FEBRUARY 2023 THE RIDER /37


Paris Paralympic Hopeful Awarded 2023 Bridging The Gap Training Bursary


Ottawa, ON, Feb. 1, 2023 – Kyla Sorensen of Wa- terdown, ON, has been selected as the successful recipient of the 2023 Bridging the Gap Train- ing Bursary with five- time Paralympian Lauren Barwick. Canada’s most dec-


orated Para-Dressage athlete joined forces with Equestrian Canada (EC) to provide this unique training and development opportunity to Canada’s next generation of Para- lympic athletes. Along with a $5,000 bursary, Sorensen receives two weeks of private training with Barwick in Ocala, Florida,


accommoda-


tions, and horse board. “Our developing


riders need more oppor- tunities that are friendly, supportive but guided from a performance standpoint. I am really excited to be able to share my 23 years of Para equestrian experience and be able to help shape our sport for the future,” said Barwick. Sorensen and her


horse Gandalf, a nine- year-old Warmblood


gelding (Gid Up Win- chester x Radjah Z) have set a goal to reach the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. The duo has come from a training level horse initially to actively training fourth level and competing in Para Dres- sage Grade IV. Their re- cent performance results have landed them on EC’s Canadian Talent ID team.


Barwick is excited


to welcome Sorensen to her training facility. “I’ve been given so many op- portunities over the years to represent my country,” she said. “I’m looking forward to developing riders to make a stronger group of athletes to pull from for the senior inter- national team — It’s just a small way to be able to give back.” On top of her pas-


sion and dedication to p a r a - e q u e s t r i a n , Sorensen is a full-time physician at Halton Mc- Master Family Health Centre in Burlington, ON. She is thrilled with the opportunity and look- ing to use it to further de- velop an overall high


to the challenge,” she shared. “We work on ways to overcome physi- cal challenges that make some traditional dressage training difficult.” As her coach, she believes in her and that the pair will make the best of this op- portunity. “I have big goals,


Bridging the Gap Training Bursary winner Kyla Sorensen and Gandalf Photo Credit: Matt Dow


performance skill set. Over the past eight


years, Sorensen has been training with six-time Dressage


Olympian


Cindy Ishoy. Shortly after they began working together, Sorensen faced some health challenges. “In 2016, she struggled with her health, subse- quently becoming diag- nosed with Multiple


Sclerosis,” said Ishoy. “This was a challenging time where she still worked exceptionally hard to improve her rid- ing.”


Ishoy has seen her


partnership with Gandalf flourish over the last three years thanks to Sorensen putting in the work. “I’m not easy on Kyla and push her to my


best ability, and she rises


and this training opportu- nity will help Gandalf and I to compete at an in- ternational level,” said the 43-year-old Sorensen. “I dream of one day rep- resenting Canada as a para-athlete, and working with Lauren Barwick, with this bursary from EC will help us develop further as a team to achieve that. The oppor- tunity to learn from a well decorated Para- lympian, and to receive


their mentorship, is price- less.”


In her growth as a


Para-Equestrian athlete, Sorensen’s grit and hard- working attitude are helping her succeed. EC’s


Para-Dressage


Technical Advisor Clive Milkins believes it’ll be a great benefit


to her


growth as an athlete. “Previous recipients


have greatly benefited from the experience and continue to thrive from the mentorship working with the five-time Para- lympian,” Milkins ex- plained. “Many thanks to Lauren for creating a legacy and putting so much back into the sport. The partnership with EC and the Bridging the Gap bursary keeps develop- ing.


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