At last! We have the official Canadian Equestrian Teams, horses and riders, for the World Equestrian Games. WEG is the world championships for the eight FEI (International Equestrian Federation) disciplines of dressage, eventing, jumping, reining, vaulting, endurance, driving and para-dressage. There will be athletes from more than 70 countries competing before 500,000 spectators.
Equestrian Canada , the national federation, made the announcement at the Caledon Equestrian Park during the provincial Trillium Championships today, Saturday, September 1st. Dressage is the discipline I ride in so the announcement of the Dressage Team was of particular interest to me. Sadly, all of the members of the Dressage team and the reserve, are already in North Carolina at training camp, with their horses, so none were able to be present for the celebration. The announcement of the teams was led by Equestrian Canada Director of Sport and Chef de Mission for WEG 2018, Jon Garner. He was assisted by a group of young riders who are competing in the provincial championships. From what I could see no members of the teams were present.
I ride and train with Belinda Trussell who has been named to the Canadian Dressage Team. I know that a week ago boxes arrived at her farm full of Team Canada gear. That is encouraging but it is not the same as an official “you are on Team Canada, congratulations!”
The dressage riders who were competing over the last winter season in Florida and also during the summer here in Canada, know their standing in terms of scores. They know who the top four scorers are and who would be in the reserve position. But this is not the same as being officially told you are on the team.
But now, at last, we have the Dressage Team. Here they are!
Brittany Fraser and All In
Megan Lane and Caravella
Megan Lane also qualified a reserve horse…Zodiac.
Jill Irving and Degas
Belinda Trussell and Tattoo
And the reserve is Diane Creech with Diane C. In this photo Diane is riding Chrevis Christo.
I watched the announcement on Facebook live. It was fun to see all the young riders come out with the names of the teams but somehow it seems a shame if you are going to have a big splash not to have some of the team members there.
I am all in favor of encouraging the younger riders who are coming up the ranks. and having them there for the big team announcement. Yes, they are the future. But is it not important to support our athletes who are on their way to compete for Canada now, who are competing at the biggest equestrian championships outside of the Olympics?
I just wish that the teams could have been announced earlier so the riders could have taken part in the announcement celebration and we could have sent them off with the applause they deserve. Nevertheless I’m applauding here and I know many others are joining with me.
I have media accreditation and will be at WEG to cover the dressage. Best of luck to all the riders and horses on the Canadian Equestrian Teams at the World Games!
GO TEAM CANADA !
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