Canadian vaulters, Colin Schmidt of Chilliwack, BC, Jeanine van der Sluijs of Olds, AB, Hannah Marland of Rocky Mountain House, AB and Alisa Schmidt of Chilliwack, BC all completed their Individual Compulsory Test to start the Vaulting competition at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) held in Lexington, KY, taking place October 6–10, 2010.
The Individual Compulsory Test consisted of seven required elements—the mount, basic seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand and the full flank—performed in sequence at the canter.
Canada’s veteran vaulter, Colin Schmidt with Smokin Joe, an eight-year-old Belgian draft gelding owned by Noel Martonovich, currently sits in 20th place. “Although I am happy with my program today, it is just going to get better from here,” said Colin Schmidt.
Canadians in the Female Individual Compulsory Test were lead by van der Sluijs, who earned a score of 6.859 and is currently in 19th place with Oliver, an 11-year-old bay Warmblood gelding owned Josef Martonovich.
“My compulsories went very well, and I am very happy how everything went,” said van der Sluijs. “I am very excited to be here. I felt that my flag was very good, my mill was one of my best and my stand was very solid as well.”
Marland and Phoenix, Rebecca Marland’s Paint draft cross gelding, earned a score of 6.781, which puts the pair in 23rd place.
“It went well today. I really pleased my flight exercises and flag,” said Marland. “It is really exciting to be at the World Championships on my own horse.”
Alisa Schmidt rounded out the Canadian vaulters in 28th place with a score of 6.389 with Badge, Josef Martonovich’s 11-year-old Belgian draft horse gelding.
“I was very happy with my routine and my horse went well,” said Alisa Schmidt. “There is very positive energy in the arena, so it was very fun. I could not have done anything different, and I did the best that I could. I was striving to get a score over 6, and I am very content to get a 6.389.”
“Today was a great beginning for our Canadian vaulters and it is just the first part of round one. The Freestyles tomorrow will change the placings. I am very pound of the effort of my whole team,” noted chef d’équipe, Marita Hoppe.
Tomorrow, October 7th, the Vaulting Competition continues with the Individual Freestyle. Following the Freestyle, the top 15 male and female vaulters will move forward to compete in the second round of individual competition.
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