By Equine Canada

Canada’s Lauren Barwick has earned Canada’s first medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, FRA. Barwick finished on the podium in the bronze medal position following her Individual Championship Test during the fourth day of para-dressage competition on Thursday, August 28.

Riding Equine Canada’s 13-year-old Oldenburg mare, Off to Paris, in the Grade II Individual Championship Test, Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, finished with the bronze medal following a lovely ride, scoring 70.914 percent.

“I’m super exited today because I medaled for Canada,” said Barwick, who also won individual gold and silver at the 2008 Paralympics. “I owe a great deal of gratitude to our funding partner, Own the Podium.”

Photo: Kevin Sparrow - Robyn Andrews and Fancianna

“It was fabulous today because my mare has been feeling so consistent recently, and we feel like we have finally found the magic equation that gets her in the ring and gets her going really well. We can now add to that equation and just make it better and better,” added Barwick, who received top marks for her medium trot work and eight metre circles throughout her test. “I’m so excited for the freestyle tomorrow.”

“We are ecstatic to have Lauren win Canada’s first medal at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,” said Amie O’Shaughnessy, Director of Para-Equestrian. “It is incredibly rewarding for the entire team, and she is absolutely deserving of this recognition and honour. It is such a privilege to be competing at these Games against the world’s best para-dressage riders here in Normandy.”

“Today was a great day for Para-Equestrian Canada,” said Elizabeth Quigg, the chef d’équipe. “We are absolutely thrilled with our medal that Lauren snatched away from the competition. This success is all due to the hard work of our team, our Canadian funding partners, Equine Canada, and everyone who has worked so hard this past year to make this happen.”

Also competing today was Robyn Andrews of St Johns, NL. Riding her own horse Fancianna, a 13-year-old Friesian Andalusian cross, Andrews earned a score of 64.043 percent in the Grade Ia Individual Championship Test, which was good for 17th place.

“The Games were amazing and such a good experience,” said Andrews, who is making her Canadian Team debut at the World Championships level. “I am never going to forget the feeling of walking into the arena and seeing all the spectators as I headed out to do each test. It was an incredible sight.”

The competition wraps-up on August 28 with the Individual Freestyle Tests for all Grades. Canada will be represented by Barwick riding Off to Paris in Grade II, and Roberta Sheffield riding Bindro T in Grade III. Both riders will be aiming for a podium finish.

“Each Canadian rider has strengthened their performances every time they have gone into the ring, and we are thrilled to have Roberta and Lauren qualified for the Freestyle tomorrow. We are looking forward to some great results. Thank you to our all of our sponsors, funding partners, team supporters, and our fans for their continued confidence in our team,” exclaimed O'Shaughnessy.

Leading the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team at the Games is Amie O’Shaughnessy, Director of Para-Equestrian; Mary Longden, team coach; Andrea Taylor, team coach; and Elizabeth Quigg, chef d’équipe. The full team complement also includes Kerry-Anne Bourne, Lauren Massey, and Emma Hale as grooms; Diana Andrews, Laura Dixon, and Justine Bowers as athlete support; Sue McTavish as coach/groom; Caroline Archambault as RMT; and Anna Johnson as Para-Equestrian Coordinator. 

For a complete schedule of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, as well as full information and results, visit www.normandy2014.com. 

For a full list of Canadians competing at the Games, rider bios and more, visit www.equinecanada.ca/cet or download the new Equine Canada Mobile App - EquineCAN!

Live broadcasts of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 will be available for viewing at through FEI TV.  

The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. The inaugural Games were hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990. Since then, the Games have been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, Aachen (GER) in 2006 and Lexington (USA) in 2010. 

Main Article Photo: Kevin Sparrow - Lauren Barwick and her bronze medal mount, Off to Paris.