50/ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010 THE RIDER 2010 Alltech F.E.I. World Equestrian Games


By Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography. The opening ceremonies of the 2010 All- tech F.E.I. World Equestrian Games at the Ken- tucky Horse Park in Lexington began with an equine extravaganza. The American Saddlebred, Arabian, Morgan, Kentucky’s own thorough- bred and an incredible display of dressage freestyle by the Friesian Train wowed the spec- tators. The Culver Academy Black Horse Troop paraded the ring, William Shatner drove a


buggy, Stacey Westfall performed on her famous western freestyle horse Roxy and horse trainers Mario Contreras, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, Dan James and Tommy Turvey shared the spot- light. Music by Winona Judd, Sarah Lee Guthrie, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and the American Spiritual Ensemble filled the crisp night air while Pearce Lyons of Alltech, the official sponsor of the Games, rode in a baby blue convertible with Muhammed Ali.


Earlier that day Spanish Endurance rider Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton completed the one hundred mile course in seven hours thirty five minutes and forty four seconds on her fifteen year old Arabian gelding Nobby. Just one minute and twelve seconds later Shiekh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum crossed the finish line with two team mates close behind securing the Team Gold medal for the United Arab Emirates. France and Germany took silver and bronze respectively. Sixty year old Robert Gielen of Edmonton, Alberta was the fastest Canadian fol- lowed by B.C.’s Gail Jewell and Toronto born Ruth Sturley.


One of the most inspiring disciplines, Para Dressage, made its debut at the Games being the first time running in conjunction with the other equine sports. Numerous riders of all levels of dis- abilities performed their dressage tests and freestyle rides in front of the judges and audience. Para Dressage competitors were pleased to be a part of the games competing alongside the other athletes.


“I think being here is amazing” commented Para dressage rider Lauren Barwick from Langley B.C.


Team member Eleonore Elstone felt that it was “an incredible honour to be part of the Cana- dian team”.


Vaulting was a crowd favorite as the fans went crazy during the U.S team’s freestyle which won them team gold. Jeanine Van Der Slijs of Olds, AB finished as Canada’s top female vaulter followed by Alisa Schmidt Hannah Marland.


Vaulting. Photo by Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography.


Colin Schmidt, Canada’s only male Individual vaulter to compete was pleased with his clean per- formances.


Driver Boyd Exell takes home Australia’s first ever World Equestrian Games driving indi- vidual gold medal narrowly beating Dutch World Champion Ijsbrand Chardon whose carriage had been mysteriously vandalized the night before marathon day. American Tucker Johnson fin- ished in third position for Bronze. The team gold medal was awarded to Chardon’s team The Netherlands Silver to the U.S and Germany Bronze. The Canadian driving team consisting of Debbie Laderoute of Calgary, AB and Daryl Billing of Milverton, ON placed sixth as a team. Unfortunately one of Debbie’s horses slipped in the final hazard and got his leg caught over the trace, her groom had to get off the carriage result- ing in penalties and loss of time. Debbie was twenty first over all with Daryl close behind in twenty second individually.


Dressage. Photo by Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography.


Canadian dressage rider Ashley Holzer qualified for the final freestyle where they placed eighth, Canadian Reiner Duane Latimer captured the individual Bronze, The Canadian Eventing team comes home with a silver medal and Show Jumper Eric Lamaze wears the individual bronze with his mount Hickstead claiming the title of Best Horse. Read about each of these disciplines in their own feature articles in this issue.


Driving. Photo by Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography.


Deb Laderoute Photo by Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72