Megan Lane of Loretto, ON enjoyed an impressive debut at the CHIO Aachen, considered by many to be the world’s most prestigious annual equestrian event, held from July 15-20 in Aachen, Germany.
Riding Caravella, her own 13-year-old Canadian-bred Dutch Warmblood mare, Lane placed ninth in the CDI4* division after achieving a score of 70.460% in the Grand Prix. She went on to contest the Grand Prix Special, where a second strong performance earned her a score of 70.235% for sixth place.
Only 23 years of age, Lane is one of five Canadian dressage riders who each received a $20,000 grant from the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP) in support of their 2014 international competition goals. Lane and Caravella have been named to the Canadian Dressage Team that will compete at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, in August. It will mark Lane’s major games debut but it is not her first international appearance; previously, she and Caravella represented Canada on teams at the North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, earning medals several times over.
“The C-DAAP grant has been instrumental in covering the huge costs associated with training, travelling and competing throughout Europe,” said Lane, who is currently based in Rattingen, Germany, with her Canadian WEG teammates, Karen Pavicic and David Marcus. “I would probably not have been able to enter competitions before the WEG training camp, and certainly would not have had the opportunity to compete at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival if it were not for C-DAAP.”
Lane continued, “The timing of the C-DAAP grant was impeccable. I see the opportunity not only for myself gaining the experience, but also as an invaluable investment in Canadian dressage on the world stage.”
Lane will compete at CDI3* Verden, Germany, from August 6-10 as a final preparation for WEG, which acts as the world championships for equestrian sport.
“The support from C-DAAP has been a monumental asset in my career because of the doors that it opens for me, allowing me to step into some of the biggest dressage shows in the world,” said Lane. “My goal at WEG is not simply to show up; I am there to be as competitive as possible and represent Canada to the best of my abilities and my horse’s abilities. Since neither my horse nor I have competed in Europe before, the opportunity to compete here beforehand is a key component to achieving this goal. I would sincerely like to thank Deborah Kinzinger and the supporters of C-DAAP who have worked tirelessly in many ways to positively affect our sport and build the future of dressage in Canada.”
The four other Canadian athletes to receive C-DAAP High Performance European Training and Competition Grants are: Brittany Fraser of New Glasgow, NS and All In, her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding; Karen Pavicic of Surrey, BC, and Don Daiquiri, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Pavicic and Jayne Essig; Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, and Anton, a 14-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Robyn Eames; and Chris Von Martels of Ridgetown, ON, and Zilverstar, his 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
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