Equus 3D in Belgium

PRESS RELEASE
MONDAY Nov. 20th, 2007

Three local youth, Tyler Edwards, Elizabeth Hawley & Madelaine Ley competed in the AIEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants Cavalier) Nations Cup in Belgium from Nov. 15th to 18th. The competition consisted in Dressage and Show Jumping. Teams of three riders represented fifteen countries. Coach MH Lessard attended as Chef d’Equipe. We were fortunate to have the sponsorship of Reinhart Trailer Sales in Shelburne to help finance a training camp at a facility in Belgium.

The riders had the opportunity to train with the Dressage Coach of the Belgium National Eventing Team as well as two resident coaches. Although limited with travel time, we were able to assist the memorial ceremonies at Ypres and visit Vimy Ridge on Rememberance day as well as view special presentations in Brussels on the anniversary of the Dynasty.

 The competition started with Dressage on Friday. The first round dressage is a synchronized ride in front of  three judges. Riders ride horses provided by the organizers and have 5 minutes to become familiar with the horse. Each horse is ridden by three different riders and the person who achieves the highest score on the horse moves on to second round. Madelaine Ley was selected to move on to second round.

In show jumping, all three riders had a clear round at 1meter height. Madelaine & Elizabeth went on to the second round at 1.10 meters and Elizabeth qualified for the semi-finals at 1.20 meters. Elizabeth finished 6th out of 45 riders. Team Canada also sponsored by Roots Equestrian finished in third place for show jumping behind Ireland and the Netherlands. “ We were impressed by the quality of the horses provided.

The competition was judged by  FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) judges from Ireland and Belgium. The courses were well designed. The top riders in Show Jumping are Grand Prix level competitors, they rode well and deserved to win. I am extremely please with our riders. We surpassed our goal” 

The future is somewhat undetermined at this time for these three riders. Elizabeth is hoping to take a year off  next  year to continue to train and compete on her horse Jeremiah. Madelaine attends a full-time University program at University of Toronto but is planning to go back to training this summer. Tyler is currently taking a semester off from the University of Ottawa. Coach Lessard is pursuing her judging qualifications and continues to train and compete her  young homebred horses and hopes to take another team to Europe this spring.

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