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Canadian Riders Victorious at Saddleworld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3*

January 12, 2010

Ottawa, ON --- Eleonore Elstone, Ashley Gowanlock, Tara Kowalski, and Jennifer McKenzie achieved a second place team finish for Canada at the Saddleworld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* held December 10–13, 2009 in Werribee, Australia.

Paralympian Jennifer McKenzie of Maple Ridge, BC, achieved first place finishes aboard Sunbury Lodge Voodoo (owned by Jami Hurley) in the Grade II Team test and the Grade II Individual test, with scores of 68.667% and 68.273% respectively. McKenzie narrowly missed a clean sweep, placing second in the Grade II Freestyle test with a score of 68.889%.

“I was so privileged to be able to ride Sunbury Lodge Voodoo, a very handsome, black gelding owned by Jami Hurley and to be coached by Mary Longden, who had sourced this wonderful horse for me. We had an instant connection and he was fantastic to ride,” said McKenzie.

Other notable finishes included Paralympian Eleonore Elstone of Langley, BC, who rode Flowervale Metallic (owned by Danielle Fraillon), placing second in the Grade IV Team test with a score of 66.571%, third in the Grade IV Individual test with a score of 65.355%, and third in the Grade IV Freestyle test with a score of 71.091%.

Fellow Paralympian Ashley Gowanlock, of Surrey, BC, rode AEA Abel Rex (owned by Nicola Hayes) to a third place finish in the Grade Ib Individual test with a score of 64.190%, followed by a sixth place finish in the Grade Ib Team test with a score of 61.765%, and a fifth place finish in the Grade 1b Freestyle test with a score of 62.037%.

Tara Kowalski, a resident of Chilliwack, BC, made her international competition debut at the Saddleworld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3*, placing fourth in the Grade 1a Team test aboard BP Winterstern (owned by Erin Dunne) with a score of 61.059%.

Kowalski and McKenzie also achieved their FEI certificate of capability at the event, which makes them eligible to qualify for the 2010 World Equestrian Games alongside their fellow teammates.

The international judging panel at the the SaddleWorld International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* included Anne Prain (FRA—FEI O), Jan Geary (AUS—FEI O), Marc Urban (BEL—FEI I), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED—FEI O) and Wendy Barker (AUS—FEI C).

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About Para-Equestrian Canada

Para-Equestrian Canada is the Equine Canada committee responsible for developing programs for athletes with a physical disability, and implementing the Para-Dressage high performance program. Para-Equestrian is one of Canada’s most successful international disciplines, achieving an individual gold medal and an individual silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games, as well as two individual bronze medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games.

About Para-Equestrian Sport

Para-Equestrian sport provides riders with a physical disability the opportunity to compete against other riders with similar abilities. Riders are given a “Grade” based on their functional ability, and are judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same Grade. There are five grades of competitions in dressage, with Grade IA representing the more severely impaired riders, and Grade IV representing the least severely impaired riders. Many Para-Equestrian athletes also compete alongside able-bodied competitors in Equine Canada competitions. At the grass roots level, Para-Equestrian encompasses a number of different disciplines, while the international stream focuses only on Para-Dressage. For more information, please visit www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

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