Wednesday May 2, 2004

2004 Detroit Dressage

Dax Adams Challenges the American Team

Canadian Dax Adams was a Paralympics candidate from Ontario who rode his chestnut thoroughbred CopperRose, 16, to a 68. in the Musical Freestyle, Grade 2. "She got good marks on the serpentine and she was really rhythmical throughout. Her lateral work was pretty good, too." Earlier in the show weather took its toll on this pair, with both rider and horse tensing up in the wind and rain. "On Friday in the medium trot on the long side she spooked. But it was a little bit of a bauble and she was right back into it for the next element. By Sunday she relaxed and I could push her a bit more and get quality gaits.

"I love my horse. I had Jenni Rowe's horse before and she had this one. We found we were suited better to each other's horses." Adams began riding dressage when he was eight and now, 22, he rides with Gary Vanderploeg at Pine Ridge Farm. As Adams continued to ride Rose, the better matched they became. "Rose has only been doing dressage for three years and she tries very, very hard. She does the best for me time and time again." Adams was not selected this time but he expects to try for 2008, depending on whether he goes on to school or work or can make the five-day a week commitment to training that selection consideration requires. In the short term, Dax will compete at Temple Farm, "The American team has invited me to come and do the team challenge with them." He will also continue as a volunteer coach at the Therapeutic Riding Center.