Equestrian Canada – Ottawa, ON, Sept. 4, 2018 – Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce that David Ziegler of Beiseker, AB has been named the August 2018 Dressage Volunteer of the Month after he dedicated countless hours to the 2018 North American Youth Championships (NAYC), formerly known as the North American Junior and Young Riders Championships, held July 31-Aug. 5 in North Salem, NY. There, he acted as Dressage Chef d’Équipe alongside Leslie Steele of Pitt Meadows, BC.

Ziegler grew up on a family farm outside of Calgary, AB, where he developed his skills in both eventing and dressage. His natural talent led to success in both disciplines: in 2014, he became the only athlete in NAYC history to medal in two disciplines in the same year, earning individual gold in eventing and individual silver in dressage. Since then, Ziegler has continued to grow his list of accomplishments in CDI level competition, as well as in his new role as a coach.

Having learned so much as a competitor, Ziegler returned to NAYC in 2015 and 2016 to serve as an Assistant Chef d’Équipe for the Canadian Dressage Team. At NAYC 2018, he brought his positivity and boundless enthusiasm to Young Rider Team Ontario and Junior Team Ontario/Manitoba as Dressage Chef d’Équipe.

“As a Junior at my first NAYC, it was encouraging to have David as our Chef,” said Brooke Mancusi of Winnipeg, MB, a member of Team Ontario. “It was great to have a Chef who understood exactly what we were experiencing, from the thrills of success on the podium, to the disappointment of a bad ride. David was always available to answer questions and to reassure, both leading up to and at NAYC.”

Mancusi continued, “David is definitely worthy of the honour of being Volunteer of the Month. For all of the Juniors and Young Riders at NAYC, he set a great example as a young professional who is already giving back to the equestrian community and helping the next group of emerging athletes reach their dreams.”

Role models like Ziegler are essential to keep the sport of dressage alive and growing, and EC is thankful for his dedicated support of up-and-coming Canadian athletes.

If you know of a volunteer who deserves recognition, nominations are quick and easy through the EC website. Nominations for the award are accepted until the 20th day of each month, making August 20th the next deadline to submit the name of a volunteer who has made a difference to the sport of dressage. Questions and comments on the Dressage Volunteer of the Month Award can be directed to Christine Peters at cpeters@equestrian.ca.

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PHOTO – David Ziegler of Beiseker, AB has been selected as the Dressage Volunteer of the Month for August 2018 after supporting Dressage Junior and Young Riders as a Chef d’Équipe at the 2018 North American Youth Championships, held July 31-Aug. 5 in North Salem, NY.
L to R: David Ziegler, Brooke Mancusi, Ashleigh Lica-Tyson

PHOTO CREDIT – © EC

 

EC Media Contact / Personne-ressource de CE pour les médias : Jessie Christie
jchristie@equestrian.ca