Dressage-News

OTTAWA, Ontario, Feb. 10–Ashley Holzer has been named 2009 Equestrian of the Year by Equine Canada.

As one of Canada’s most successful international dressage riders, Ashley won many Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle classes in 2009 with her talented 2008 Olympic mount Pop Art, a Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rusty Holzer and Moreen Nicoll.

In addition to her multiple Grand Prix victories, 2009 also saw the pair earn top five finishes at both the CDI 5* Exquis World Dressage Masters in Wellington, Florida and at Hickstead, England as well as at the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.

Ashley, who lives in nEw York She was also named as the Red Scarf Equestrian Dressage Canada Athlete of the Month for February and May for her international dressage achievements.

“I am thrilled, extremely honored and humbled to be named Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year — putting me in the company of so many incredible equestrians,” Ashley said. “I am very grateful to the Dressage Canada Board who have generously supported and nominated me. My thanks go out to all of Poppy’s fans, who cheer so loudly for him. I swear he loves it, and he tries even harder when he hears them. Lastly, my thanks go out to my great friends and amazing family who have always been there for me no matter what the result.”

Equine Canada created the Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year Award in 1995 in honour of Doctor George Jacobson, a strong supporter of equestrian sport in Canada and internationally, with a particular interest in the young equestrians. This award is given annually to the equestrian who has demonstrated superior sportsmanship, dedication and the pursuit of excellence in equestrian competition.

The award was made at the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala in Montreal, last Saturday. Ashley, however, was competing in the Exquis World Dressage Masters in Wellington.