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Canadian Riders Victorious at the WindReach International Para-Dressage Event

May 31, 2010

Ashburn, Ontario --- The largest FEI Para-Equestrian event ever held in North America was officially opened this morning by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David C. Onley.

Held from May 28-30th, 2010 in Ashburn, Ontario, the WindReach International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* is an official qualifier for the 2010 World Equestrian Games to be held in Kentucky, and as a result has drawn top competitors from around the world.

On the first day of the competition, there were 39 entries in the Team test with riders from Australia, Bermuda, Chinese Taipei, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the United States and Canada. In a competition with such a strong international presence, the Canadian riders have demonstrated their ability to compete among the world's best.

The highest score of the day was achieved by Canada’s Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC with a score of 74.286% on her Paralympic horse Maile in the Grade 2 class.

Other top Canadian scores included a win from Ashley Gowanlock of Langley, BC in the Grade 1b class with a score of 63.333% on Donnymaskell, owned by Sandy (Alexander) Mitchell; a second place finish from Tara Kowalski of Vancouver, BC in the Grade 1b class with a score of 64.510% riding MJ Fatal Attraction owned by Philippa Keegan and Rachael Tipper; a second place finish from Judi Island of Caledon, ON riding Wouldja Believe It owned by C.A.R.D. with a score of 60.455%; and a second place finish from Eleonore Elstone of Langley, BC riding Why Not G owned by Kelleigh Kulcsar.

The top three results from each class were as follows:

Grade 1a Team Test:

1st- Laura Goldman (USA) riding Carlingfurd JD owned by Trudy Phillips with 71.765%

2nd- Tara Kowalski (Vancouver, BC, CAN) riding MJ Fatal Attraction owned by Philippa Keegan and Rachael Tipper with 64.510%

3rd- Kim Decker of (USA) riding Dashers Destiny owned by Paul Decker with 63.137%

Grade 1b Team Test:

1st- Ashley Gowanlock (Langley, BC, CAN) riding Donneymaskell owned by Sandy (Alexander) Mitchell with 63.333%

2nd Judi Island (Caledon, ON, CAN) riding Wouldja Believe it owned by C.A.R.D. with 60.455%

3rd- Tsutomu Inoue (JPN) riding Sargeant RW owned by Heather Campbell with 59.394%

Grade 2 Team Test:

1st- Lauren Barwick (Aldergrove, BC, CAN) riding Maile owned by Lauren Barwick with 74.286%

2nd- Rebecca Hart (USA) riding Kazan owned by Kerri Sowers with 71.905%

3rd- Jennifer McKenzie (Maple Ridge, BC, CAN) riding Sunbury Lodge Voodoo with 66.984%

Grade 3 Team Test:

1st- Erin Alberda (USA) riding Collo 5 owned by Peter Gray with 65.435%

2nd- Yu-Jen Sun (Chinese Taipei) riding Legacy owned by Jacqueline Norman with 55.926%

3rd- Beth Levine (USA) riding Cinnamon Girl owned by Lauren Adam with 51.235%

Grade 4 Team Test:

1st- James Dwyer (IRE) riding Orlando owned by James Dwyer with 70.938%

2nd- Eleonore Elstone (Langley, BC, CAN) riding Why Not G owned by Kelleigh Kulscar with 66.250%

3rd- Jennifer Baker (USA) riding Duel owned by University of Findlay with 62.917%

“I am very pleased with the results and efforts of our Canadian riders today.” said Elizabeth Quigg-Robinson, Chef d’équipe for the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team “A number of individuals have contributed to our success today and it was great to have support from Viterra Inc. and ProForm Feeds onsite to cheer on our riders.”

The Canadian team is comprised of 11 international riders, led by Chef d’équipe Elizabeth Robinson-Quigg and four team coaches: Andrea Taylor, Simone Williams, Mary Longden and Lynn Marshall.

The scores from today’s Team test will be combined with the results of tomorrow’s Individual test to determine which country will win the Team competition.

The event will continue on May 29th and 30th at WindReach Farm, a 109-acre property located northeast of Toronto in Ashburn, Ontario. The farm is the life-long dream of founder Sandy Mitchell, an equestrian enthusiast born with cerebral palsy, and is designed to cater specifically to individuals with disabilities.

The competition is open to spectators and the media. For the safety of the riders and fellow attendees, we respectfully request that your dogs be left at home for this event.

On-site media relations contacts

Paul Sullivan sharehome@sympatico.ca tel. 416-606-2024

Amie O’Shaughnessy aoshaughnessy@equinecanada.ca tel: 613-248-3433 ext. 134

About WindReach Farm

Located at 312 Townline Road in Ashburn, Ontario, Canada, WindReach Farm is a fully wheelchair accessible working farm and registered charity.

For the past twenty years, WindReach Farm has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors with physical and/or intellectual disabilities annually and continues to work with nearly 350 community organizations that include group homes, hospitals, schools and rest homes. Since 1992, WindReach Farm has offered three main programs: the Visitors program, the Work Experience program, and the Accommodation program.

In 2003, WindReach Farm’s founder, Mr. Mitchell, constructed a fully accessible stable and riding arena, with the objective of providing recreational riding opportunities for individuals with a disability, as well as the ability to host Para-Equestrian competitions.

In 2004, WindReach Farm hosted the first Canadian Open Paralympic Qualifier for Para-Dressage with resounding success, providing many Canadian riders with the opportunity to qualify for the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

In 2005, a therapeutic riding program was introduced at WindReach Farm, enabling individuals with disabilities from the Durham region and surrounding areas to do something that many able-bodied children will never have the opportunity to experience - learn to ride, care for, and develop a bond with a horse. www.windreachfarm.org.

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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