Canada’s equestrian team nominated for Rio 2016
Team Canada’s equestrian team will feature 10 riders at Rio 2016.
Highlighted by the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games gold medal winning jumping team, the (newly branded) Equestrian Canada squad will take part in dressage, eventing and jumping at this year’s Olympic Games.
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Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 compete at Spruce Meadows in Calgary on June 9, 2016. (Jeff McIntosh)
The Pan Am Games victory secured Canada’s jumping squad a team berth in Rio. The four-person team will feature Yann Candele, Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze and Amy Millar. Both Foster and Lamaze have previous Olympic experience, competing in jumping at London 2012, where Candele was the traveling alternate. Lamaze also represented Canada at Beijing 2008 where he won gold in individual jumping and silver in the team event.
Millar, meanwhile, is the daughter of “Captain Canada” Ian Millar. A silver medallist in team jumping at Beijing 2008, the senior Millar set a record by becoming the first athlete in any sport to compete in 10 Olympics at London 2012. His record will remain at 10 after not being named to this year’s Team Canada – his horse, Dixson, has been sidelined after having sinus surgery.
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Jessica Phoenix competing at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
Canada’s eventing team will include Rebecca Howard, Colleen Loach, Selena O’Hanlon and Jessica Phoenix. The team earned an Olympic spot by placing sixth at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Howard, O’Hanlon and Phoenix have all competed in previous Olympic Games.
Two individuals – Megan Lane and Belinda Trussell – will compete in dressage. Both competed in the Pan Am Games last year.
Eventing will take place August 6-9 at Rio’s Olympic Equestrian Centre. Dressage will be held August 10, 11, 12 and 15 while jumping will take place August 14, 16, 17 and 19.
