Canada’s Lauren Barwick earned a top three finish in her Team Test during the second day of para-dressage competition Tuesday, August 26, at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, FRA.
Riding Equine Canada’s 13-year-old Oldenburg mare, Off to Paris, in the Grade II Team Test, Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, finished in third place out of 16, scoring 70.176%.
“Today was quite electric in the arena, but I was ecstatic with how well my horse performed,” said Barwick, who also rode Off to Paris at the 2012 Paralympics. “She got a little tight, and she kept asking me questions to make sure everything was ok. She asked great questions, and then she settled down very well.”
“My goal today was to be conservative. I’m happy to be in the top three of my class today. We rode today for tomorrow, so I’m very pleased,” added Barwick.
In her Games debut riding her own horse Fancianna, a 13-year-old Friesian Andalusian cross, Robyn Andrews of St Johns, NL earned a score of 64.957% in the Grade Ia Team test, which was good for 18th place.
“My test went really well,” said Andrews, who is representing Canada for the first time at a major games. “I’m so proud of my horse for doing an awesome job in the big arena today. It has been a great experience to ride at the Games. I have really learned how to control my nerves in such an incredible environment.”
The competition continues tomorrow, August 27, with second phase of team competition, the Individual Championship test for Grades III and Ib, while Grades IV, II and Ia will take place on August 28. The scores from the Team and Individual Championship tests will be combined to determine the overall team results and medals. Individual medals will also be awarded for Individual Championship test
The para-dressage competition wraps-up with the Individual Freestyle Tests for all Grades taking place on August 29.
Leading the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team at the Games is Amie O’Shaughnessy, Director of Para-Equestrian; Mary Longden, team coach; Andrea Taylor, team coach; and Elizabeth Quigg, chef d’équipe. The full team complement also includes Kerry-Anne Bourne, Lauren Massey and Emma Hale as grooms; Diana Andrews, Laura Dixon and Justine Bowers as athlete support; Sue McTavish as coach/groom; Caroline Archambault as RMT; and Anna Johnson, Para-Equestrian Coordinator.
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