As reported by Equestrian Canada (EC) the afternoon of Sept. 14, Ashley Gowanlock of Surrey, BC, had a fall from her horse following the conclusion of her Grade 1b Individual Test in para-dressage competition at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
After being assessed by the Rio 2016 medical staff onsite and found to have no serious injuries, as a precaution, Gowanlock was transported to a local hospital for further assessment. The hospital confirmed that Gowanlock has bruising and a slight ankle sprain, but no serious injuries.
Riding Di Scansano (De Niro x Rubenstein), a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Wendy Christoff, Gowanlock completed her test and was heading toward the exit of the stadium when an unknown source startled Di Scansano, causing the fall. Di Scansano was not injured during the incident.
As Gowanlock had completed her test when the fall took place, her score of 65.103% for a ninth place finish in the Grade 1b Individual Test has been confirmed. Her score will also count toward the Canadian Para-Dressage Team’s final team standing.
Unfortunately, Gowanlock’s combined score from the Grade 1b Team and Individual tests was below the cut-off to move forward to the final Freestyle Test on Sept. 16. As per Paralympic rules, the Freestyle tests for all grades are open to the top third of the entries within each Grade, based on a combined score of the Team and Individual Tests.
Gowanlock was the second of Canada’s four riders to complete the Individual Test. Roberta Sheffield of Lincolnshire, GBR rode her Grade III Individual Test on Sept. 13, finishing in 14th place. Robyn Andrews (Grade 1a) of St. John’s, NL and Lauren Barwick (Grade II) of Reddick, FL will complete their Individual tests on Sept. 15. The Canadian Para-Dressage Team is currently in 10th place on a score of 266.975.
EC and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) wish Gowanlock a quick recovery on her minor injuries, and thank the Rio 2016 and hospital staff for their assistance.
More from Horse Sport:
