After 24 years, the prestigious equestrian venue just outside of Rome is host to the eventing world championships. Located just over 50 kilometres southeast of Italy’s capital city, the ‘Impianto Sportivo Equestre di Rocca di Papa – Pratoni del Vivaro’ is situated in the beautiful and mountainous Castelli Romani Park. 90 combinations from 27 nations will be represented, with a total of 16 teams competing for a spot on the podium.
The Canadian Eventing Team, support staff, and team supporters gather together at the Pratoni del Vivaro venue.
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
All five members of the Canadian Eventing team presented at the Horse Inspection today and were accepted to compete. The team, who were staging in two locations, with clusters in Italy and the United Kingdom have all settled in to the venue. Today was also the first day that athletes were able to walk the cross country course to see what kind of obstacles they will be facing on Saturday.
The competition includes two divisions, Team and Individual. Representing Canada in the Team Competition are four members that are a mix of veterans along with a first-timer of a major games’ contingent.
Representing Canada in her fourth World Championship, is two-time Olympian Hawley Awad of Aldergrove, BC, paired with Jollybo (Jumbo x Danzig Connection), an 18-year-old British Sport Horse mare she co-owns with JollyBo Syndicate LLC.
Hawley Awad and JollyBo and Mike Winter and El Mundo
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Making their first appearance in a World Championships are two riders who have represented Canada at other major games. Two-time Olympian Mike Winter of Thornhill, ON, with his mount El Mundo (H.G K M. Derks, Merselo x Calvaro F.C.) a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding he co-owns with Emma Winter and Jonathan Nelson in addition to Karl Slezak of Tottenham, ON, and Fernhill Wishes (Chacoa x Gildawn Diamond), a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding he co-owns with Kirk Hoppner, Karl was a part of the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes and Holly Jacks and Candy King
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Rounding out the team contigent, in her first major games debut for Canada, is Holly Jacks of Pemberton, BC, and Candy King (Mr J Halim Burford x Moothyeb), a 12-year-old British Sport Horse gelding she co-owns with Candy King Eventing Limited Partnership.
Representing Canada, but competing as an individual in Pratoni, is Dana Cooke of Merritt, BC, and FE Mississippi (Cassini II x Legaat), a 12-year-old German-bred mare owned by FE Mississippi Syndicate. Cooke was also a part of the 2019 Pan American Games team with Slezak in Lima.
Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Phase 1 of the Eventing competition will include four sessions of Dressage which are spread out over two days – September 15 and 16, beginning on Thursday at 9:30 am (CEST). Canadians will be in action on both days with Jollybo and Awad up first at 9:46 CEST, Fernhill Wishes and Slezak at 2:16 CEST, and FE Mississippi and Cooke at 5:02. On Friday Jacks and Candy King will start at 10:41 CEST and our last combination in Dressage will be Winter and El Mundo.
On Saturday, September 17, 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.
The Championships will conclude on Sunday, September 18, with the show jumping phase running at 11:30 am (CEST). Medal presentations will commence at 4:00 pm (CEST).
Course Walk
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
The last time Canada reached the podium at the FEI World Championships was in 2010 in Lexington, KY, capturing the silver medal. The same year, the highest individual event was ninth place.
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
For media inquiries, please contact:
Melanie McLearon
Director, Marketing and Communications
mmclearon@equestrian.ca
c: 705-955-7899