Ottawa, ON—Canadian eventers were competitive in both east and west coast competitions over the March 28th–30th weekend.  On the west coast, Canadian Olympian, Hawley Bennett and her longtime partner, Livingstone, finished in third place in the CIC 3* division at Galway Downs International Horse Trials, in Temecula, California, while Nicole Parkin of Orangeville, ON, and Lexus took top honours in the CIC 1* division at Poplar International Place Horse Trials in Hamilton, Georgia.

Bennett, a native of Langley, BC, and Livingstone, an 18-year-old thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider and her mother, were in fourth place following dressage with a score of 55.2 penalties. Posting a perfectly clear over Ian Stark’s cross country course and eight penalties in show jumping Bennett finished on a final score of 63.2.

“I am thrilled with Livingstone,” remarked Bennett. “He once again came out and proved that he is a top horse. We are ready for the spring.”

Bennett and her second mount, Splendorofthesun, a 12-year-old thoroughbred gelding owned by Bennett and Pamela Hudson, finished in 13th place with a total of 98 penalties. Also competing in the division was Chelan Kozak of Abbotsford BC and Tasman Sea who placed 12th on a score of 92.1.

The top score of the day in the CIC 3* division went to Gina Miles of the United States riding McKinlaigh, with a score of 47.

At the Poplar Place International Horse Trials, Nicole Parkin, of Orangeville, ON, and Lexus an eight-year-old Canadian bred Hanoverian mare owned by Gail Hendrie, took the lead in dressage, fell to second place after adding eight cross country time penalties and finished first overall with a score of 53.4 with fault-free show jumping round.

“Lexus was a superstar. We have been working her up to this level since we arrived in Florida. She has done one Training level and two Preliminary level events, and she has never let me down. She certainly decided to win at the right time,” said Parkin. “ Lexus is really enjoying the sport which is very exciting for the future.”

Canadian Olympian, Mike Winter, originally of Toronto, ON, and now residing in Newnan, GA, finished in seventh place riding Unsteelable, an eight-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Jim Walker. Tied for 12th place after dressage with 61.1, Winter added only 2.4 time penalties on cross-country to finish with a score of 63.5

Tina Thompson, of Calgary, AB, and her 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Infact, finished in 20th spot with a score of 114.8.

Top Canadian in the CIC 2* division was Karl Slezak of Tottenham, ON, and Braveheart, an 11-year-old gelding owned by Patricia Fitzgerald who finished in fourth place. Tied for sixth place following dressage with 57 penalties, Slezak and Braveheart incurred just 0.4 of a cross country time penalty and moved up into third position. Two rails and one time penalty in show jumping gave the pair a final score of 66.4.

“The Popular Place track is a tough course and we did it preparation for the CIC 2* in Ocala. The facility could not be any better—it was a fantastic weekend,” noted Slezak. “Hopefully by the summer, Braveheart will be going Advanced, and we will be looking forward to trying a 3* in the fall.”

Vanessa Fenwick of Pefferlaw, ON, riding Erodium, her seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, were in 11th spot after dressage. The pair moved up to 10th place after cross-country with 10 time penalties. The pair finished in eighth place after a four fault in show jumping round on a final score of 75.2.

Rebecca Lee of Bon Accord, AB, and her eight-year-old Oldenburg Thoroughbred cross gelding Gold Twist finished in 11th place.

American Olympian, Amy Tryon, won the CIC 2* division aboard That’s Smart.

 

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