Newfoundland’s Rainbow Riders top in points for annual para competition series
In another pandemic year where challenges were evident, Para equestrians persevered across Canada to compete virtually with the 2021 Para-Dressage Video Competition Series. The year long video competition that concluded in November, allowed athletes to experience competition conditions in the comfort of their home stable and on a familiar horse.
Rainbow Riders out of St. John’s earned the most points during the series to top the leader board and earn their position as High Points Riding Center Champs for 2021. The riding centre has been providing therapeutic riding to individuals in Newfoundland for almost 30 years and had eight athletes compete.
Para equestrians showed up and sent in their competition videos to earn their top positions from coast to coast. Individual rider winners in the five divisions across Canada include Rupan Sambasivam, Leila Corntassel, Margaret Corkum Abando, Calla Gross, and Kyla Sorensen.
“The accessibility of this competition brings together athletes, coaches and communities on an annual basis,” said Equestrian Canada’s Senior Manager, Dressage Olympic and Paralympic Disciplines, Christine Peters. “This series is a fantastic way to ensure that all riders nationwide have the chance to compete, and it’s wonderful to see all the amazing athletes and barns like Rainbow Riders getting so involved.”
To be eligible for High Point Champion, an athlete or centre must enter a minimum of four competitions in the year’s series. Athletes and centres earn points for placings in their division throughout the season, and points are tallied at the end of the year to determine the High Point Champions. Everyone at Equestrian Canada congratulates the 2021 High Point Champions and all the competitors on their resilience and dedication to excellence through another challenging season.
For more information, please visit www.equestrian.ca/sport/para-dressage/programs.
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| The High Point Therapeutic Riding Centre: Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Centre in St. John’s, NL. Seamus Reardon, Keely Vokey, Julia Crocker, Nathan Chaulk, Bryanna Boland, Adon Boland (riders), Erin O’Rielly and Sarah Evans (coaches) and Rain (horse). Missing from the picture but part of the 2021 team is: Diego Kenny and Theresa Rich (riders). Photo Credit: Charlotte Akerman |
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| Rupan Sambasivam and Erin McCormick Photo Credit: Gabby Gabona |
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| Leila Parisi, Stella French and Princess Leena Photo Credit: Cara Van Domselaar |
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| Margaret Corkum Abando and Gracie Photo Credit: Louise Corkum |
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| Calla Gross and Leslie Hierath & Calibre SR Photo Credit: Vicki Gross |
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| Kyla Sorensen, Cindy Isho, and Gandalf Photo Credit: Holly Badali |
EC Media Contact / Personne-ressource de CE pour les médias : communications@equestrian.ca
