Ottawa, Ontario – The High Performance Committee of Para Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce that three athletes were very successful at the FEI PE International 4* in Moorsele, Belgium September 28 – October 1, 2006.
Lauren Barwick, Jennifer McKenzie, both Grade II, and Karen Brain, Grade IV, were given permission to compete at their own expense. Through the efforts of Lauren Barwick, sponsorship was obtained for the Chef d’Equipe Elizabeth Robinson to travel to Belgium, allowing Canada to compete as an official team. All three riders are from British Columbia.
The competition was an official qualifier for the FEI Certificate of Capability for the 2008 Olympic Games, and therefore attracted a large field. Over 100 horses, a total of 14 teams, plus individuals, were entered, with most Europeans riding their own horses. Barwick, McKenzie and Brain spent 10 days prior to the competition researching suitable mounts in Germany. Though they each found a very competitive horse, none were older than 7 and with very little competition experience.
On the first day of competition, Brain placed second out of 24 in the Team Test, riding Lucianoto a score of 70.214%. McKenzie on Riva Dee was fifth out of 22, scoring 66.476%, while Barwick scored 63.429% for 13th.
In the Individual Test the following day, Barwick earned 69.091% and McKenzie earned 68.364% to place fifth and sixth respectively. Brain was ninth with a score of 65.419%
Most teams consisted of four riders, with the official team placings based on the best three scores of the team riders, giving them the option to drop the lowest scores. Despite having only three members on the team, resulting in no dropped scores, Team Canada finished in fifth place, less than nine points behind the bronze team.
On the final day, everyone had a chance to ride their freestyle. With Canadians using music and choreography designed for horses at home, this was a challenge. However, they earned very credible results, with Barwick posting a score of 71.604% for fifth place, and McKenzie scoring 64.330% for 12th in the Grade II. Brain received a score of 70.543% for fifth place in the Grade IV.
A good team-building experience for all, the competition year ended on a very successful note for Canada, as we look forward to the World Championships next July in England.
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