O Canada - A Clean Sweep!
How proud am I of Team Canada tonight? I feel like a proud father after having watched our riders win every CDI GP class! The fabulous combination of Ashley Holzer and Pop Art was not to be touched in either the Grand Prix or the Freestyle tonight where, but for Poppy being a little startled by the audience applause close to the end of his performance, the two put in what I believe was their best test to date! We expected Ashley to be the star but just about as rewarding was watching two other Canadians place 1st and 2nd in the Grand Prix Special this afternoon, as Belinda Trussell riding Anton won with over 68% followed by Victoria Winter on Cindy Ishoy’s Proton with over 67%.
Yes, I am very proud of their victories but I want to say that, though not all the Canadian riders had the tests they hoped for, they all showed exemplary class and grace under pressure. It is the very beginning of the season and, quite unlike Americans or Europeans, the Canadian riders just do not get to show very much, due to many reasons including a lack of competitions, distance to those which there are, and the weather, especially in the mountainous regions. So, considering this show truly was the first big outing for most of our riders in a long time, I know that with a very strong training program as well as a well planned competition schedule, more of our riders will begin to exhibit the same winning qualities seen in our victors this weekend. They are dedicated, focused, and hungry to become a medal winning team, and that kind of spirit goes a very long way. For sure as far as Kentucky!
Cheers!
RD
victoria lee — January 24, 2010 @ 10:32 am
I think having you at the helm goes a long ways…Robert. So much great energy and enthusiasm from the Team of Rider’s you are working with is equally matched in one person’s Leadership…..YOURS! But you have given all of us a scare with your “ER” moment and so with all due respect….Plan some R & R time for yourself along with the goals you have for the Canadian Team…..at the end of this Journey….you will be needed for other Dressage adventures no doubt (hopefully continuing on the Canadian side of the Border)..so we need to keep that energy of yours on tap for a long time to come!!!
Congratulations to all….:)
Shannon Dueck — January 24, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
Robert was just fabulous this weekend and worked so hard for all the Canadians - and I hope he listens to you, Victoria. I must say that Belinda and Anton looked fabulous and Ashley rode a beautiful freestyle. I did not see all the tests, but those two made me proud to be Canadian!
Gary VP — January 24, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
I agree with Shannon. Robert did an outstanding job. We just have to keep him out of the ER!!!! We don’t want the nuclear furnace to self destruct!!!
RDover2 — January 24, 2010 @ 5:11 pm
Thanks, Guys. I promise I am taking the next two days to chill out and spend Robert’s birthday with him in South Beach. I feel so good that our Canadians won all major Grand Prix events and also won the Young Rider and Para-Olympic competitions at the show. It’s just the beginning but I am very proud of everyone for their hard work and dedication, and I guarantee qe are on our way to building a medal contending team for Kentucky.
RD
Jean Dover — January 24, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
Congratulations Robert,
Being your Mother I love saying, I never doubted if anyone could make a winning Dressage team, you could. Over the years so many people have told me you are the greatest Dressage trainer they have ever seen.
Now I want to tell Gary I am sorry I confused you with Gary Rockwell. One day maybe I will get to know you and be able to say you are both Gary, Gary nice!
Robert’s Mom
fran Goodsell — January 26, 2010 @ 12:30 pm
Robert, I was just talking to some American friends last week about the
team coaching system for the Americans, and we are all in agreement that the committee who did not nominate you as team coach made a huge mistake and shot “us” in the foot! Anyone who knows you, knows your passion and Canada is in the best hands. Why does that committee feel the need to nominate foreign coaches, when we have a true American Six time Olympic rider who has never left the sport? You don’t have to answer that! but I just wanted to say that everybody better look out for the Canadians!
I will be at the Jim Brandon show in the middle of February, see you then.
Fran-
kenn acebal — January 26, 2010 @ 11:02 pm
Congratulations Robert!!!
I knew you would have results!!! What a way to start, Congrats to your riders, owners and horses!! I am so thrilled but also i am sad that you don’t get to be at the helm of the effort of the American riders!!
I look forward to seeing you this winter!!
Kenn