The Canadian Paralympic Dressage Team is looking for European horses to lease or borrow for the 2003 IPEC Dressage World Championships for Riders with a Disability in Moorsele, Belgium - September 2 - 7, 2003.
In the past, riders in I.P.E.C. events competed on horses provided by the competition and riders drew from this "pool" of horses, as in the 1996 and 2000 Paralympics and all the past World Championships. To compete in the 2003 World Championship in Belgium and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens each rider and their country will be responsible for providing their own horses.
Last year, the Canadian Team competed at the European Championships in Portugal and leased horses from the Portuguese army. With only six days to train on unfamiliar horses, Canadian riders finished 7th in the team competition, the highest placing for a team using leased horses. Individually, two of our four riders finished in the top one-third of their grade.
Canada will be sending 5-6 riders to the World Championship. Transporting horses from Canada to Europe is not realistic for us in terms of expense. We are appealing to horse owners in Western Europe to assist us in locating dressage horses which will be competitive as we endeavor to qualify our Canadian team for the Paralympics in Athens in 2004. Horses for the team will be needed from August 23 - September 8, 2003. Our national Team Coach will be in Belgium from June 15th - 20th to assess potential team horses. Canadian Team riders are most willing to pay for a reasonable lease and all costs associated with the use and care of horses during this time. If you have a horse which might be suitable for one of our riders and you would like to see compete in a World Championship or, if you would like more information please contact: Jane James, Team Manager at: janejames3@shaw.ca or phone: (250)746-6719 .
Jane will be in Belgium from June 12 to try out horses for the team. Please contact her if you are willing to make a generous contribution to the Canadian Dressage Team.
Horse requirements for potential Canadian Team members
Grade 1 - Judi Island - Following a motor vehicle accident, Judi has multiple disabilities. She has little strength and she cannot ride too big a stride at walk or trot. She rides best on a forward going, but controllable, horse that is 15 to 16 hands with good behaviour. Judi has a website at:www.jiparalympicdressage.ca
Grade 2 - Lauren Barwick - Before she became a paraplegic, Lauren was a competent show jumping rider. She was just under 6 feet in height so needs a horse that is not too small. Due to no use of leg she needs to have a horse that is willing to go forward and is laterally supple and even in both hands. She uses two whips. She canters (from the walk) in her musical freestyle. In May, Lauren spent a week at the International Academy in Warendorf, Germany gaining valuable riding experience. Last year, Lauren won the individual gold at the Inner Vision Championship in New York, USA in her first competition since her accident.
Grade 2 - Dax Adam - Dax has spastic cerebral palsy. He needs a horse that has a long but smooth trot. If the stride is too big he has difficulty keeping his balance. Dax canters in his musical freestyle.
Grade 3 - Jenni Rowe - Jenni has a spinal cord injury and had limited riding experience before her accident. She is competent on a "school-master" horse with reasonably good behaviour. Her Freestyle has shoulder-in, and flying or simple changes. Jenni is currently training with past Olympian, Cindy Ishoy who says, "Jenni has been very dedicated and consistent in her training and has greatly improved her riding skills… ……Jenni will continue to be an excellent representative for Canada….".
Grade 3 - Jennifer Mckenzie - Jennifer was a successful junior event rider before her accident when she sustained spinal cord and brain injury. She does not have an intellectual disability but her injury necessitates having her tests called and her reactions are a little slow. In May, Jennifer rode her IPEC tests and received scores of over 60% from three FEI judges. She needs a forward going horse with easy canter transitions.
Grade 3 - Karen Brain - Before her spinal cord injury less than two years ago, Karen was a member of the Canadian Three Day Event Team and competed at the World Equestrian Games in Italy. She is a competent rider and can ride any type of horse, providing it is forward going. Karen rides without stirrups and can ride a big moving horse. Karen has a website at: www.goodwoodstables.com/karenbrain/
For more information on dressage for riders with disabilities at the International level or an explanation of the classification and grading system please visit the I.P.E.C. website at: www.ipec-athletes.de
Thank you for your interest!