MAY 2010 THE RIDER / 41
Section 2 INSIDE
The Canadians Shine at Rolex and the Kentucky Cup
By Shawn Hamilton.
The Canadians have stepped up their game with the help of our southerly neighbours. Since U.S. eventer David O’Connor has taken over the coaching position for the Canadian Eventing Team and U.S. Dressage rider Robert Dover on our side for dressage it is time for peo- ple to sit up and take notice of Canadian equestrians in dressage and eventing on the international circuit. At the Kentucky Horse Park, location of the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Cana- dians Belinda Trussell with her mount, Anton, and Bonny Bonnello on Pikardi finished an impressive sec- ond and third respectively in the Kentucky Cup Grand
behind you makes us more cohesive. We have very tal- ented horses and riders right now and I don’t think that since 1988 we have had as many as seven or eight possi- ble combinations that are all strong enough to be in the top four.”
The same can be said in regards to the Canadian Eventing world. Since David O’Connor has joined as Canadian Eventing coach our riders appear more focused and as David coins “ready to do business”. This was the first Rolex three day event in history that Cana- da brings nine horse and rider combinations to compete
Continued on Page 43.
Rolex & Kentucky Cup ..................41 CTHS Awards.................................42 Endurance Riders to WEG..............42 Nicole Shinton ................................43 Outdoor Equine Expo .....................44 Spring Fling Fashion Show ............45 OnTRA News .................................46 Fitness Column ...............................47 Jump Canada Task Force................48 Caledon Fair Celebrates 150...........48 Toronto CADORA..........................48 Lynn Palm.......................................49 Brooklin Spring Fair.......................50 The Carriage Driver........................51 What’s Up Doc?..............................52 M2 Dressage ...................................53
Equestrian Factory Outlet ...............54 Equimania at Can Am.....................55 Kate Romanenko ............................55 System Tack Opens Doors..............55 Strangles .........................................55 Events .............................................56 Breelee Farms .................................61 Jump Canada Nominations.............62 CTHS Fees......................................62 Sandaraska Park..............................63 Wind Rider Challenge ....................65 Classifieds.......................................66 Directory Ads ............................67-71 Real Estate ......................................68 Eventing Talent Squad....................75
Bonny Bonnello. Photo by Clix Photography
Prix dressage portion of the test event for WEG. Belinda feels that Robert had been a huge part of Anton’s improvement. “This is a maturing process with Anton, we are working on expression and building him in the ring so he can go in and enjoy his job. What he showed us today is just a fraction of what he has to offer.”
This was a personal best for Bonny and Pikardi and with their score of 68.638 % in the grand prix they will continue their journey heading off to train with the Canadian team in Europe as a contender for the Alltech Fei World Games. “Every show Pikardi becomes stronger and more confident, I just have to be two sec- onds in front of him”.
The crowd was well entertained by the evening per- formances of the Grand Prix Freestyle as first place U.S. rider Tina M. Konyot rode her black stallion Calecto V to the music including KT Tunstalls “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree” earning them a score of 76.35 %. Coming back from a severe ankle injury in December of 2008 Tina was pleased with the performance of her 17.1 hand black Danish Warmblood stallion “I have had many other stallions and most were handfuls but this one is sweet and kind.” It was a good weekend for the pair as well as Tina’s boyfriend Canadian thoroughbred trainer Roger Atfield whose horse won the Bewitched Stakes in Kentucky the same weekend.
Placing second in the freestyle with his mare Naomi, Chris Von Martels feels excited for Canada “This is an exciting time for us, we are fortunate as Canadians to put forth such quality in an event such as this. It is nice to have an international feeling on our own continent”.
Sporting her helmet in the ring, finishing third in the freestyle on her eleven year old Hannovarian gelding Balmoral, Canadian Dressage Olympic Team member Jacqueline Brooks feels that coach Robert Dover has had a huge impact. “This is the most depth we have had in a long time. Knowing that there is more support
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