2004 Olympic Games - Athens, Greece
2004 Canadian Olympic Dressage Team
Leslie Reid & Mark
Cindy Ishoy & Proton
Belinda Trussell & Royan II
Ashley Holzer & Imperioso
Reserve: Evi Strasser & Quantum Tyme
News Releases
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Daily Reports – August 28, 2004
Kim Goodyear
They are in the air! The horses are on route to Germany for the first leg of their journey home.
The grooms spent yesterday packing and headed to the airport at 2:00 A.M.! They left Greece at 5 A. M. Gwynne saw them safely to the airport and on the aircraft and will be flying home with our team leader Mike Gallagher on Monday. They will have a much harder time at the airport than our horses did they have to be there 5 hours (that’s 4 a.m. their time) before their flight for security clearance and huge line ups!
All the horses loaded well and they will lay over in Germany with their grooms and our Team FEI veterinarian Dr. Young for a day and a half before getting on another plane for the final leg home to Canada.
While typing this I just got word that they landed safely in Germany and are settled in their stalls in Varandorf!! Everyone is very tired but the horses are doing extremely well.
All of the horses will be in quarantine in the Toronto area before they make the trips to their homes by ground.
Proton and Imperioso come in on Monday and Mark and Royan II come in on Tuesday at Toronto airport.
That’s all for now. Look for another report when they are all home safe and sound.
Kim
Daily Reports – August 23, 2004
Today was the Grand Prix Special – the first competition towards deciding the Individual Medals. The battle is raging on between Anky and Ulla. Tonight's broadcast should be great!
The Canadian horses are taking it easy. Royan and Imperioso went for a hack on the cross country course yesterday with their grooms Kristin and Denielle, then they had a nice cooling session afterwards (see photos). Cindy schooled Proton yesterday on the off chance there would be a spot open up in the special. Today he gets a nice relaxing day.
All is well for our athletes and they are preparing for the flights home. They leave Athens on the 28th and then have a day to settle in Germany before flying home on the 30th and 31st.
The event team left some useful articles behind for the Paralympic team and Gwynne is going through our equipment to do the same. The Paralympic team is only allowed 100 kg of equipment so anything that we can leave for them is greatly appreciated. We will be leaving general supplies for them such as fly spray, poultice etc.
Daily Reports – August 21, 2004
Canada was able to maintain their position from yesterday and finished 9th in the team standings. Of course we would have loved to have seen higher scores but realistically at this point in our progression as a country in the art of Dressage we are quite happy with the overall results. We are very proud of the team we sent and having moved up a world ranking is quite an accomplishment. In order to even be able to compete at the Olympics we had to beat two very strong teams (which both competed at the 2000 Sydney Games) which we did and then to move up one more spot was great!
Unfortunately none of our horses will move forward into the Special – the cut off score for the special was 67.042 and our highest placed Canadian – Cindy Ishoy had a score of 66.583 a mere difference of .499%, less than ½ %. Imperioso and Royan did very well and they allowed Canada to present two very steady, obedient and clean performances. As always, Ashley did a super job representing Canada and it is always a pleasure to be able to select Ashley for a team as we know that she will be a wonderful ambassador for our sport and our country. This was Belinda’s first Olympics and she did a stellar job. She handled the pressure extremely well and had a great time doing it!
Proton and Mark, our two babies on the team did an exceptional job handling their surroundings and remained focused on their riders. We are looking forward to the future with these two lovely horses. This was also Leslie’s first Olympic experience, added to that was the pressure of riding a young mount (you never really know how these youngsters will handled the environment)and we are so pleased for Leslie and Canada with the performance they provided us. Cindy was also riding a youngster and although the Olympic experience is not new to her (having been an Olympic Bronze medalist and having been to five previous games) it is still more pressure than this combination has seen. They put in a wonderful test and proved that they are world class and will be a combination to watch in the future for Canada.
Canada was well within reach of the rest of the world and it proves we are definitely on the right track.
All in all, the games were a very positive experience for us. The horses are in great shape and will be coming home ready to continue to compete in the fall circuit. Three of our Olympians are also vying with others for entry into the Canadian World Cup League Final at the Royal Winter fair where they will compete for the one world cup spot so that they may represent Canada at the 2005 World Cup Final being held in Las Vegas in the Spring of 2005 (April 20 – 25, 2005). The Royal Winter Fair will prove to be extremely exciting this year – don’t forget to order your tickets!
The High Performance Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the athletes for a job well done! Thank you so very much for the countless hours spent training, traveling, competing and missing your families.
We would also like to offer a very special thank you to Mr. Mike Gallagher – Team Leader who did a terrific job for so very many months in preparation of the games and Ms.Gwynne Rooke – Chef d’equipe whose experience and time has been a great asset to our team. The number of combined volunteer hours that they have spent preparing for the games is endless and so are the miles they have walked in Athens! Two more members of our support team are the very internationally experienced Dr. Alan Young – FEI Team Veterinarian, and Mr. Barney Cummings – Team Farrier.
A thank you must also go out to the horses’ owners: Mark – Mr. Deryol Andrews, and Cindy, Belinda and Ashley whom all own their own mounts.
 The grooms did a great job and our team was presented extremely well – thanks Stephanie, Denielle, Bonnie and Kristin – great job guys – the horses looked super on tv here!!
A thank you must also go to the coaches. Mr. Ziegfried Pielicke, Mr. Udo Lange, Mr. Sjef Janssen, and Canadian Christilot Boylen.
And most importantly thanks to everyone reading this message! Without the support of family, friends and fellow dressage enthusiasts we would be unable to provide Canada such wonderful athletes.
Even though our team has finished competing at the Olympic Games stayed tuned to the website for updates on their activities while still in Athens, more photos and of course information on their journey home.
Daily Reports – August 20, 2004
The first day of Dressage competition is completed and Canada moved up one position. Out of 26 rides today Leslie and Mark finished 15th and Ashley and Imperioso finished 20th. The competition today was intense and at the close of day one the scores are very close.
The lovely breeze that has been present at the site so far, today, was absent. Even with the higher temperatures our horses recovered from their tests quickly and well.
We are very proud of the Canadian Team we have in Athens. We have vastly improved as a Nation in our sport and are looking forward to tomorrow and the future. Missing the Olympics in 2000 was very disappointing and being able to provide Canada with a team at these games shows how we are moving up the ladder towards our goals.
Daily Reports – August 19, 2004
The horses all went through the jog very well. The team decided their order or go: Leslie & Mark will ride first, Ashley and Imperioso will ride in second spot, Belinda and Royan II will be third and Cindy Ishoy and Proton will ride in the anchor position.
The team drew 9th position, right behind Sweden. What a great team draw spot! The USA drew first position.
As I mentioned yesterday the entire team was given the opportunity to ride in the competition ring. They opened the ring again today from 1 – 4 for another familiarization period as the video tron was not on yesterday and so today (right now as a matter of fact) they are able to go back in the ring to allow the horses to see the scoreboard while it is running. Although our horses have all seen this type of scoreboard before - what a great opportunity to ride in the main ring again before the competition begins!
The times for our team are as follows:
Day 1 Leslie Reid & Mark – 10:38
Ashley Holzer & Imperioso – 12:46
Day 2 Belinda Trussell & Royan II – 10:10
Cindy Ishoy & Proton – 12:37
As the Eventing team has completed their competition they are moving out of the apartments today and the Dressage athletes and their spouses are moving in. Months ago the COC kindly agreed that the equestrian venue was far enough away from the athletes village that there may have been commuting issues for our riders so they helped pay for and are allowing the athletes to stay in apartments close to the equestrian site. This provides our athletes with more access to their horses and less stressful driving times to and from Marcopolo. Dr. Young has been staying at the apartments the entire time allowing him shorter travel distance to the horses if he was needed. Gwynne Rooke and Barney Cummings also move into the apartments today. The Dressage team are sharing two apartments and the Individual Jumper (Ian Millar) and his support staff are in another.
All is well in the barns. The horses are comfortable in the main ring and they are all ready for the first day of competition tomorrow.
Good Luck to all!
GO CANADA GO!!
Daily Reports – August 18, 2004
Kim Goodyear
Keep up the well wishes for our athletes. They logged on yesterday and a couple posted replies! They are very appreciative of all the support.
They were able to school in the main ring today! A couple of our horses managed to get in there twice – great schooling for them.They will be allowed in the main ring again tomorrow after the jog.
The dressage contingent was quite supportive to our event team yesterday. If you watched the coverage last night you will have seen Dr. Young pitching in at the cooling station, Neil Ishoy and Stephanie Gow were spotters on the course and Denielle Gallagher was in the finishing box.
The event and dressage grooms also got the stall ready for Ian Millar’s jumper that arrived last night.
Gwynne was at the airport today picking up Mr. Barney Cummings(the Dressage and Jumper farrier) as well as the jumper groom.
The cooperation and support between disciplines has been great and our equestrian teams are working well together. I was told “there is a really good team atmosphere”.
The Dressage Team wishes the eventers the best of luck today in the stadium jumping phase of their competition.
Jog is tomorrow!
Daily Reports – August 17, 2004
All is well in Athens. All the coaches have now arrived and are schooling our athletes and things are progressing nicely. Chef d’equipe Gwynne Rooke and FEI team veterinarian Dr. Alan Young are doing very well and are taking care of all the needs of both our human and equine athletes. Thank you Gwynne and Alan!
Tomorrow (Wednesday) they get to ride in the main ring for ½ hour per country. How exciting! Gwynne is trying to arrange so that they can also use the 5min ring as well so that they have the opportunity to mimic the warm up and journey to the main ring as it will be on competition day.
 The jog is at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday followed by the chefs' meeting at 10:30 where they will draw for country order of go. They must provide our internal order of go at least one hour prior to the jog. The athletes and our chef are discussing rider placement within our team. This decision is a co-operative one between the chef and the athletes. Much thought and strategy go into making this decision and there are many things to consider – horse temperament, athletes show nerves, past experience and the most important factor – where our riders will feel most comfortable.
I had a chance to speak with all of the athletes. They sound great!
Belinda said that Royan is fresh and energetic and she is sounding confident and relaxed. She commented on how very exciting the opening ceremonies were and what an incredible experience she is having.
Leslie said that everyone is so friendly, the venue is beautiful and Mark is doing really well.
 Ashley is feeling great! Perry is happy in his schooling, the team is working well together and she was astounded by the number of Canadian flags in the stands at the opening ceremonies and all the support they are receiving.
Cindy was quite honoured that she and Ashley got to march in the parade up front due to their past accomplishments – she said it was a great time! She said the weather is fabulous – wonderful breeze and very conducive to schooling Proton who is going really well.
The entire Dressage Team wishes the Event team the best of luck today on the cross country!
Look for the athletes on the bulletin board in the next day or two – they are all going to try and log in so that they can read everyone’s best wishes and post a couple of replies!
Two days to the jog!!
Daily Reports – August 16, 2004
Well, I guess the athletes that went to physio enjoyed it so much that now the entire team is going for daily sessions.
The horses are schooling well, seem relaxed and comfortable with their surroundings. They are preparing for the jog on Thursday and the first day of competition on Friday.
Family and friends will all be arriving over the next day or two to cheer our athletes on.
You will hear on most broadcasts about the wind picking up and causing some problems for other sports. The equestrian park is quite happy – the wind just cooled things down a few degrees.
Three days to the jog!
Daily Reports – August 14, 2004
It is a little warmer in Athens today but the horses, athletes and support staff are doing really well.
I spoke with Dr. Alan Young and Chef Gwynne Rooke and everything is proceeding well. Alan is confident that the horses have settled in nicely. Only a few more people to arrive for our team over the next couple of days. Two of the athletes coaches – Udo Lange and Christilot Boylen - arrive today and our team farrier Barney Cummings arrives on the 18th.
They found out today that the Dressage events will be run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Hooray!! Much cooler for our horses. The Eventers dressage is running throughout the afternoon with only a two hour break in the extreme hours of heat so some have to compete in the late afternoon (5:00 p.m.) when it is still very hot. Apparently the beautiful breeze stops from 1 – 5 so it gets quite warm.
The Human Physiotherapist, Liz Harrison assigned by the COC to cover the Equestrian venue, arrived and some of our dressage people took advantage of her services – they were very pleased with her work and Liz has kindly offered to go to the Equestrian site at any time to work on our athletes. Thank you Liz.
Don’t forget to check out Country Canada – they are showing all the Equestrian events daily in the evenings. Go Country Canada! I am sure you will all tune in and also write to this wonderful network and let them know our appreciation to FINALLY be able to watch our Equestrian athletes at the Olympics. Everyone set your VCR’s!!
4 DAYS TO THE JOG!!
Daily Reports – August 14, 2004
Kim Goodyear
 The opening ceremonies were last night and as you saw our athletes had a great time!
It was a very long process for them all but it was well worth it. They left the equestrian site at 4:15 to go to the shuttle at 5:15 to go to the village at 6:16 to assemble and be ready for the 9:00 start! Most got back to their rooms by around 3:00 a.m.
Ashley and Cindy were rewarded for their 1988 medal being placed right behind the flag bearer. They were amazed by the number of Canadian Flags in the stands. Amazingly they received enough tickets for all 9 grooms to go to the ceremony. They were in row 4! A value of $1600 for each ticket and they were very kindly given to the grooms by the COC in recognition of the great work our grooms are doing.
If you caught a glimpse of the athletes you could see they were having a great time!
Quote from team leader Mike Gallagher:
“All I can say is that it was an experience of a lifetime – the sounds and the atmosphere of the ceremonies looking from the inside out was a phenomenal experience and I believe every one of our riders felt the same way. Garry pulled off his Canada shirt and traded it for an ATHOC shirt with one of the attendants. Mike traded his Canada hat for a middle east checkered cloth desert outfit over his head.”
Today is the jog for the Event Team and the Dressage Contingent is going to show their support of their fellow Canadian Equestrian Teammates.
When at the athlete village a couple of days ago picking up their clothing Gwynne took the grooms through the accreditation process and to outfitting while Mike took the athletes to their security briefing, medical briefing and to outfitting. After they finished Gwynne piled all the grooms into the car with all their loot and Mike took the team to lunch at the village and presented them with beautiful leather halters with brass Olympic plates and gorgeous stall placks as mementoes of their participation in the 2004 Olympic Games. How very thoughtful Mike! Thank you!
The horses are doing very well and the athletes are in very good spirits.
5 days to the jog!
Daily Report - August 11, 2004
They made it! All the horses on the Canadian Olympic Dressage Team flew very well and have made it to their stalls at Markopolo. They are all happy and healthy. With the horses flying at night it did cause a bit of jet lag for our chef, vet, grooms and athletes but they have plenty of recovery time – 9 days to the jog!
Tonight there is a Canadian Team Reception for all Canadian athletes and tomorrow they get to go and pick up all their wonderful Roots clothing and luggage. The restaurants in the village are supposedly really great! They have kiosks serving salads, ice cream, bread & cheese, pasta, Asian cooking, Greek cooking etc etc. There is also a McDonalds kiosk. The grooms quarters which are on site are apparently great – the best at any Olympics yet.
Keep checking back to the site for more Olympic news. I will update every couple of days.
If any of you wish to send our athletes, chef, vet, blacksmith or grooms emails of well wishes please feel free to send them to me and I can forward to Athens on your behalf.
Kim Goodyear - Chair High Performance Committee
News
Declared Riders
Dressage Canada is proud to announce the following 8 declared athletes for the 2004 Olympic Games.
(alphabetical order)
Christilot Boylen - Lucky Lemon (owner - Dora Boylen-Pabst)
Jacqueline M. Brooks – Gran Gesto (owner - Anne Welch & Brinc Ltd.)
 Ashley Holzer – Imperioso (owner - Ashley Holzer)
Cynthia Ishoy – Proton (owner - Cindy Ishoy)
Leslie Reid – Mark (owner - Deryol Andrews)
Evi Strasser – Quantum Tyme (owner - Evi Strasser)
Gillian Sutherland – Justin Tyme (owner - Gillian Sutherland & Karen Soupcoff)
Belinda Trussell – Royan II (owner - Belinda Trussell)
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