Megan Lane is Making Her Own Cinderella Story

Megan Lane, 2016 Cedar Valley Awards Ceremony (Photo: Kelsey Lane)

Megan Lane rides to the second place ranking position for Canada today with a score of 71.098% in the Grand Prix Special earning her a qualification average of 71.088 %. It is a tight race for the final position to ride in Rio for Canada, the official end date of qualification Is July 4 th 2016.

“It is not over yet but after my ride today I just had an amazing, and wonderful feeling” says Megan Lane about her Grand Prix Special ride on Caravella. “I’m so happy. She has really demonstrated she is a top competitor. She has become stronger and more consistent throughout to the season. Today when I enter the ring I feel she is powerful, steady and focussed. These are exactly the qualities what we want to see in this final phase of competition leading up to Olympic Games.”

Megan Lane and Caravella have been partners since 2008 when Lane purchased the Dutch Warmblood mare as a green hunter-jumper horse. Since their partnership began, the duo have risen up the Canadian ranks at the junior and young rider levels, and recently competed on the World Equestrian Team in 2014 and the Pan American Team in 2015 for Canada

“The ‘Cinderella’ story I think is what really inspires people towards. The fact that when the stars align, and you find that special connection with a horse you can achieve your dreams. It’s an incredible story and I journey I am just so proud to be a part of.”

Going to the Olympics was first a dream, then a goal, and is now on the cusp on becoming a reality for Megan Lane and Caravella. “It’s an unbelievable feeling” says Lane, “and I am truly grateful for all the support. I also want to congratulate the other riders; Canada should be very proud of the quality of our Olympic contenders.”

Lane says she does not have plans to compete in Europe for a final competition before the end of the qualification period. Riders wishing to compete in Austria CDI4* from June 30 – July 4 would be required travel to Toronto, Europe, and then back to New York for pre-departure quarantine before flying to the Olympic Games Venue in Rio de Janiero within 10 days.

“Caravella has been very focused throughout a long and intense show season. She has really proven that she can compete under pressure in many different venues. We have had experience in many shows in Europe and North America , so I would rather allow her this time and be sure she is well rested and in top form if we qualify for the Olympic Games.”

Lane also competed 12 year-old Hanoverian gelding San D’Or in the Grand Prix, earning a 68.340% in only their second time competing at that level for a fourth place finish. On Sunday, Lane rode San D’Or in the Grand Prix Freestyle to a first place finish with a score of 74.125%.

“[San D’Or] or ‘Sunny’ as we call him is such a cool horse.” says Lane. “I have been riding him since he was four years old. He really wants to please you, so with a horse that talented the hardest part is being patient. I think we are starting to see that patience pay off, and it is only just the beginning.” San D’Or is by Sandro Hit out of a Cocktail mare and is owned by Deer Ridge Equestrian in Loretto Ontario.