Solid Canadian Performances in International Competition

Canadians Ryan Torkkeli and Jessica Phoenix proudly represented the maple leaf by finishing on the podium on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean this past weekend.

Ryan Torkkeli and Sternenwanderer. (Foto Mhisen)

Ryan Torkkeli of Thunder Bay, ON, earned top five finishes and posted great results with his World Championships’ mount Sternenwanderer and up-and-coming Fantastic Snoop-Dog in Ankum, Germany from Nov. 2 – 6, 2022.

While riding Sternenwanderer, a 15-year-old Rheinlander gelding (Lord Loxley I x Ragazzo), owned by Ingetraud Bolz and Dieter Laugks, Torkkeli contested the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special and finished in second place with a score of 71.895%.

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Torkkeli also competed with his up-and-coming mount, Fantastic Snoop-Dog (San Amour x Fidermark), a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Ingetraud Bolz. The pair earned a score of 69.34, placing in fourth on Nov. 4 in the Grand Prix.

“Both horses are feeling amazing,” said Torkkeli.”And I’m very proud of how they have been developing and that we could present the improvements in the show ring.”

For more results on the dressage competition in Ankum, Germany, please click here.

Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON finished on the podium twice in the CCI-3*L at the Virginia Horse Trials, a top eventing venue along the eastern seaboard in Lexington,VA from Nov. 3 – 6, 2022.

The event, which takes place in the rolling hills of Rockbridge County in Virginia, has hosted USEA recognized horse trials since 1989. Phoenix captured first place riding Freedom GS (Humble GS x Fidertanz), a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare, owned by Charlotte Sckhickedanz. The pair opened the three-day event with a dressage score of 32.7, jumped clear on cross-country with 1.2 time penalties and finished with a clear round in show jumping to end atop of the standings.

Phoenix also finished the event in third with Florescent Adolescent (Gaudi x Amelia II), a 14-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding, owned by Makayla Rydzik. The pair earned a score of 38.5 in dressage, and improved their score with a clear cross-country in a time of 8:03 to end in third behind France’s Martin Douzant and Harthill Diamond.

For more results on the Virginia Horse Trials, please click here.