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Canadian Eventing Team Heads to the 2004 Olympic Games

August 6, 2004

Ottawa, Ontario --- The Canadian Eventing Selection Committee announced that a change would be made to the team of horses and riders for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Following medical setbacks for both Stuart Black and his mount Blackout, the difficult decision was made to excuse that combination from the team. Though both horse and rider are expected to make full recoveries, the concern was that there was insufficient time for this to take place between now and the Games.

It was very fortunate the selectors could call upon the alternates, Garry Roque and his horse Waikura to step in to the spot. Roque and his horse were very involved in the pre-departure team training camp at Oak Crest Farm. Though it was uncertain until August 4 that they would be called into action, they had maintained their readiness under the watchful eyes of coaches Jim Wofford and Jane Savoie and in sessions with sports consultant Dave Cooper.

Roque and Waikura joins the team of Hawley Bennett and Livingstone, Bruce Mandeville and Larissa, Ian Roberts and Mata-Riki and Mike Winter and Balista.

Such a last minute substitution may take place only under exceptional circumstances as outlined in the International Olympic Committee’s Late Athlete Replacement Policy. For such competitions, all necessary paperwork is kept on hand in the event that such a change must take place.

The five horses began their journey to Athens August 5. They will then have several days to acclimate prior to beginning final preparations for the competition.

The Canadian Eventing Committee is grateful to Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and all of its patrons, benefactors, and sponsors for their continued support of the Canadian Eventing Team in its quest for a Team top–six placing at the 2004 Olympic Games.

The Olympic sport of Eventing encompasses three separate tests: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping held consecutively. Each test ridden by the rider and horse in combination is scored individually but added together for the final results. The rider/horse combination with the fewest number of penalty points over the three days wins the competition. At the 2004 Olympic Games, the team and individual competition will run concurrently. The team competition consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of five competitors with the best three scores to count for the team classification. Following the first / Team medal show jumping round, the top twenty-five competitors compete in a second round of show jumping to determine the Individual medals.

Canadian Eventing is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for the sport of eventing in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. Canadian Eventing Committee is comprised of 12 members, including two rider representatives elected by the Elite Riders Association. Directed by the strategic plan for eventing, all Eventing activities are administered by this committee via six sub-committees with the support of Eventing Manager based at the Equine Canada office in Ottawa. The National Team athletes and program led by International Technical Advisor James C. Wofford, are monitored by the High Performance Committee. For more information about Canadian Eventing, visit www.canadianeventing.com.

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