Canada took home two individual gold medals in the grand prix and junior divisions from the inaugural International Equestrian Federation (FEI) ‘Coupe des Ameriques’ (Championship of the Americas)
held from July 17-21 at Blainville Equestrian Park, just north of Montreal.
Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON, won the individual gold medal after winning all three phases of grand prix competition that comprise the individual competition. With Davis Cup, her 17-year-old Hannoverian gelding, MacLachlan scored 69.72% in Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle to clinch the gold medal. It was the second gold medal for MacLachlan who also earned the team gold partnered with Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON.
Canada also laid claim to the individual silver. 1988 Olympic bronze medallist Ashley Nicoll-Holzer (pictured), originally from Toronto, ON, was riding Imperioso, her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion. American Cheri Reiber, who is based in Toronto, ON, took home the bronze for the United States.
In the Junior division for riders aged 14-18, Canada’s Amy McIlwham, 16, of Ottawa, ON, earned her second gold medal for Canada riding Favorit, her Westphalian gelding. Garnering the silver medal was Mary Claire Massey of the United States while Canada’s Pia Virginia Fortmuller took the bronze medal.
Splitting the medal count evenly, the United States also won two gold medals. In the advanced division, Susan Dutta of Wellington, FL, won the Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I and Intermediare Freestyle riding West Side Lady to take home gold. Dutta, 33, added the individual gold to the team gold she won on Saturday partnered with Nancy Latter of Brewster, NY. Latter meanwhile won the individual silver medal for her performance with Manster, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding. Bronze went to Tom Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON, riding Lenz.
In the Young Rider division,Lindsay Koffler, 18, of Lexington, KY, added the individual gold medal to the team gold she earned on Saturday. Canada’s Tina Busse claimed the individual silver for her ride on Amicelli while Koffler’s gold medal teammate, Martin Kuhn, scored the individual bronze.
At Saturday evening’s Musical Freestyle Gala presented by Swarovski Canada Ltd., Canada’s Shannon Oldham-Dueck topped the standings, earning a high score of 69.13% for her performance aboard Korona. Evi Strasser of St-Adele, the only other entry, finished second riding Pryme Tyme with a score of 64.47%.
In the Intermediare Freestyle, Jacqueline Brooks scored top honours riding Gran Gesto with a score of 66.97%. Jo Anne Mintz and Koriedon placed second with 66.89% followed by Colombia’s Cesar Parra and Adonis with 65.05%.
Expanded from the North American Dressage Championship concept, the prestigious FEI ‘Coupe des Ameriques’ was held in conjunction with the fourth annual CDI-W Dressage International de Blainville, presented by Swarovski Canada, featuring $40,000 in prize money between the two competitions. In addition, an Equine Canada (formerly CEF) national show was also held.
The 2002 FEI ‘Coupe des Ameriques’ acted as an official FEI Regional Championship. The ground-breaking undertaking saw competitors representing Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and the United States competing at the Grand Prix, Advanced, Young Rider and Junior levels.
Blainville Equestrian Park is eastern Canada’s foremost equestrian competition facility. In 2002, the permanent competition site hosted three FEI-sanctioned events including its thirteenth CSI-W World Cup Qualifier for show jumping which also served as the first and second World Equestrian Games Selection Trials for the Canadian Show Jumping Team, its fifth CDI-W for dressage, and a CAI-A driving event. In addition, Blainville will host the annual Reining Canada Cup from August 8-11.
‘Coupe des Ameriques’ Grand Prix – Final Individual Results
Rider Country Horse
Gold Nancy MacLachlan Canada Davis Cup
Silver Ashley Nicoll-Holzer Canada Imperioso
Bronze Cheri Reiber United States G Tudor
4. Pamela Goodrich United States Melville
5. Belinda Trussel Canada Royan II
‘Coupe des Ameriques’ Advanced – Final Individual Results
Rider Country Horse
Gold Susan Dutta United States West Side Lady DC
Silver Nancy Latter United States Manster
Bronze Tom Dvorak Canada Lenz
4. Jessica Costello Canada Litmanen
5. Gary Vander Ploeg Canada Ivanicevic
‘Coupe des Ameriques’ Young Rider – Final Individual Results
Rider Country Horse
Gold Lindsay Koffler United States Alfredo
Silver Tina Busse Canada Amicelli
Bronze Martin Kuhn United States Romulus
4. Michelle Degarie Canada Figaro’s Boy
5. Jessica Rizzi United States Ballywhim Ardan Mor
‘Coupe des Ameriques’ Junior – Final Individual Results
Rider Country Horse
Gold Amy McIlwham Canada Favorit
Silver Mary Claire Massey United States Scrabble
Bronze Pia Virginia Fortmuller Canada Alascan
4. Julie Watchorn Canada Darius
5. Stephanie Chalaturnyk Canada Dunkaschon
CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle
Rider Country Horse Score
1. Shannon Oldham-Dueck Canada Korona 69.13%
2. Evi Strasser Canada Pryme Tyme 64.47%
CDI-W Intermediare Freestyle
Rider Country Horse Score
1. Jacqueline Brooks Canada Gran Gesto 66.97%
2. Jo Anne Mintz Canada Koriedon 66.89%
3. Cesar Parra Colombia Adonis 65.05%
4. Jacqueline Paxton United States Cinbad 64.76%
5. Julia Vysniauskas Canada Syntax 64.18%