Canadian Karen Brain Wins Second Paralympic Equestrian Bronze

Canadian Paralympian Karen Brain of London, ON, accomplished a significant victory for Canada by winning her second bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games in the Grade IV Freestyle dressage test on September 24, 2004.

Aboard Dasskara, a loaned 12-year-old German bred mare, Brain skillfully performed a complex Freestyle dressage test, earning a score 77.227%.

“Karen rode a phenomenal Freestyle test,” said Chef d’Equipe, Jane James. “It was just lovely to watch. She executed flawless flying changes and perfect trot and canter half-passes.”

The Grade IV Freestyle gold medal went to Norway's Ann Cathrin Lubbe on the Danish Warmblood Stallion, Zanko with a score of 80.045%.  The silver medal went to Philippa Johnson of the Republic of South Africa with a score of 78.273%. 

In the Grade II Freestyle, Canadian rider Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, riding Dior, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, placed 6th with a score of 73.056%.  The gold medal went to Irene Slaettengren of Sweden on Larino with a score of 78.944% and silver went to Hannelore Brenner of Germany on Roquefort 16 with a score of 76.056%. The bronze medal was won by Great Britian’s Nic Tustain, scoring 75.000% aboard Prinz Heinrich.

Dax Adam of Scarborough, ON, and Copper Rose, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred mare, finished in 16th place in Grade II Freestyle with 64.556%.

Unfortunately, Judi Island of Cheltenham, ON, was unable to compete in the Grade I Freestyle.

Tomorrow, the last day of Paralympic Equestrian competition, riders of all grades will perform the team test. The top three riders from each team will combine their three test scores- the individual, the freestyle and the team test, towards overall team score.

Complete results of the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games can be found at www.athens2004.com.

In the Paralympics, each rider is classified according to their functional ability.  They are assessed by physiotherapists and doctors who have completed the classification workshop. They evaluate either muscle strength, coordination, or a combination thereof throughout the athlete's body.  Each part of the body is given a score out of five, with five being normal range or strength. The scores are added and the total is compared to a chart and the rider is placed in one of approximately 40 profiles.  Each grade is comprised of certain profiles.  The profile each athlete is assigned indicates the grade in which they would compete. Paralympic athletes are either those who acquired a disability from an accident, were born with a disability, or have a deteriorating condition. They can be reclassified if their condition changes for whatever reason. The grade a rider is in is representative of the functional ability and not their skill development as a rider.

Each grade has their own list of tests containing different movements.  Judges are looking for the same quality of the paces and movements no matter what the grade. For example, the walk must be performed at the same level from Grades 1 through 4.  Grade I riders are separated into "A" and "B".  "A" riders walk only, and "B" riders walk and trot.  At the Athens Games all Grade I riders, both “A” and “B” compete together. Grade II riders walk and trot, with longer periods of trot, and Grade III riders walk, trot and canter with little lateral work. Grade IV riders do all paces with more lateral work.

The first Paralympic Games to hold a dressage event was in Atlanta in 1996 with “draw” horses. Athens is the first Paralympic Games to hold an “own” horse competition, and this is first time Canadian horses have competed in International competition outside of North America.