Lieutenant Governor to Officially Open International Para-Dressage Competition

Ashburn, Ontario – The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will officially open North America’s largest FEI Para-Equestrian competition in Ashburn, Ontario on May 28. Celebrated as a champion for accessibility, Lieutenant Governor Onley will open the three-day WindReach International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* competition in the presence of Equine Canada CEO Akaash Maharaj.

The competition is an official qualifier for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, and will draw leading competitors and top officials from around the world. Of the 37 entries, 11 are Canadian Para-Dressage athletes, many of whom have had tremendous success on the international circuit.

Upon his arrival at WindReach Farm, the Lieutenant Governor will proceed to the farm’s ‘Bridge of Nations’, where there will be a brief photo opportunity for attending media. Many of the sport’s well-known representatives will be at the stables to greet His Honour, including Paralympic Gold and Silver medalist Lauren Barwick, her fellow Para-Equestrian teammates and various competition officials and organizers.

“Even before being installed as our Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable David Onley has been a champion of equestrianism’s ability to enable every person to realize his or her full potential,” said Akaash Maharaj, Chief Executive Officer of Equine Canada. “We are, therefore, delighted and honoured that he will open the WindReach International Para-Dressage competition, and welcome some of the world’s most accomplished equestrian athletes to Canada.”

The competition’s official welcome will take place 11:05 a.m., with a speech given by Equine Canada CEO Akaash Maharaj followed by official greetings from the Lieutenant Governor. The competition’s first rider will enter the main show ring at 11:30 a.m.

The event will be held at WindReach Farm, a 109-acre property located northeast of Toronto in Ashburn, Ontario. The farm is the life-long dream of founder Sandy Mitchell, an equestrian enthusiast born with cerebral palsy, and is designed to cater specifically to individuals with disabilities.

Para-Dressage is the only Para-Equestrian sport recognized at the Paralympic level. Riders are classified according to their functional abilities, and are judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same grade.

The Lieutenant Governor has lived with polio and post-polio syndrome since he was a small child, and has fought tirelessly to champion accessibility.