Ashley Holzer and Belinda Trussell Lead Canadians CDIO 5* Aachen

By Julie Cull

Canadian Olympians Ashley Holzer and Belinda Trussell are the top Canadian riders at CDIO 5* Aachen, in Aachen GER, held July 13 – 18, 2010, 2010.

On the fourth and final stop of the Dressage Canada European Tour, Holzer of Toronto, ON and her 2008 Olympic partner Pop Art (Amsterdam x Cabochon), earned a score of 69.027% in the Grand Prix test to finish in 13th place out of 37 entries. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding is owned by Rusty Holzer and Moreen Nicoll.

Trussell of Newmarket, ON and Anton (Antaeus x Melit), a 10-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Robyn Eames, scored 68.024% to finish in 15th place in the Grand Prix test.

Canada is also entered in the Nations’ Cup Team competition and is currently sitting in sixth place following the Grand Prix results. The other two Canadian entries in the team competition are Canadian Olympian Bonny Bonnello of Calgary, AB, riding Pikardi (Point Maker x Daimont), a 13-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding co-owned by Bonnello and Jean Bell, and Wendy Christoff and her 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding Pfalstaff, sired by Palladium.

“The Grand Prix went very well. The weather cooled off considerably and the wind was really blowing so the atmosphere was very busy for the Grand Prix test,” said Chef d’équipe Gina Smith. “Our team is currently in sixth by .001 points behind Spain, so we are able to compete again in the Grand Prix Special for the final team results. The Special will be held on Saturday.”

The international judging panel for the CDIO 5* Grand Prix test included 5* judges Leif Toernblad (DEN), Jean-Michel Roudier (FRA), Dr. Dieter Schuele (GER), Wim Ernes (NED) and Gary Rockwell (USA), and 4* judges Andrew Gardner (GBR) and Gustav Svalling (SWE).

The European Tour has been made possible through the Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initiative designed to help Canada’s summer and winter athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canadian World Equestrian Games declared riders remaining in North America may attend Edmonton Gold Rush CDI3*, July 15 - 19, 2010, in Edmonton, AB, in order to earn WEG qualifying scores.

Photos — LewisHarding Ltd.