Team Canada – Ontario Wins Dressage Team Gold

The polished team from Eastern Canada secured Team Gold for the Junior division in Dressage at the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. The winning ride of the day was delivered by Megan Lane, on her delightful mare Caravella, by Contango, with a 67.189. Team Bronze medalist Nicole DelGiorno placed second on Lamborghini Dane with a 66.486, with Roberta Williams jumping in to help her warm up as her coach Rick Klaassen laid in the Lexington Hospital after an emergency kidney stone operation.

The Canadians were to be reckoned with in the Junior division, as team members Meghan Lane and Caravella, Maura O’Sullivan and Pik Czar, Alexandra Dvorak and Fling, and Zachary Ball and Karajan finished on top with a final score of 196.433. “We really worked as a team, and that helped bring it all together.” O’Sullivan stated. Megan Lane made a point to thank everyone for their support “I want to thank all the volunteers, judges and parents who made this all happen. My horse (Caravella) was really great. We have only been together for about four months.

Alexandra Dvorak who trains with her father Olympian Tom Dvorak said of her horse Fling, “He completes me! I really love him." Maura O’Sullivan who finished third overall was thrilled with her horses as well. All junior riders were in awe of the Kentucky Horse Park and the organization of the event in general which have made it a unique and world class experience. Trainers for the Canadian Juniors Jamie and Tina Irwin, Ruth Koch and Albrecht Heidemann, and Tom and Ellen Dvorak all have solid programs.

The Silver Medal Team from Region Three finishing with a combined total of 190.594 consisted of leader Ellen Wall and Tvauri 64.324, Lauren Knopp and Rho Dance, 63.459, and Jessica Deimler and Ragtime V 62.811 and Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love 56.27.

Region Three is in the southeastern United States, all had the chance to be at Gladstone for the National Junior Championships where they bonded as a team. “It was a great setting to be a team and we are also really close friends in and out of the horse world.” said Ellen Wall.  I love being here it is a lifetime experience. This is my first year making the team and we are so excited to be here.”

Jessica Deimler took the opportunity to thank “Without the support of our family, friends and sponsors, and most importantly our trainers we would not have had the opportunity to be here.

Deimler who trains with Karen Lipp and clinics on a regular basis with Michelle Gibson made a point to mention her teammate’s trainers for Ellen Wall, Annaliese Vogt Harber, and for Lauren Knopp Sasha Newman, and for Katrin Dagge the Barteaus.

The Bronze Medal team of Region 1 thrived in spite of emergency surgery of the trainer of the top two riders, Nicole DelGiorno and Melanie Montagano on Ga Deva.

Rick Klaasen drove 16 hours from New Jersey hampered by a kidney stone which landed him in the Lexington Hospital.

Roberta Williams stepped in to help warm them up, and DelGiorno on Lamborghini Dane finished second overall with a 66.486.

Fellow teammates Alison Coyle and Bariton, and Kaitlin Blythe and Daverden rounded out the third place finish.

DelGiorno added that the Young Riders competition provided an opportunity to see so many disciplines at such a high level.

“It is really amazing to be able to sit down and watch one great horse and rider after another perform. As a junior it really helps to see the Young Riders and their rides and to know what we are aiming for.”