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Phil Wright and Lauren Barwick Represent Canada at the 2009 Hartpury International Para-Dressage CPEDI3*

August 12, 2009

Ottawa, ON --- Canadian performances at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage July 15-19 showcased the talent and ambition of this country’s elite Para-Equestrian riders.

The event, located near Gloucester, England, drew over 200 top Para-Dressage and Dressage riders from nine countries, including a pair of Canadian riders and a full support team. Lauren Barwick, Hong Kong Paralympic gold and silver medalist from Langley, BC, and Phil Wright of Salmon Arm, BC competed in the Para-Dressage Team, Individual, and Freestyle tests.

Barwick attained respectable results including two fourth-place finishes, and only rode the leased horses for six days prior to the competition. Wright was praised for his improvement upon past performances, and his results were highlighted with a 5th place finish in the Freestyle.

“This was a great show for me to get back into the International scene,” said Barwick. “It really helped me get that competitive feeling again and I came home excited about the prospect of my next show.”

Their performances also helped to highlight the level of care and support provided to them by a hard-working team of professionals.

“I am very appreciative of the support group who worked so well together,” said Canadian competitor Phil Wright. “The result was a wonderful team spirit that made this competition a pleasure throughout.”

His co-competitor was quick to heap praise on the group dynamic as well.

“The team camaraderie was great, and the support staff was the best Canada has ever sent,” Barwick said.

The competition, however, was dominated by the top British Para-Dressage riders, including the team, which will represent Great Britain at the upcoming European Championships in Norway.

Barwick rode Fernhill Bella Donna owned by Ian Walsh, and My Passion owned by Jennifer Tappenden. Wright competed with Sheepcote Diorissima, owned by Serena Pincus.

The support team members who travelled with the athletes included Andrea Taylor (National Team Coach), Jessica Rhinelander (Regional Development Coach), Jan Jollymour (Groom), Alice Beatty (Groom), Donna Perry (Sport Psychologist), Shannon Hendrickson (Support Staff), as well as Elizabeth Robinson (Chef d’Equipe).

The Hartbury event was a valuable experience to the Canadian staff and riders for another reason as well.

“We needed to see our riders competing internationally for the first time since Hong Kong,” Robinson said. “It has given us a good indication of how the bar has been raised once again. We will need to find quality, well-trained horses to be competitive in Kentucky at the World Equestrian Games next year.”

Hartpury College is one of England’s leading equine educational facilities, and hosts a number of international competitions. These include the annual Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials and the Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

Final Competition Results:

Lauren Barwick (Grade II) riding My Passion

• 4th in the Team Test with 65.873%

• 4th in the Individual Championship Test with 68.182%

• 6th in the Individual Freestyle Test with 65.550%

Lauren Barwick (Grade II) riding Fernhill Bella Donna

• 13th in the Team Test with 55.079%

• 10th in the Individual Championship Test with 61.667%

• 8th in the Individual Freestyle Test with 64.070%

Philip Wright (Grade IV) riding Diorissima

• 6th in the Team Test with 57.857%

• 6th in the Individual Championship Test with 57.634%

• 5th in the Individual Freestyle Test with 64.465%

About the Para-Equestrian Discipline

In para-equestrian, each rider is classified according to his or her functional ability. They are assessed by trained physiotherapists and doctors who evaluate either muscle strength, coordination, or a combination thereof throughout the athlete’s body. The rider is then given a functional profile that indicates the grade in which they can compete. There are five grades of competitions in dressage, with Grade IA representing the more severely impaired riders, and Grade IV representing the least severely impaired riders. The competition within each grade is judged on the functional skill of the rider, and not the level of disability.

About Para-Equestrian Canada

Para-Equestrian Canada is the discipline committee of Equine Canada that is responsible for developing and implementing programs on behalf of the para-equestrian community and administrating the high performance program for dressage riders with a disability. For additional information regarding Para-Equestrian Canada please visit www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca

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