Ottawa, ON-Following an injury sustained during training, Exploring ridden by Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON, has been withdrawn from the Team nominated to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games-Eventing Competition.
It is expected that Exploring will make a full recovery for the 2009 season.
Following the selection procedure, an alternate/substitute horse and rider combination will now be selected by the Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee to replace Phoenix and Exploring will be announced in the near future.
“While I am extremely disappointed not to have the opportunity to represent Canada with the team at these Olympic Games, I know my team mates will try their very best and I wish them much success. I will be cheering them on from home in Canada,” remarked Phoenix.
Eventing Team (in alphabetical order) are:
Rider – Hometown – Horse – Owner
Kyle Carter – Calgary, AB – Madison Park, 1998 bay American Thoroughbred – Kyle Carter & Nicole Shinton
Sandra Donnelly – Calgary, AB – Buenos Aires, 1997 bay Canadian Warmblood – Sandra Donnelly
Selena O’Hanlon – Elgin, ON – Colombo, 1994 bay Swedish Warmblood – Elaine & Michael Davies
Michael Winter – Toronto, ON – King Pin, 1996 chestnut Irish Sport Horse – King Pin Syndicate
Named as Alternates (in alphabetical order) are:
Rider – Hometown – Horse – Owner
Hawley Bennett – Langley, BC – Livingstone, 1990 bay Canadian Thoroughbred – Hawley Bennett & Gerry Bennett
Diana Burnett – Blackstock, ON – Manny, 2000 bay Canadian Thoroughbred cross – Diana Burnett & John Lennox
Lesley Grant-Law – Mount Albert, ON – Timber Spirit, 1995 chestnut English Thoroughbred – Lesley Grant-Law & Anthony Grant
Samantha Taylor – Richmond, BC – Livewire, 1998 grey Canadian Thoroughbred – Samantha Taylor
* Michael Winter – Toronto, ON – Wonderful Will, 1997 bay American Thoroughbred – Michael Winter & Elliott Schwartz
*Michael Winter and Wonderful Will is the named alternate to Michael Winter and King Pin.
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