World Equestrian Games – Good luck to ECOGOLD riders!
Friday, September 24 2010
There is no greater honour than representing one’s country at an international competition. Some of our riders are doing it for the first time and others are Olympic and WEG veterans, which does not diminish their enthusiasm or pride, even if they might not express it on a blog or facebook page. As their nation follows their journey, they will have to deal with a lot of pressure and keep an undivided focus on the job at hand, as well as having the additional challenge of keeping their horses fit and ready.
Unfortunately, we will not be in Kentucky ourselves but will be watching online, on television and communicating with them through technology (phone).
So to our riders, we say: Good Luck and Go get them!!! We send big hugs and we are keeping some champagne on ice, just in case…
Here are our stars!
Ashley Holzer – Canadian Dressage Team
A three-time Olympic veteran and Bronze Medalist (1988 Seoul Olympic Games) she finished 13th individually at the 2008 Olympic Games riding Pop Art. She spent this summer training in Europe with the Canadian Squad, coached by Robert Dover. These World Equestrian Games will be Ashley’s fourth.
Here’s Ashley and Pop Art
McLain Ward – US Show Jumping Team
We wish nothing but success for all our riders, but most particularly for McLain and Sapphire, who were very unlucky (robbed) at this year’s World Cup in Geneva. With two Olympic Gold medals, a silver medal at the last World Equestrian Games and a recent win at the Million Dollar HITS Grand Prix in Saugerties, NY, McLain and Sapphire have an undisputed track record of success and will leave nothing on the table as they go for GOLD.
Here’s McLain Ward and Sapphire at 2009 Spruce Meadows
Phillip Dutton - US Eventing Team
Veteran of 4 Olympic Games, with 2 Olympic Gold Medals (riding for Australia), these will be his fifth World Equestrian Games. Phillip is presently ranked 2nd in the HSBC FEI World Rankings and will be riding Woodburn, who placed second at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three Day-Event CCI4*.
Here’s Phillip Dutton and Woodburn
Buck Davidson – US Eventing Team
In 2009, Buck won the Pinnacle Trophy for Highest Placed US Rider at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** with My Boy Bobby and was the second ranked rider in the United States. He was short listed for the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Special Attention, for the 2006 World Equestrian Games with Class Touch and was an alternate for the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. So this will Buck's first World Equestrian Games as a full member of the US Team. He will be riding Ballynoecastle RM.
Here's Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle RM.
Boyd Martin – US Eventing Team
In the past two years, Boyd Martin has had a meteoric rise to the top of the eventing world. In 2009, he was the third-ranked rider in the United States with consistent results at every competition. At the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, he finished in the top 12 with his three horses, which is quite impressive. Boyd is currently ranked 9th on the HSBC FEI World Rankings. He has never represented his country internationally…until now!
Here's Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos
Karen O'Connor - US Eventing Team
One of the most successful riders in the history of eventing, Karen has won the USEA Lady Rider of the Year title a record ten times, won Rolex three times, completed Badminton 5 times and is the recipient of numerous awards. She has represented the USA at four Olympic Games, winning the Team Silver Medal in Atlanta in 1996 and Team Bronze Medal in Sydney in 2000. She earned the Individual Gold Medal and helped the United States win Team Gold at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil and won individual silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. She is currently placed 18th on the HSBC FEI World Rankings.
Here is Karen O’Connor and Mandiba
Hawley Bennett – Canadian Eventing Team
Olympian Hawley Bennet is one of Canada’s top event riders and already a veteran of international competition. She was a silver medalist at the 2003 Pan American Eventing Championships, Canadian Eventing Team member at the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens and represented Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the 2005 FEI World Cup Final in Sweden on Livingstone.
This year, Hawley had the honour of being a torch bearer for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and she finished 9th at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on her mare, Gin and Juice.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a video for Hawley, but here she is carrying the Olympic Torch – which was a very special moment for her.
Jessica Phoenix – Canadian Eventing Team
Ok, full disclosure: Jessica is one of our favorites!!! (yes, we needed all those exclamation points). She earned her red jacket and a team silver medal at the 2007 PanAm Games Rio (BRA) where she finished 12th individually. Her last international competition ended in heartbreak even before it had even begun. Jessica was named to the team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing with her mount Exploring. However, she was forced to withdraw just weeks before the competition after Exploring suffered a tendon injury. In happier news, she gave birth to her first child earlier this year, and came back with a vengeance to earn her place on the team for the World Equestrian Games. She will be riding Exponential, who has never competed in a 4* event but no worries. “He is more than ready” says Jessica “Exponential is best horse I have ever sat on”.
Here's Jessica Phoenix and Exponential
Kyle Carter – Canadian Eventing Team
Born in Calgary, AB but now based in Citra, Florida, Kyle and his wife, Jennifer, an advanced-level competitor, run their own training and breeding facility. In addition to enjoying success with a large string of horses, Kyle is also a Level 3 coach and has coached many members of both the Canadian and American long lists.
Another veteran of the Canadian Eventing Team, Kyle has represented Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and helped his team win a Silver Medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil , where he was the highest placed Canadian finishing 5th with Madison Park.
Here's Kyle Carter and Madison Park
Voilà! That’s our 2006 WEG vintage. If you want more information about these outstanding riders and the fantastic ECOGOLD products they ride in, check out their profiles in our Hall of Champions.
And to those riders who didn’t make it this year, we say: see you in London in 2012!