Ottawa, Ontario — Despite stormy weather, Canadians had a strong presence at the Paxton Farm CDI3*, held May 12-14, 2006 in Batavia, Ohio.
Jon Costin of Puslinch, ON rode his 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding Wholio to a second place finish in the FEI Grand Prix after receiving a score of 64.875%. The talented duo put in another stellar performance in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, this time bumping up their score to 66.75%.
“Wholio is feeling more secure in the Grand Prix and I am really looking forward to more success with him,” stated Costin, who is currently ranked on the Canadian Equestrian Team (CET) Dressage Short List “A” with Wholio.
Rounding out the top five in the FEI Grand Prix was Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON, another member of the CET Dressage Short List “A”. Aboard her 10-year-old Ukrainian gelding, Ariston, MacLachlan earned a score of 61%. The pair returned to the ring in the FEI Grand Prix Special, where tight scoring put them in third position with 62.72%.
After getting warmed up with a second place finish in the FEI Prix St. Georges (PSG), veteran Tom Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON, earned third place in the FEI Intermediaire 1 after scoring 64.75% with Alyson Carpenter’s 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding, Fortissimo. In the Intermediaire I Freestyle, Dvorak rode the talented gelding to a second place finish with an impressive score of 68.417%.
“Fortissimo was really good in the Prix St. George, and I was quite pleased with the Freestyle. Overall I was very happy, and had a really positive showing,” commented Dvorak, who also received top ribbons in the lower levels with his younger horses.
The Intermediaire 1 Freestyle also saw Ute Busse, finish in seventh position. The Breslau, ON native received a score of 62.667% aboard Lindor’s Finest, the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion she co-owns with Sylvia Carlton. Right at her heels in eighth place, with a score of 62.625%, was Gary Vander Ploeg from King City, ON with his 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding Cezanne.
Even with contemptible weather, Canadians were pleased with both their results and the venue.
“The Paxtons put on a top show, the footing held up to four days of rain, and the stabling was excellent” commented Costin. “The Canadians, as usual, are good competition for the Americans on their home ground at these big shows.”
Dvorak, who was also very happy with the competition stated, “Despite the bad weather, it was a top notch show. They did a really good job and had super organization.” He continued, “On the whole Canadians did well and were in the ribbons consistently. There are lots of green horses in the small tour that are in their first year of competition, and they were quite successful.”
About Dressage Canada
Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the National governing body for Dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada’s objective is to foster the growth of Dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials’ education and programs, rules & qualifying criteria, sport development, publications & awards. For more information about Dressage Canada email [email protected] or visit us online at www.dressagecanada.org
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