Two Horses Achieve National Ranking in Canada’s Inaugural Dressage Young Horse Development Program

6 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Two Horses Achieve National Ranking in Canada’s Inaugural Dressage Young Horse Development Program

As You Wish, ranked in the six-year-old division with Shannon Dueck, a Canadian based in Loxahatchee, Florida.
Photo: Carmen Elisa Franco

OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 20, 2018–As You Wish, owned and ridden by Florida-based Shannon Dueck and Frieda, ridden by Pia Fortmuller have achieved national ranking recognition in the inaugural year of Canada’s Dressage Young Horse Development Program.

Equine Canada announced the awards Thursday for the horses that earned a minimum of four scores of at least 68 per cent at EC Gold, Foreign National or CDI competitions.

As You Wish (Wilkens x Contendro I), a six-year-old Hanoverian gelding known as “Westley” and ridden by owner, Shannon Dueck of Loxahatchee, Florida achieved an average score of 77.45 per cent.

“I am thrilled to be part of the young horse program,” Shannon said. “I think it’s a very important step in supporting the development of future international stars for Canada. Through this program, I was able to get some great feedback to help me in training Westley and he improved throughout the year. I look forward to working with EC next year as we progress to the seven-year-old work.”

In the seven-year-old division, Frieda (Fuerstenball OLD X Rouletto) achieved a ranking score of 81.892 per cent trained and ridden by {ia Fortmuller of Foothills, Alberta and 2012 Olympic reserve rider for Canada.

Pia, who co-owns the black mare with Lars Busch, said: “Lars discovered Frieda as a two-year-old and saw very special potential when he first laid eyes on her. As a young horse, Frieda has always captivated her audience, but this last year the potential that Lars caught a glimpse of is starting to take shape.”