Penny Rowland and Canadian Eventing Team off to Strong Start

Penny Rowland & Aberdare

Penny Rowland of Orangeville, ON, and the Canadian Eventing Team are off to a strong start following the opening day of three day eventing competition at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain.

Following the opening day of dressage, the first of three phases of competition that comprise the equestrian sport of three day eventing, Rowland, riding in her first major championships, earned a score of 52.40 penalty points for her performance riding her 13-year-old gray Canadian thoroughbred mare, Aberdare.

James Atkinson of Mountain Road, MB, only the second rider into the ring to compete on Thursday, earned a penalty score of 69.20 riding Revisionist, his 15-year-old Canadian thoroughbred gelding.

Bob Holman & A Criminal Mind

Individually, Rowland is standing in 18th position while Atkinson holds down 36th place. Due to the high number of three day eventing competitors, 65 horse-rider combinations, dressage is held over two days. Rowland, 47, and Atkinson, 25, performed their tests on Thursday while the remaining two Canadian Eventing Team members, Wyndham St. John, originally from Vancouver, BC, and Bruce Mandeville of Orangeville, ON, both Sydney Olympians, will compete in the dressage phase on Friday.

In addition to a four-member team, countries may also field up to two individual entries. Robert Holman, 38, of Hawkestone, ON, representing Canada as an individual, completed his dressage phase with a total of 64.60 penalty points riding A Criminal Mind, a 16 year old bay Canadian Sport Horse gelding bred and owned by Holman’s wife, Sarah Irving. Holman, making his major games debut, is currently in 35th position individually.

Leading the field following day one of dressage is two-time Olympic team gold medallist Phillip Dutton of Australia. Riding House Doctor, Dutton earned a score of 33.60 to edge out Olympic champion David O’Connor of the United States who rode Giltedge to a score of 34.20 penalty points. Tied with O’Connor for second position on an identical score of 34.20 is John Williams and the Canadian Sport Horse gelding, Carrick. New Zealand’s Kate Lambie is fourth riding Nufarm Alibi while Australia’s Stuart Tinney and Ava round out the top five.

The second and final day of dressage competition takes place Friday followed by the cross-country test on Saturday. The third and concluding phase of stadium jumping is scheduled for Sunday, followed by both team and individual medal presentations.