Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Team members and supporters watch and cheer from the Kiss and Cry in Pratoni.
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

First up for the Canadian team was two-time Olympian Hawley Awad of Aldergrove, BC, and Jollybo (Jumo x Danzig Connection), an 18-year-old British Sport Horse mare she co-owns with Jollybo Syndicate LLC. In the first session, the pair finished with a score of 65.25% translating to 34.8 penalties and leaving them in 29th place at the end of day one. “I was happy with her, it was unfortunate she cantered out of the first halt but I thought she got back into her rhythm and did a solid Jollybo test,” said Awad.

Awad is looking forward to the cross country phase on Saturday, “this is special for me, representing Canada for the fourth time and second instance with Jollybo, the horse deserves it more than I do, she’s been one of the best horses in Canada for many years.” Awad added “She’s very consistent, hopefully we maintain that on Saturday as it’s a big track and I think I’m sitting on the best cross country horse in the world and I’m going to do my very best – now we get to do the fun stuff.”

Awad feels Pratoni has a different feel, “the Italian people have been amazing, I half joke with my husband about moving here! The food is exceptional and we were hosted by Italian eventer Mattia Luciani and his family, they were the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life,” she said. 

Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Hawley Awad and Jollybo competing in the Dressage ring
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

Next in the dressage ring for Canada was Karl Slezak of Tottenham, ON, and Fernhill Wishes or “Chocy” (Chacoa x Gildawn Diamond), a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding he co-owns with Kirk Hoppner. The duo completed the test with a score of 62.22% and a total of 37.8 penalties to finish in 38th place for the day.

“Chocy was great, I was pleased with him,” said Slezak. “Unfortunately he didn’t get those changes today but we did everything else I was hoping for – he loves performing in front of crowds like today.”

That hope comes from preparation over the past months with Slezak and Fernhill Wishes having travelled over to the UK this spring to compete at the Badminton Horse Trials, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Five Star events. The pair then decided to stay in England to train in the lead up to World Championships.

“It was fantastic,” said Slezak, referring to their time in the UK. “We were able to train with Rodney Powell and Alex Franklin, it was phenomenal – we were able to meet other great trainers to receive some feedback, the whole experience was unbelievable.” Being able to compete in Italy for World Championships also hits close to home for Slezak, as his mother is Italian.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Slezak is confident in his horse after completing a course walk. “The course looks great, all of it looks doable, lines look good – definitely some challenges out there with the hills at the beginning but it will be good to cruise at the end.”

Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes completing their dressage phase at the FEI World Championships in Pratoni, ITA
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

Competing as an individual in Pratoni was Dana Cooke of Merritt, BC, and Mississippi (Cassini II x Legaat), a 12-year-old German-bred mare owned by the FE Mississippi Syndicate, who compiled a score of 65.74% (34.3 penalty points) to finish 28th at the end of day one of two. “I’m quite happy with Mississippi,” said Cooke. “I hoped she was more forward, but I think she put in a good and an accurate test, we tried pretty hard and I’m quite happy.”

Cooke began her partnership with the mare as a four-year-old. “I wasn’t going to buy her,” she recounted. “But my coach Clayton Frederiks convinced me to try her, and I was sold. She’s very sweet, pretty quiet but picks and chooses who she likes. If she likes you, she always fixes her ears and says hello,” Cooke continued. “Everybody recognizes her, and we call her Ms. Perfect, because she is generally doesn’t put a foot wrong.”

Onwards to Saturday’s cross-country, Cooke shared some initial thoughts, “It’s definitely not a dressage show,” she said. “There’s a lot to do out there, the combinations use the terrain quite well and the camber of the ground – there is definitely some tricky questions out there.”

Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Dana Cooke and Mississippi
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

In her first role as the Chef D’Equipe, two-time Olympian Rebecca Howard is getting used to her new title. “So far I’m enjoying it and it’s a great group of riders to work with and great group of support staff around us,” she said.

Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Holly Jacks hugs and congratulates teammate Dana Cooke after her test.
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

When asked about today’s tests she remained very positive. “For Day 1, I think the riders should be proud and happy with themselves, everyone has gone out and done what they can do and that’s all we can ask. Hopefully it gives the other two confidence going into tomorrow.”

On Friday the remaining Canadian combinations will be competing in Dressage when Holly Jacks and Candy King start at 10:41 CEST and then Mike Winter and El Mundo at 3:19 CEST.

On Saturday starting at 10:30 am (CEST), athletes will switch their focus to contest the cross-country course designed by course designer and show director Giuseppe della Chiesa.

To stay up to date and cheer on the Canadian team, follow the Equestrian Canada social media channels throughout the FEI World Championships – Pratoni 2022.

For schedules and further information, please click here 

Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Le Pin-au-Haras, FRA, Sept. 15, 2022 – Kelly Houtappels-Bruder, originally from Ariss, ON, residing in Steensel, NED aims to reach the podium at the 2022 Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Driving World Championships for singles held from Sept. 15 – 18 in Le Pin Au Haras, FRA.

Coming off a silver medal at the 2020 FEI Driving World Championships for singles in Pau, FRA, Houtappels-Bruder looks to continue her success with her partner Flip (Fidertanz x Carprilli), a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding whom she co-owns with her husband Frank Houtappels. 

Team Canada Pratoni and Le Pin-au-Haras Update – Thursday Sept. 15

Photo Credit: Melanie Guillamot

Houtappels-Bruder will competing in her fifth World Championships and this year’s competition will feature 75 riders from 18 countries, with Dressage phase beginning for the Canadian duo on Friday at 2:30 local time. The pair will then compete in the Marathon stage on Saturday and conclude the championships on Sunday with cones.

Follow along Houtappels-Bruder and Flip on our Equestrian Canada social media channels

Please click here to find out times and results for the Canadian driving pair

About Equestrian Canada

Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada. EC thanks the Government of Canada for their financial support.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Melanie McLearon
Director, Marketing and Communications
mmclearon@equestrian.ca
c: 705-955-7899

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