It’s a well known fact that we love Team Canada here on Eventing Nation, and it has been an absolute pleasure to report on Canada’s emergence as an international eventing team force, even if the rest of the eventing media still hasn’t gotten the message. Five years ago I used to joke that I should just marry a Canadian girl and go to the Olympics for Canada because I had already done a two-star. Not anymore. Canada should be really proud of their eventing team–it’s a fabulous group of riders and horses.
In case you recently returned from a vacation in Siberia:
Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo
Steph Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master
Kyle Carter and Madison Park
Jessica Phoenix and Exponential
Hawley Bennet-Awad and Gin & Juice
(1) I gave Kyle a hard time in our team announcement post–only because I know Kyle can handle it–but I think it was a great decision to put Kyle on the team and not just because I’m a big fan of Kyle’s. Kyle and Madison Park jumped clear XC rounds for Canada the 2007 Pan Ams and 2008 Olympics, and Kyle’s experience brings a great veteran presence to an otherwise young Canadian squad. With everything on the line, under big-time pressure, Kyle is the man that Canada wants in the saddle.
(2) Speaking of men, where are they? With five ladies and one guy, Team Canada has the highest proportion of ladies that I have ever seen on an international squad, although Kyle might count for two guys or at least one and a half. I have written before that I think lady eventers are particularly tough and the lady Canucks are no exception.
(3) Between Port Authority and Exponential, Canada has two of the best jumping horses in the entire world.
(4) When I look at this tremendous squad that Canada has assembled, I have to give a ton of credit to the brilliance of Graeme Thom and the rest of Eventing Canada for hiring the all-star team of David, Dr. Ober, and farrier Randy Pawlak.
(5) One interesting decision by the Canadian selectors was to pick Rebecca Howard’s horse Riddle Master, who has never been to a four-star. Riddle Master was targeting Rolex, but diverted to the Bromont CCI3* after Rebecca Howard broke her collar bone, among other things, at Pine Top. Rebecca has always struck me as one of the most intensely focused eventers I know–she never gets too excited or too upset. Moving up successfully at the WEGs is no small feat, but Rebecca has the poise to do just that. Link: Rebecca Howard’s selection blog
Update: Chelan sent a quick email reminding me that Exponential has also not done a CCI4*, but considering that Exponential clears advanced sized fences by 4 inches anyway, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.
(6) To win a team medal at the World Equestrian Games, either Canada needs to improve their dressage scores or the XC needs to be insanely challenging. Each member of the Canadian team needs to make it their personal commitment to take 5 points off of their dressage scores over the next two weeks of training sessions. Do that, and anything becomes possible.
It’s time to turn our attention back to the US team selections, which will get Eventing Nation’s full attention today. Go eventing.
