2002 World Equestrian Games Start in Jerez

Source :  Equine Canada

Festivities at the Opening Ceremonies

With glitz and glamour, the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 World Equestrian Games were held today, Sept. 10th, in Chapin I, the main stadium of the Games, in Jerez, Spain. The Canadian Equestrian Team is eager to challenge the international competition for World Champion titles.

All the horses on the Canadian Dressage Team passed the first inspection and are ready for the first day of competition tomorrow, starting with the Grand Prix test at 10 a.m. Ashley Holzer is the first rider to start out of a exceptional group of 65 competitors. Other members of Canada's Dressage Team include Nancy MacLachlan, Belinda Trussell, and Shannon Dueck.


Also beginning tomorrow is the vaulting competition and Canada's five vaulters: Stephanie Guidobono, Romany Pinto, Alisa Schmidt, Colin Schmidt, and Jennifer Sedler are ready to impress in the individual competition. Tomorrow evening, the first eventing veterinary inspection occurs and all of Canada's eventing horses are primed and ready for the test of the three-day competition.


The Canadian Equestrian Team is a group of top Canadian riders chosen to represent Canada at international competitions including the Olympic, Pan-American and World Equestrian Games. Depending on the competition, the Team may be comprised of one or more of the seven FEI recognized disciplines; show jumping, dressage, three day eventing, reining, endurance, driving, and vaulting.