC rode the Grade Ib Individual Test on Collegiate Sweet Leilani, M. Kendalyne Overway’s 13-year-old Morgan mare, to a score of 70.000%, which placed the pair in second overall.
“Today was a fantastic learning day. We tested everything including warm-up times and energy levels,” said Gowanlock, who is forming a new partnership with Collegiate Sweet Leilani as this is their first FEI competition together. “I am really looking forward to the Freestyle tomorrow. I want to turn on the music and just go.”
In the Grade Ia Individual Test, Schloss of Toronto, ON finished in second place, with a score of 68.623%, riding Inspector Rebus, her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
“I am so proud of my boy, Inspector Rebus,” said Schloss. “I rode my test with a lot more confidence than yesterday, and I think my horse felt it too. It’s so nice to be supported by the team, my coach Jessica Rhinelander and the team coach Mary Longden. There has also been a lot of support from the speciality staff Equine Canada brought to the competition. Today makes me proud to be Canadian.”
Also in the Grade Ia Individual Test was Andrews of St. Johns, NL. With her mare Fancianna, a 13-year-old Friesian Andalusian cross, Andrews was third with 68.551%. “Fancianna listened very well today and was much calmer during her test,” said Andrews about her horse. “Our goal tomorrow is to go in the ring with confidence and have another great ride.”
Lynne Poole of Schomberg, ON finished in second place with 63.333%, riding Vasco E, her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, in the Grade IV Individual Test. “I would like to thank the organizers of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival for having a CPEDI competition,” said Poole. “I would also like to thank my sponsor, Bucas.”
Poole added, “It was great to come down to this Florida weather after having such a nasty winter in Canada. My horses were wonderful, and I am very pleased with them.”
“We had a great day today with all riders earning good scores,” noted chef d’équipe Elizabeth Quigg. “This was an excellent start to our season.”
The competition concludes tomorrow, March 16, with musical Freestyle tests for each Grade, which are always a rider and spectator favourite.
The ground jury members for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI3* are Kjell Myhre (NOR), Marc Urban (BEL) and Kristi Wysocki (USA). For complete competition results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Supporting the team at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI3* is Elizabeth Quigg, chef d’équipe; Mary Longden, team coach; Amie O’Shaughnessy, Director of Para-Equestrian; Dr. Jennifer Miller, team veterinarian; and Caroline Archambault, human/horse Registered Massage Therapist.
The Canadian riders’ participation in the competition in Florida was made possible through the Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initiative designed to help Canada’s summer and winter athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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