Consistent results in three phases show eventing program rebuild is working to produce for Canada.
July 29, Paris, FRA – If consistency is where Canada started, that’s how they finished. The Canadian Eventing Team held their place on the leaderboard from yesterday’s cross country to finish 11th overall in the team event. Each athlete put in strong performances spread throughout the competition, each highlighted in one of the three disciplines.
Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Show Jumping day was that for the now three-time Olympian Jessica Phoenix. After adding an unfortunate 20 penalties on cross-country, she and mare Freedom GS (Humble GS x Fidertanz) owned by Charlotte Schickedanz and groomed by Lisa Barry, posted a stellar double clear round as Canada’s lead off combination.
“In the warm-up today she was just ready, she wanted to get to business,” said Phoenix when asked how she felt about their round. “When she went in that ring it was pure joy from start to finish. You wait your whole life to have a horse that wants it as bad as you do and it’s just such an incredible feeling to do that in front of your family and friends and country on the world stage. It was a big moment and I’m so proud of what we did today.”
Even with her double clean jumping round, her score remained at 67.80 for a final placement of 38.
Mike Winter and El Mundo
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Michael Winter and El Mundo (Numero Uno x Calvaro F.C.), the gelding co-owned by himself, wife Emma and Jonathan Nelson and groomed by Amy Ferris followed with a solid performance where they had just the final rail down adding only four penalties to finish on 49.60 for 35th place.
“We selected him as a young horse, we have done all the training with him, fitness, and preparation,” Winter said when asked what helped get the two of them here. “The fact that he is as enthusiastic on the last day as he was on the first day, I feel like at least we have done something right in the process. Although I didn’t get a personal best, which was my goal, Canada’s in a rebuilding process and hopefully with this result, we can help retain our support structure.”
Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo
Photo Credit: Cara Grimshaw
Fresh off a phenomenal run on cross-country and now officially an Olympian, Karl Slezak and his mare Hot Bobo sired by VDL Arkansas that he co-owns with wife Katlyn Hewson and groomed by Amber Wavryk regrettably had a more challenging day of show jumping. With three rails down, they added 12 to their score to end on 52.60 for 32nd place.
“I am thrilled with the weekend, we definitely have a few things we can work on for the future, but super excited about this horse, our team and the whole program going forward.”
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Chef D’Equipe Rebecca Howard had similar sentiments to share. “This team had solid performances across three different phases. Even though there were some results we were hoping to be better, really in the scheme of the program and the trajectory of where we are going, it is a positive step for Canada,” she said.
“Importantly, we finished a team, they all showed strengths that will continue to grow into future championships. There is a lot to be happy with and proud of with these athletes this weekend.”
Howard continued to give thanks for those that made the Games possible. “Thank you to Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and all of the donors that have provided their support of our programs and for their assistance in helping get us to the Games,” Howard shared. “We also share our immense appreciation for our hosts at Paris 2024. The time spent here and in Lignières has been indescribably special.”
