With two seasoned competitors in the ring and one making their debut, members of the Canadian Para-Dressage Team came to the Paris Games with a desire to fulfill their Paralympic dreams at an iconic venue. By all accounts, they did themselves and Canada proud on the first day of competition building memories and soaking up experiences as they ready themselves for the remainder of the week.
After yesterday’s competition, the Grade II athlete combination of Roberta Sheffield and Fairuza qualified for the individual Freestyle competition in 6th place, while Grade I competitors Austen Burns and Happy Feet 3 finished in 12th and Jody Schloss and El Colorado ended in 17th.
The swelling of support from the crowd and the team was felt as they entered the ring at the Chateau de Versailles. International relations were also supported when the Singaporean team lent a ‘friendly’ horse to Sheffield when she needed to add one alongside the ring for Fairuza.
After a very different experience with little atmosphere in Tokyo, three-time Paralympian Roberta Sheffield on her own Fairuza, the 16-year-old mare she has been training and competing with over the last nine years, was thrilled with the venue in Versailles. As the only rider out for Canada in Grade II, the pair scored the highest test of the team with 70.345%. Focused on the experience with her longtime partner, “Wonky,” she wanted to take it all in.
“Oh, I have such a special relationship with that horse,” she shared. “When we go on the sand she really, there is a feeling almost like a gladiatorial feeling that we fight together against the world, we are in this bubble together, we are taking on the challenge of doing that dressage test, nothing else matters, it is this wonderful feeling of partnership.”
Their connection also creates a bond like no other – one for a para-athlete. “Wonky is incredibly good at filling in the gaps that are created by my condition. She’s naturally so sensitive.” Together they will take to the sand ring once again when they perform in Saturday’s Freestyle competition.
Jody Schloss and El Colorado. (Jon Stroud photo)
First in the Grade I event also in her third Paralympic appearance for Canada was Schloss riding her new mount 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) gelding El Colorado whom she purchased in early 2023. The pair put up a consistent test ending on a score of 66.375%.
Schloss was very happy with their performance and was going to be sure he knew how much. “I was really happy with the way he listened. He has his moments. When we’re in the barn, he really loves food, if you have some he will try to eat it out of your hand. He loves bananas and he’ll definitely get some banana today!”
The rare Knabstrupper spotted gelding, who was Canada’s Para Horse of the Year in 2023 has been turning heads all week. When asked, Schloss shared a little more about him. “
Denver is his barn name. He was a breeding horse before because he is so original-looking and because he’s such a good boy. I have such a good relationship with him.”
Austen Burns and Happy Feet 3. (Jon Stroud photo)
At just 24 years old, Austen Burns is competing for Canada at his first Major Games and first Paralympics. He was incredibly composed and prepared as he walked in the ring with his partner Happy Feet 3 (Blue Hors Hotline x Londonderry) the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Lucinda Blakiston Houston. As the second in Grade I and third to go for Team Canada, he delivered a solid test finishing with a score of 68.667%.
When asked how this experience has been for him as his first Paralympics, he shared how impactful it has been already. “I think the atmosphere in Paris has been incredible, the people, the support has been something else. It’s definitely a competition that has exceeded my expectations and more,” Burns said. “It’s always been a dream to get to the Paralympics and this whole experience has been incredible.”
He also described the difference in the environment. “The team environment is something that we don’t experience in normal and everyday competitions, so to be in such a supportive team and be in that atmosphere where you are working together as a team and competing as a team is something that I will always remember.”
Team competition takes place on Friday, September 6 and the Individual Freestyle on Saturday, September 7. All competitions can be streamed on CBC Gem.
Results here.
The Canadian Para-Equestrian team.
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