Day One at Paris 2024 is a Consistent One for the Canadians in Iconic Venue with Big Atmosphere.
Dressage
Paris, July 27, 2024 - Canada’s national eventing team have been working over the last two and a half years on their collaboration and teamwork, rebuilding their program and approach. That definitely showed today when each rode at different times throughout the day in rain and changing conditions, with differing highlights to their tests and finished with scores on the leaderboard mere decimal points away from each other at 35.20, 35.80, and 35.40.
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Karl Slezak & Hot Bobo. Photo by Cealy Tetley
Photo at Left: Mike Winter & El Mundo. Photo by Cealy Tetley
“You can’t fault us for consistency!” jested Chef D’Equinpe Rebecca Howard. In addition to the consistency, each combination put together a solid test for the first Olympic ring that each horse has seen. They were also able to deliver a solid base to work from as they head out to cross-country tomorrow.
“I am really happy with them,” continued Howard. “They went in and did a super job, all three of them. They had to deal with how the atmosphere affected them as an athlete themselves as well as their horses and I thought they did a very good job of doing that.”
Leading the day’s performances was Michael Winter of Toronto, ON riding El Mundo (Numero Uno x Calvaro F.C.), a 15-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding co-owned by himself, his wife Emma and Jonathan Nelson, and groomed by Amy Ferris.
Mike Winter & El Mundo. Photo by Cealy Tetley
As a two-time Olympian Winter knows the pressure and excitement of the Olympics. But since his last Games was 16 years ago at Beijing 2008, he knew this might be different for his horse, who he has a loving bond with having developed him over the last ten years.
“First and foremost, I was focused on creating the best Games experience for my horse,” Winter said. “He went in there and was a tiny bit affected by the atmosphere, as we say. I tried to do my best to reassure him and navigate the test well and accurately. I can never be disappointed with him.”
Karl Slezak & Hot Bobo. Photo by Cealy Tetley
Next up in his Olympic debut was Karl Slezak from Tottenham, ON, riding Hot Bobo, the 11-year-old Irish Sport horse mare sired by VDL Arkansas, owned by Slezak and his wife Katlyn Hewson and groomed by Amber Wavryk.
Although it wasn’t fully the result he had hoped for, he was proud of his mare. “I was pleased with her, she was such a good girl.” The experience for both is an exciting time and one that was a long time in the making for Slezak, who was a groom at the 2004 Olympics and is now back as a rider.
Jessica Phoenix & Freedom GS. Photo by Cara Grimshaw
“We’ve worked so hard to be here, and for me, twenty years later, it’s amazing to be here as a rider,” Slezak said. He went on to further describe the thrill of the iconic venue that is the Palace of Versailles. “It’s breathtaking, it’s such a beautiful venue and they have thought of everything and provided all amenities we need to make it the best experience possible.
Anchoring the team was Cannington native and two-time Olympian Jessica Phoenix with the 12-year-old Canadian-bred Trakehner mare Freedom GS (Humble GS x Fidertanz) owned by Charlotte Schickedanz and groomed by eventer Lisa Barry.
Jessica Phoenix & Freedom GS. Photo by Cealy Tetley
With Freedom being new to this level of competition, Phoenix felt she handled the test like a pro. “I am so proud of what this horse did in the ring today,” said Phoenix. “It’s the biggest atmosphere she has ever been in and the first time doing a five-star dressage test,” she continued about the mare she feels has an exciting career ahead. “I was just over the moon with the composure that she held in that ring and the brilliance that she showed. We couldn’t be happier.”
The team ended day one on a combined score of 106.40 for 14th place. Going into cross country, they will be aiming to jump clean and fast to stay under time on the extremely technical course and move up the leaderboard.
With the consistency they showed today and their track record of being able to deliver with passion, teamwork and heart on their side, there is a lot of momentum taking them into day two. Mike Winter will be Canada’s trailblazer and leave the starting box at 10:38 am (Paris time).
Catch all the action live on CBC Gem, CBC-TV and online at cbc.ca.
GO CANADA!
Source: Equestrian Canada