Ottawa, ON, Nov. 18, 2020 – Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, maintained her reputation as the multi-horse master during the MARS Tryon International Three-Day Event, held Nov. 12-14, 2020, in Mill Spring, NC.

Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, pictured with Bogue Sound, placed in the top 10 with two horses at the MARS Tryon International Three-Day Event CCI 4*-S, held Nov. 12-14, 2020, in Mill Spring, NC.
Photo Credit: Tanner Messer for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Phoenix, who has been known to ride several horses during a single FEI competition, earned two top-10 finishes in a competitive CCI 4*-S division. She first made her mark on the leaderboard piloting Amara Hoppner’s Bogue Sound, the 13-year-old gelding sired by Crafty Shaw with whom Phoenix is listed on the 2020 Eventing National Team Program (NTP) National Squad, to fifth place. They started off strong on a score of 30.60 penalties in the dressage phase on Nov. 12. The addition of 16.00 cross-country penalties on Nov. 13 and 8.00 penalties in Nov. 14’s show jumping phase brought their total to 54.60 penalty points.

Finishing right behind Bogue Sound was Phoenix’s 2020 NTP Development Squad partner, Watson GS (Humble GS x Voltaire), whom she co-owns with her friend and supporter, Charlotte Schickedanz of Schickedanz Galten Farms. Phoenix and the nine-year-old Trakehner gelding started off in 18th place after posting 37.50 penalty points in the dressage phase. They eventually climbed their way to sixth after a clear show jumping round and 20.40 cross-country time penalties, ending on a final score of 57.90 penalty points.

“I’m extremely proud of our results at Tryon,” said Phoenix. “It’s been such an odd year because of the pandemic, so to finish two horses in the top 10 among a field of top-caliber horses and riders confirmed that the training and competing we’ve done at home in Canada is working. None of this is possible with out our incredible support team of owners, grooms, coaches, farriers and vets. They all play a crucial role and we are so thankful for each and everyone of them.”

The success continued in the CCI 3*-L division with Jamie Kellock of Cedar Valley, ON, who is a key pillar of support on Team Phoenix and sister to Canadian Dressage Team athlete, Lindsay Kellock. Kellock and Summer Bay, her 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, posted a score of 33.00 penalty points to finish in ninth place.

Phoenix commented, “To see my students, Jamie and Hannah Bundy [who finished 21st in the CCI 3*-L with Lovely Assistant], excel in their divisions with stand-out results was so rewarding! Go Canada!”

Tik Maynard, who resides in Citra, FL, also represented the red and white at the MARS Tryon International Three-Day Event. He placed seventh in the CCI 2*-L division on a final score of 32.10 penalties for his first international level appearance aboard Galileo, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Richard Maynard.

Equestrian Canada (EC) wishes to thank Sport Canada for its support of athletes through the Core Support and Athlete Assistance Program, as well as the Canadian eventing community for its ongoing support.

For full results from the MARS Tryon International Three-Day Event, click here. For more information about EC eventing programs and services, click here.

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