Ottawa, ON—Para-Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce that Andrea Taylor, of Langley, BC, has been awarded the Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Award in recognition of her achievements at the 2008 Paralympic Games.  As the national team coach of Para-Equestrian Canada, Taylor coached rider Lauren Barwick to individual gold and silver medal finishes in the sport of Para-Dressage.

Taylor is a seasoned international dressage competitor who became involved in Para-Dressage when she donated her own Grand Prix horse, Dior, to Barwick to ride at the 2004 Paralympic Games. 

Taylor has coached many successful riders in British Columbia, including adult amateurs, junior and young riders.  As an athlete, Taylor competed internationally at the Grand Prix level with Dior. In 1989, she was a member of the gold medal team and won the individual gold medal at the North American Young Riders Championships. She has been a short and long-listed rider with the Canadian dressage team, and in 2000, Taylor represented Canada at the International Dressage Derby in Sydney, AUS, where she won the team bronze medal and was named Leading Foreign Rider.

“I am honoured to receive this award as recognition for something I absolutely love to do—work with inspiring, goal oriented, driven athletes. Truthfully though, this award comes to me as the result of a group effort from many people: personal trainers to parents and from support staff to our chef d’équipe,” remarked Taylor. “These are people who went to the Paralympics to help our Canadian riders have an unforgettable and successful experience. Without them I could not have focused on doing my job to the best of my ability. I say a huge thanks to them as I receive this award!”

Taylor will be presented with her award at the Sport Leadership Awards Dinner in Calgary, November 7, 2008.

Petro-Canada recognizes coaches whose athletes have won medals in open world championships, at an Olympic Games, at a Special Olympics World Games or at a Paralympic Games. Recipients of the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award are some of Canada’s most outstanding national team coaches. These coaches have dedicated their time and efforts to ensuring that athletes reach their potential on the international stage.

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