Arriving early was a good thing for Canada’s Event Riders at 2006 WEG
“The horses shipped and settled well. We came in a day earlier than planned, but, in hindsight, that was a good thing. It helped them adjust, especially with all the activity from the beginning of dressage. It was good for the riders, too. They got to learn the system,” said Canadian Eventing Chef d’Équipe, Greg Paull.
“Both are young horses Paris II (Kelli McMullen-Temple’s mount) and Napalm (Ian Roberts’ mount) are competitive at this level or they wouldn’t be here. David O’Connor is a very competitive coach and will get the most out of them.” O’Connor, an American Olympic Gold Medalist and Canada’s International Technical Advisor, has been coaching both competitors for several months and has been working with them on site.
“We hope that both finish soundly and happily with good cross-country and show jumping rounds,” Paull continued.
“At least a third of the cross-country course is relentless in regards to technical questions, but is well within the scope of our horses. Best case: both are capable of top 20 and one in the top 12. Both should be in the top half, and if they are not, something went wrong.”
Multiple Olympian and former Canadian Eventing International Technical Advisor, James Wofford, said, “The course is a big, galloping jump course. It is fair at the World Championship level and asks some very technical
questions.”
Ian Roberts will ride his Dressage test on the first day of Eventing competition and Kelli McMullen-Temple rides hers on the second. Both will compete in the Cross Country phase on the third day, Saturday, August 26th and Stadium Jumping phase on Sunday, August 27th.
Prior to competition horses are evaluated for soundness by a veterinary panel. Both Canadian horses passed with no problems.
This Canadian flag, hanging outside Napalm's stall door, has already gathered a large number of signatures. Photo © Ceci Flanagan-Snow |