Equestrian Canada – Ottawa, ON, May 22, 2019 – Tina Irwin of Stouffville, ON, piloted Fancy That (Donnerschweg x Frelherr) to an exciting win in the mare’s big tour debut during the 2019 Ottawa Dressage Festival, held May 16-19, 2019, in Ottawa, ON.
The 13-year-old Oldenburg, who is owned by Jaimey Irwin and Rocket One LLC, got her first taste of big tour competition in the CDI 3* Grand Prix on May 17, scoring 66.000% for a respectable fifth place. By the next day, Fancy That had gotten her bearings and entered the ring with confidence for the CDI 3* Grand Prix Freestyle. She and Tina impressed the judges to the tune of 70.800% to secure the win.
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Fancy That, ridden by Tina Irwin of Stouffville, ON, earned a win during her first weekend competing in the big tour at the Ottawa Dressage Festival, held May 16-19, 2019, in Ottawa, ON. “I was thrilled about Fancy’s performance in the Freestyle,” said Tina. “To perform in front of a large crowd and to the music at that level is still very new to her and was a huge accomplishment! To win was icing on the cake. It is exciting because I know we have so much more in there to give and this is just the beginning.” Tina has seen the bay’s abilities grow tremendously over the course of their seven-year partnership, with highlights including a personal best score of 74.375% in the CDI 1* Intermediate I Freestyle at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival and earning the bronze medal with Team Canada 2 at the 2015 Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO 3*, both in Wellington, FL. After several years of consistent international small tour competition, Tina knew Fancy That was ready to make the leap and challenge the most difficult tests the FEI has to offer. “Fancy had to first learn all of the Grand Prix movements, and then it was about confirming them while keeping the relaxation,” explained Tina. “I work a lot on the basic thoroughness with her to able to keep the adjustability in the movements. Fancy shows an exceptional ability for collection in the piaffe, passage and pirouettes; she has a lot of power! Fancy has a lot of talent for the Grand Prix movements, so once she was able to put them together we knew it was the right time to compete her. I plan to give her more exposure at the Grand Prix this season to get more miles and confidence in the ring.” Watch Tina and Fancy That’s winning freestyle below: |
Jill Irving of Moncton, NB, also had a notable weekend in the Ottawa Dressage Festival big tour riding Windhaven Farm’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Arthur (Jazz x Contango). The duo took top honours in the CDI 3* Grand Prix with a score of 72.435%, and in the CDI 3* Grand Prix Special on May 19 with 70.191%.
In the small tour, Tina added another win to her record, this time with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding that she co-owns with Jaimey, Laurencio (Laurentio x Donnerhall). Together, they placed first in the CDI 1* Prix St. Georges on May 17 with a score of 72.892%.
The remaining CDI 1* classes at the Ottawa Dressage Festival were won by Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, and Barbara Holden Sinclair’s 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Carlucci (Contendro I x Compliment). Their back-to-back victories began on May 18 with a 73.333% in the Intermediate I, followed by the next day’s Intermediate I Freestyle, which Belinda and Carlucci won with a high score of 75.542%.
For full results from the 2019 Ottawa Dressage Festival, click here.
Equestrian Canada wishes to thank Sport Canada for its support through the International Single Sport Events – Hosting Program.
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