Riders and horses ready to race through three countries in Europe!
Canada’s Endurance riders, their horses, and grooms have been in Europe since early August. They set up a training camp at the Ruitersportcentrum Otermans in Vaals, the Netherlands, and are staying there until it’s time to move to the show grounds in Aachen for the Endurance portion of the World Equestrian Games.
The entire group is enjoying the experience. The horses traveled well from British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario to the Netherlands and, after a few days’ rest in Vaals, are back in training to ensure that they are fit and ready for the 160 kilometer endurance test on August 21st. The riders and grooms have been familiarizing themselves with the route to be taken, including the area on the border of three countries (Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium) that will serve as the main veterinary check area (called a ‘Vet Gate’).
In the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez (Spain) the Canadian team rode on leased horses due to the cost of shipping. Canada sent a team to the World Endurance Championship in Dubai in 2005 where they placed fourth riding their own horses. The horse and rider are equal partners, each relying on the other for encouragement and strength throughout the 160 kilometer (100 mile) event. Riding with a familiar equine partner and knowing the horse well makes it easier to plan a strategy for tackling the
challenges ahead.
The members of the Canadian team will be among over 150 riders, representing 40 nations, on the medal quest. All of the participating horses will be inspected on Sunday, August 20th, the day of the official Opening Ceremonies for the two-week-long World Equestrian Games. During the race, veterinarians will assess each horse’s level of fitness, including such parameters as heart rate, respiratory recovery rate and muscle condition, at pre-determined intervals. An endurance horse must have a great deal of stamina, built over time by careful conditioning exercise and, since the health and welfare of the horse is paramount in this type of competition, each must be judged ready and able to compete before being allowed to start.
Five Canadian riders and horses are preparing for the race, of which four will make up the Team. The final decision on team composition will be made by Kay Melvin, Chef d’Équipe in consultation with Team veterinarians, James Carmalt, DVM and Roxy Bell, DVM, following the inspection on Sunday, August 20th. The fifth rider / horse combination will compete as Individuals.
Vying to be named to the team are: Julius Bloomfield of Naramata, BC and Avatar; Karen Badger of Grand Prairie, AB and What A Breeze; Linda Riley of Leslieville, AB and Sir Century; Mary-Anne Dorchester of Whitecourt, AB and SH Rock N Roll; and the lone easterner, Ruth Sturley of Owen Sound, ON and RBF Super Sport.
For more in-depth information, biographical profiles on all of the Canadian Equestrian Team riders, horses and support team members, daily diary updates and information on each competitive discipline - what it is, what the strategies are and how it is scored - please go to the special World Equestrian Games section on the Spruce Meadows website at http://www.sprucemeadows.com/weg/index.htm
News about the Canadian Equestrian Team proudly supported by Spruce Meadows.
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