Ashley Holzer Named Dressage Canada Red Scarf Equestrian Athlete of the Month for May

Ottawa, ON — Ashley Holzer, originally of Toronto, ON, has been named the Dressage Canada Red Scarf Equestrian Athlete of the Month for May. At CDI 3* Allentown, held May 27–29 in Allentown, NJ, 2011, Holzer, a three-time Canadian Olympian, swept the competition, winning the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Freestyle, Intermediaire I and the Prix St Georges tests. Riding her 2008 Olympic partner, Pop Art (Amsterdam x Cabochon), a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rusty Holzer and Moreen Nicoll, Holzer scored 69.404% for the win in the grand prix test. They then went on to handily win the grand prix freestyle test by almost four per cent, scoring 74.085%.

With Ultiems Flemming, P.J. Rizvi’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by Akribori, Holzer topped both the Intermediaire I (72.982%) and the Prix St Georges (71.404%).

“I was very pleased with both horses. Unfortunately, the footing was not optimal, yet both horses were incredibly willing which resulted in great performances,” said Holzer. “This summer Poppy will be ramping up to get ready for the up-coming Olympics, which I am very excited about."

The Dressage Canada Red Scarf Equestrian Athlete of the Month is a recognition program that celebrates the achievements of Canadian dressage riders who represent Canada in national and international competition in the FEI Pony, Children, Junior, Young Rider, Advanced, Grand Prix and Young Horse classes.

Red Scarf Equestrian is the generous sponsor of Dressage Canada Athlete of the Month. Red Scarf Equestrian will be providing Holzer with a generous gift certificate that can be used towards the purchase of elegant equestrian luggage, travel bags and accessories that are all made in Canada. For more information about Red Scarf Equestrian, please visit www.RedScarfEquestrian.ca.