Tokyo Olympics 2021: Canadian Equestrian Teams Confirmed

With the Tokyo Olympics 2021 nearing, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Equestrian confirmed their teams. Joining the three team line-up is former Olympians, fresh faces and some legendary figures. However, how will this team fare against the likes of the US, French and British powerhouses?

Canadian dressage team for the Tokyo Olympics 2021

The first member of the Canadian dressage team is Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu. Ranked #57 in the dressage world rankings, Brittany is the highest ranked Canadian in her field. The Quebecer will ride All In for the Tokyo Olympics, a magnificent 16-year-old gelding.

Up next is Lindsay Kellock, ranked #80 in the world. She’s a former Pan American gold medalist and will make her Olympics debut in 2021. From Toronto, Ontario, Kellock will ride a Sebastien. The 15-year-old gelding has brought Kellock some of the best results in her career since winning gold at the Pan American Games.

From Ridgetown, Ontario we have Chris Von Martels with Eclips, another Pan American Games medalist. His impressive performances in the 2015 Pan American Games shot him into the spotlight, but his recent form has been tremendous. A medal in Tokyo would push him higher up the FEI ranks as he currently sits on #101.

The traveling reserves Jill Irving and Naima Moreira Lalibert?, on Arthur and Statesman, respectively.

Canadian eventing line-up

Ranked at #96, Colleen Loach is the first member of the Canadian eventing team. From Dunham, Quebec, Loach brings a ton of experience to the team. Having competed in the Olympic before, the Pan American Games medalist will look to build on her resume with Qorry Blue d?Argouges, the horse who gave her the #10 position in the 2016 Olympics.

Up next is the most decorated eventer in Canadian equestrian history, Jessica Phoenix. With impressive performances in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, Pheonix will be the shining light for this team. With her is Pavarotti, the 19-year-old gelding that won her two medals in the Pan American Games.

The reserves for the eventing team are Hawley Bennett-Awad and Karl Slezak on Jollybo and Fernhill Wishes, respectively.

Lone athlete for show jumping at Tokyo Olympics 2021

The responsibility to bring a medal in the show jumping event back to Canada falls on the shoulders of Mario Deslauriers. After Nicole Walker’s doping punishment, the Canadian show jumping bowed of the Olympics entirely. They only retained their spot in the individual event.

With Bardolina 2, the Quebecer can write his name in history as the first Canadian show jumper to win a medal in the Olympics since 1968. Ranked #50 worldwide, he has a good chance of winning with Bardolina 2, the horse who accompanied him to over 143 competitions.

In a press release, top athletes like Chris Von Martel and Jessica Phoenix commented on their qualification. Martel claimed qualifying for the Olympics was a dream, and Phoenix noted how crucial these games are for her and her horse, Pavarotti.

Read more: ?Endless Gratitude?- Jessica Springsteen Reacts to Tokyo Olympics 2021 Qualification