2/ AUGUST 2019 THE RIDER


Pan Am Games Continued from Page 1.


29 with laser focus to achieve their dual goals of gold medals, and a spot for Tokyo 2020 as one of the top two teams not already qualified. The Team Final con-


sisted of the Intermediate I for small tour entries and Grand Prix Special for the big tour, and also acted as the second individual quali-


fier. Kicking off the Cana- dian Team’s journey to the podium was small tour com- bination, Kellock, 29, of Toronto, ON and Floratina (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD), owned by Chloe Gasiorowski. For the second day in a row, Kellock and the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare set a personal best record, receiving a score of 73.147% from the Dressage Ground Jury, which in- cludes FEI 4* Dressage Judge, Brenda Minor of Acton, ON. Their back-to-


back third place finishes in the small tour also have them sitting third overall in the individual standings. “I am thrilled. Today


was by far the best feeling I’ve ever had in the ring with Floratina, and I couldn’t be happier – she brought it,” said Kellock, who took over the ride on Floratina less than a year ago, yet has never scored below 70% in a single class entered. “When you go at the beginning, you want to start strong for your team.”


Facing that same pres-


sure to help nail down an early lead was Irwin, 38, aboard her long-time part- ner, Laurencio (Laurentio x Donnerhall), a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co- owns with her husband and fellow elite dressage athlete, Jaimey Irwin. It was mis- sion accomplished when they became Canada’s top- scoring combination for the second day in a row after achieving 73.853%. Their score would prove to lead the small tour rankings right up until the final entry, Sarah Lockman of the US aboard First Apple. Having finished second in the small tour both days, Irwin and Laurencio are also holding second on the individual leaderboard, with Lockman in the lead. “I needed to go for


Lindsay Kellock and Floratina Photo Credit: © Cealy Tetley - www.tetleyphoto.com


more energy today, so I did that,” said Irwin, who is at- tending her second Pan American Games, previ- ously earning team silver during the 2011 edition in Guadalajara, MEX. “No risk, no gain – so I had a lit- tle bobble in my half-pass, which was a coefficient, but I don’t regret it because I think you have to go big or go home. You’ve got to go for it, and you’ve got to push, so I’m happy I did that today.” Speaking to the feel-


ing of winning team gold, Irwin continued, “It’s a huge accomplishment. There was a lot of pressure on our team (to qualify Canada for Tokyo), but we gave it our all today. We brought our ‘A’ game and we’re very, very proud.” Following the first two


Tina Irwin and Laurencio Photo Credit: © Cealy Tetley - www.tetleyphoto.com


flights of riders, Canada had overtaken the US, and after Moreira Laliberté - just 22 years of age and making her major games debut - stayed cool under pressure to earn 71.787%, the gold medal became a mathematical cer- tainty for Canada. Riding Statesman, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding sired by Sandro Hit and owned by KML S.à.r.l., Moreira Lalib- erté won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special as an individual and is currently sitting fourth on the overall leaderboard. “The goal today was a


really steady and clean ride for the team, and we achieved the plan, so I’m re- ally happy about that,” said Moreira Laliberté, who is the daughter of Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Lalib- erté. “Once I realized that this is a big venue, but re- ally, it’s another sandbox that just happens to be here


at the Games, then I just fo- cused on riding like I usu- ally do and that took my pressure away.” Irving, 56, also con-


tested the big tour, finishing third in the Grand Prix Spe- cial and contributing a score of 67.851% to the team aboard Degas 12 (De Niro 6 x Regazzoni), a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Irving and Windhaven Farm. Irving also took third in the Grand Prix during the first day of competition to stand 11th on the individual


Games in Mill Spring, NC. “But, my teammates made up for it. I’m really proud of our team. I think it’s great to be coming in the second day a little bit behind – you don’t have to ride defen- sively, you just put on your ‘A’ game, and that’s what they did. It’s been an amaz- ing Games. The venue is world class, the footing is great, the stabling is great, and the food is amazing. Honestly, it’s been epic.” Canada’s gold medal


was earned on a team total


and Cali, COL in 1971. “Coming here, right


from the start, there was no question that we were here to win gold. That was the goal and they made it hap- pen.” said Canadian Dres- sage Team Chef d’Équipe, Christine Peters. “These girls rode their heart out for Canada and I’m very proud. What impressed me the most about this group is how they came together as a team and supported each other; the four of them have been like sisters. To have


Naima Moreira Laliberté and Statesman Photo Credit: © Cealy Tetley - www.tetleyphoto.com


Jill Irving and Degas 12 Photo Credit: © Cealy Tetley - www.tetleyphoto.com


leaderboard. “Degas is in great


form but he was spicy yes- terday, and really spicy today, and it cost me some very expensive mistakes,” said Irving, who also rode Degas 12 for Canada at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian


score of 440.111. The US took silver with 437.791, while the bronze went to Brazil (408.696). Lima rep- resents the third team gold for the Canadian Dressage Team, having also topped the Pan Am Games podium in Havana, CUB in 1991


them bring home team gold for Canada for the first time in so many years is incredi- ble.”


For more information


on equestrian events at the Lima 2019 Pan Am Games please


visit www.lima2019.pe/en .


With features like Horse of the Week, Horse Life, Riding with the Stars, and more!


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