Equine Canada Para-Dressage Captures Team Championship at 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*

Canada Team left to right: Riders Lynne Poole, Lauren Barwick, Ashley Gowanlock, Jody Schloss with Chef d'Equipe Andrea Taylor, and judge Bo Ahman (Photo: (C) Lindsay McCall)

Wellington, FL - By definition the freestyle or kür is a dressage test setting the horse's technical movements to choreographed music. For riders it's an opportunity to showcase their horse's skills while emphasizing their grade level's requirements. On Sunday, March 17th, the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival WEF Dressage Classic CPEDI3*, presented by Today's Equestrian and Fellows, came to a close. March 15-17th the U.S. and Canada para-dressage teams competed in the team test, individual, and freestyle competitions in Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV. On Sunday, the para-dressage freestyles in the Van Kampen arena were a chance for riders to relax and enjoy their horses after three days of tough competition.

Riders competed in front of international judges Carlos Lopes (POR), Bo Ahman (SWE), and Hanneke Gerritsen (NED). After combining the team and individual percentages for the final overall team score, it was determined the Canadian Para-Dressage team earned the team championship. Although the U.S. team placing was behind Canada, the United States was rewarded with the High Point Rider Award presented to Mary Jordan and Sebastian, owned by Deecie Denison for her 70.583% in the freestyle test.

"Earning the high point award was a great feeling especially after coming so close to going with the team to the London Paralympics," commented Jordan. "After I came home form London working in feed and bedding, I was determined to make progress within my riding over the winter. It has been a long winter of training and traveling from Maine to Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. It was sweet to receive that award today."

Mary Jordan and Sebastian earn High Point Rider award at the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* (Photo: (C) Lindsay McCall)

Jordan has been working on long-term plans with both Sebastian and P. Sparrow Socks. She noted, "It was a tough weekend and the scoring was fair but sobering. I was thrilled because on each test we went out there and kicked it up a notch. I was glad to see the scores go up over three days coinciding with our hard work. With the judge's critiques, I have a very clear sense of my homework and what I have to do to get to where I want to go. I am grateful for that opportunity. You win the high score and then see all the extra work you have to do. It's really motivating to try harder and be better."
 
The ability to receive international judge feedback is crucial at the FEI para-dressage level. "Having the opportunity to do the three stars is important," smiled Jordan. "It takes you out of your comfort zone and you get the feedback you need to improve."
 
She continued, "Having this particular three star in the U.S. could not have been done without the support of Lloyd Landkamer, Mr. Bellissimo, Adequan, Today's Equestrian and Fellows, the volunteers, the officials, and so many other important people and organizations. I really want to thank Global for inviting the para-equestrians here to compete with able-bodied dressage. In my experience working during the Paralympics I saw the England community and experienced how para-dressage was so accepted and how educated the public was with the sport. To be invited to compete next to famous able-bodied riders in Florida embraces that international acceptance. There is no difference in the type of dressage we do. We are all in search of accuracy and harmony. To stand in the same CDI barns is a step in the right direction."
 
She continued, "My freestyles made me extremely happy on Sunday. I would like to thank Marlene Whitaker who worked with Jessica Ransehousen on the freestyles. It was such a nice experience how we put the music together. I think the music suits both horses and I received really good scores on musical interpretation."

Madison Lawson (CAN) and McGuire (Photo: (C) Lindsay McCall)

Following for second behind Jordan was individual Canadian rider Madison Lawson and McGuire. Lawson mentioned, "He was good but he was also a little tired after three days of competition. My favorite movements on him are his canter pirouettes. The ironic part is that MCGuire didn't even have a canter when we started working with him."
 
In 2012, Lawson did not qualify for the Paralympic team but she did cross over as the first person in history to cross over into Young Riders from para-dressage to able-bodied dressage. Her continued hard work over the next year will help propel her to a hopeful qualification for the 2013 World Equestrian Games team.
 
Canadian Lynne Poole who also competed against Madison Lawson and Mary Jordan in Grade IV earned top results over the weekend. Poole competed with her own Vasco E and Frisbee. Both horses had positive weekends resulting in top accolades for Poole.
 
Ellie Brimer, Grade III rider, from Wayzata, Minnesota rode her own Carino H to a top freestyle score. She explained, "I was really pleased with my freestyle on Sunday. It was only the second time I have shown it. The Grade III tests have transitioned into the larger 20x60m arena this year so my music and choreography had to be reworked. I'd like to thank Terri Gallo from Klassic Kür for her help putting together the music and writing the pattern. The music is really fun to ride to, and the pattern plays to Carino's strengths.

Ellie Brimmer (USA) and Carino H (Photo: (C) Lindsay McCall)

Grade II combination Lauren Barwick and Off To Paris continued to work on specific movements of their tests while playing up their strengths in the freestyle. Lately, the pair has been piecing out specific technical requirements and working on them vigorously. In the final count, the duo accrued a 68.667% in the freestyle. As a two-time Paralympian and one of the senior high performance equestrians on the Canadian team Lauren was grateful for the chance to compete in Florida alongside her teammates.

Barwick is also the owner of Ashley Gowanlock's horse Ferdonia 2 who compete in Grade Ib. "Gowanlock expressed, "This has been a busy weekend but a good start to the year. Fergie was rehabbing over the last few months so I am really impressed how she handled everything. I also want to mention that the show organization was amazing this weekend."

Placing behind Gowanlock's impressive rides were Laurietta Oakleaf aboard Niekele fan Busenitz and Sydney Collier with Wentworth. For Sydney the weekend scores did not count towards the FEI ranking list due to her classification re-evaluation. Sydney was still honored for her determination and opportunity to compete in Wellington.

Collier commented, "The freestyle was very good and very free with Wentworth. It was the first time I had ever ridden it to the music. The next few months we are going to do a lot more training and get some big shows under our belt. I want to get the most training possible over this year."

Lauren Barwick (CAN) and Off To Paris (Photo: (C) Lindsay McCall)

She added, "I want to thank Lloyd the show organizer, my trainer Wes, and Wentworth's former rider Amy for the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. I feel honored to ride this fantastic horse and I look forward to the future with him. I am thankful to Will's previous owner and rider Amy Mcilwham and her mom for coming down from Canada to watch us this weekend. It was so special to have them here for my first show. I think Will enjoyed seeing them too."
 
Amy Mcilwham responded, "I am grateful that the Collier family and Wes have allowed me to be a part of Sydney's journey. Even just standing by the ring or braiding Will is enough for me."

She continued, "Sydney is going to be a big star. It takes time and she just started riding Will but Syd is so determined, smart and focused. She has this big bubbly personality when she's not on the horse but when she's riding she is in tune and in focus with what she's doing. She lives and breaths it as her whole family does. She's got the making to be a really big super star."

In Grade Ia, Canadians Jody Schloss and Robyn Andrews competed on their own horses. Both equestrians matched tempo, symmetry, and cadence but Jody would pull through by mere percentage points dominating the Grade Ia division over the three days.

With the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* finalized, the para-equestrian dressage riders will begin preparing for future CPEDI3* events and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrians Games.

Country/Athlete, Grade, Horse, Team Test, Championship, Total Combined %, Team Total,

Canada 1st Place
Lauren Barwick, II, Off To Paris, 68.922, 69.190, 138.112,
Jody Schloss, 1a, Inspector Rebus, 63.913, 65.362, 129.275,
Ashley Gowanlock, 1b, Ferdonia 2, 65.200, 67.011, 132.211, 
Lynne Poole, IV, Vasco E, 64.048, 64.524, 128.572,
Total - 399.598

USA 2nd Place
Mary Jordan, IV, Sabastian, 64.008, 66.071, 130.079,
Laurietta Oakleaf, 1b, Niekele fan Busenitz, 63.067, 64.080, 127.147,
Eleanor Brimmer, III, Carino H, 57.456, 58.740, 116.196,
Total - 373.422 

MARCH 15, 2013 TEAM TEST
FEI Para Team Grade 1a

(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Ahman,  (M) Lopes,
1. 575 Jody Schloss Inspector Rebus FEI Para Team Grade 1A - 2013 Adult Amateur 441 63.913% 1
2. 577 Robyn Andrews Fancianna FEI Para Team Grade 1A - 2013 Adult Amateur 435.5 63.116% 2

FEI Para Team Grade 1b
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Ahman,  (M) Lopes,
1. 587 Ashley Gowanlock Ferdonia 2 FEI Para Equestrian Team 1B - 2013 Adult Amateur 489 65.200% 1
2. 582 Laurietta Oakleaf Niekele fan Busenitz FEI Para Equestrian Team 1B - 2013 Adult Amateur 473 63.067% 2

FEI Para Team Grade II
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Ahman,  (M) Lopes,
1. 588 Lauren Barwick Off To Paris FEI Para Team Grade II - 2013 Adult Amateur 703 68.922% 1

FEI Para Team Grade III
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Ahman,  (M) Lopes,
1. 578 Eleanor Brimmer Carino H FEI Para Grade III Team - 2013 Adult Amateur 655 57.456% 1

FEI Para Team Grade IV
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Ahman,  (M) Lopes,
1. 580 Lynne Poole Vasco E FEI Para Team Grade IV - 2013 807 64.048% 1
2. 583 Mary R. Jordan Sebastian FEI Para Team Grade IV - 2013 Adult Amateur 806.5 64.008% 2
3. 585 Madison Lawson Mcguire FEI Para Team Grade IV - 2013 JR/YR 794 63.016% 3
4. 584 Mary R. Jordan P Sparrow Socks FEI Para Team Grade IV - 2013 Adult Amateur 751 59.603% 4
5. 579 Lynne Poole Frisbee FEI Para Team Grade IV - 2013 749.5 59.484% 5

SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2013 INDIVIDUAL
FEI Para Individual Test Grade Ia

(E) Lopes,  (C) Gerritsen,  (M) Ahman,
1. 575 Jody Schloss Inspector Rebus FEI Para Individual Grade 1A - 2013 Adult Amateur 451 65.362% 1
2. 577 Robyn Andrews Fancianna FEI Para Individual Grade 1A - 2013 Adult Amateur 442.5 64.130% 2

FEI Para Individual Champion Test Grade 1b
(E) Lopes,  (C) Gerritsen,  (M) Ahman,
1. 587 Ashley Gowanlock Ferdonia 2 FEI Para Equestrian Individual 1B - 2013 Adult Amateur 583 67.011% 1
2. 582 Laurietta Oakleaf Niekele fan Busenitz FEI Para Equestrian Individual 1B - 2013 Adult Amateur 557.5 64.080% 2

FEI Para Individual Champion Test Grade II
(E) Lopes,  (C) Gerritsen,  (M) Ahman,
1. 588 Lauren Barwick Off To Paris FEI Para Grade II Individual - 2013 Adult Amateur 726.5 69.190% 1

FEI Para Individual Champion Test Grade III
(E) Lopes,  (C) Gerritsen,  (M) Ahman,
1. 578 Eleanor Brimmer Carino H FEI Para Grade III Individual - 2013 Adult Amateur 722.5 58.740% 1

FEI Para Individual Champion Test Grade IV
(E) Lopes,  (C) Gerritsen,  (M) Ahman,
1. 583 Mary R. Jordan Sebastian FEI Para Individual Grade IV - 2013 Adult Amateur 832.5 66.071%
2. 585 Madison Lawson Mcguire FEI Para Individual Grade IV - 2013 JR/YR 818.5 64.960%
3. 580 Lynne Poole Vasco E FEI Para Individual Grade IV - 2013 813 64.524%
4. 584 Mary R. Jordan P Sparrow Socks FEI Para Individual Grade IV - 2013 Adult Amateur 763.5 60.595%
5. 579 Lynne Poole Frisbee FEI Para Individual Grade IV - 2013 743.5 59.008%

SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2013 FREESTYLE
FEI Para Free Style Test Grade 1a
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Lopes,  (M) Ahman,
1. 575 Jody Schloss Inspector Rebus FEI Para  Freestyle Grade 1A - 2010 Adult Amateur 414 69.000%
2. 577 Robyn Andrews Fancianna FEI Para  Freestyle Grade 1A - 2010 Adult Amateur 393 65.500%

FEI Para Free Style Test Grade 1b
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Lopes,  (M) Ahman,
1. 587 Ashley Gowanlock Ferdonia 2 FEI Para Freestyle Grade 1B - 2010 Adult Amateur 410.5 68.417%
2. 582 Laurietta Oakleaf Niekele fan Busenitz FEI Para Freestyle Grade 1B - 2010 Adult Amateur 389.5 64.917%

FEI Para Free Style Test Grade II
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Lopes,  (M) Ahman,
1. 588 Lauren Barwick Off To Paris FEI Para Freestyle Grade II - 2010 Adult Amateur 412 68.667%

FEI Para Free Style Test Grade III
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Lopes,  (M) Ahman,
1. 578 Eleanor Brimmer Carino H FEI Para Freestyle III - 2013 Adult Amateur 386 64.333%

FEI Para Free Style Test Grade IV
(E) Gerritsen,  (C) Lopes,  (M) Ahman,
1.583 Mary R. Jordan Sebastian FEI Para Freestyle Grade IV - 2012 Adult Amateur 423.5 70.583%
2.585 Madison Lawson Mcguire FEI Para Freestyle Grade IV - 2012 JR/YR 412 68.667%
3.580 Lynne Poole Vasco E FEI Para Freestyle Grade IV - 2012 403 67.167%
4.579 Lynne Poole Frisbee FEI Para Freestyle Grade IV - 2012 391.5 65.250%
5.584 Mary R. Jordan P Sparrow Socks FEI Para Freestyle Grade IV - 2012 Adult Amateur 387.5 64.583%

For questions about the 2013-2014 Para-Equestrian Dressage season please contact the USEF High Performance Director of the Para-Equestrian Discipline Laureen K. Johnson at (908) 326 - 1155 or e-mail lkjohnson@usef.org

For more questions about Para-Equestrian Dressage please contact Hope Hand at Hope@uspea.org or (610) 356-6481.