Canada Leads After First Day of Pan Am Dressage Team Competition

Ashley Holzer & Gambol ©Cealy Tetley

After the first day of dressage at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ashley Holzer and Evi Strasser have successfully completed their portion of the team competition.

Due to the large number of competitors, the first leg of the dressage competition, the Prix St. Georges test, was split over two days, Aug 6th and 7th.

Holzer, originally from Toronto, ON, was first in the ring for Canada and rode a very accurate and expressive test on Gambol, a nine-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion owned by Dr. Diane Fellows. For her strong performance, Holzer was rewarded with a score of 67.65%. This score couldn't be beat all day.

Ashley Holzer & Gambol ©Cealy Tetley

“We had great Canadian teamwork that made me relaxed and my horse ready before we went in the ring,” noted Holzer. “ My horse was a brilliant boy and he really rose to the occasion.”

Canada’s second rider, Evi Strasser of Ste. Adele, QC, and her horse Quantum Tyme, an eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding, earned a solid score of 66.15% for their clean and consistent performance which was the third highest score of the day. This gave their team the leading score of 134.150. The USA is in second with 131.600 and Mexico currently stands third with a combined score of 122.350.

“Both of our Canadians rode perfect team tests,” remarked Dressage Chef d’Equipe, Victoria Winter. “We are really looking forward to the second half of the team competition tomorrow.”

Evi Strasser & Quantum Tyme ©Cealy Tetley

The rest of the Canadian team, consisting of Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, and Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON, will wrap up the team event tomorrow with their performances.

After the team competition, two remaining tests, the Intermediaire I on Aug. 8th and the Intermediaire Freestyle on Aug. 10th, will determine individual medals.

Canada has won four individual gold medals and three team gold medals during the history of Pan American Games in dressage. The Canadian Dressage Team, with its mix of Olympic veterans and promising recruits, has high hopes for solid tests and great results.

Officiating at the dressage events are Mariette Whitages of Belgium, President of the Ground Jury, Lissette Purcell of the Dominican Republic, Gotthilf Reixinger of Germany, Axel Steiner of the United States and Cara Whitham of Canada.

Individual Placings After Day 1 - Team Competition
1. Ashley Holzer - Gambol 67.65% CAN
2. Carol Lavell - Much Ado 66.800% USA
3. Evi Strasser - Quantum Tyme 66.15% CAN
4. George Fernandez - Joris Las Marismas 66.45% DOM

Team Placings After Day 1 - Team Competition
1. Canada 134.15
2. USA 131.60
3. Mexico 122.35
4. Brazil 122.15

Strasser & the Canadian Cheering Squad