Canada announce equestrian and rowing Rio 2016 teams

Canada will send four equestrian riders and five rowers to September’s Paralympic Games. 27 Jul 2016

An equestrian rider rides her horse in an empty arena.

Lauren Barwick rides Off to Paris to a first-place fininsh in the Grade II freestyle and individual tests.

ⒸFEI

By Canadian Paralympic Committee

Canada named four equestrian riders and five rowers for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Robyn Andrews, Lauren Barwick, Ashley Gowanlock and Roberta Sheffield will be representing Canada in equestrian in Rio, where dressage events (team, individual and freestyle) will be contested between 11-16 September.

Since equestrian was introduced to the Paralympic programme at Atlanta 1996, Canada has sealed five individual medals, including one gold and one silver won by Lauren Barwick in Beijing, in 2008.

“I am really excited about the athletes who will be representing Canada at Rio 2016,” said team coach Andrea Taylor.

“They have all worked extremely hard to earn a spot on the team. Everyone sees them at their competitions on the stepping stones toward a successful result in Rio, but they do not see them putting in all of the many hours, both on and off the horses, at home.

“Between competitions, they focus on bringing together what works best for them and their horse, mentally, physically and strategically, resulting in the most tried and true path to the podium. I wish them all the best in Rio.”

Canada will also take five rowers to compete in the legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four (LTAMix4+).

The crew will include three-time Paralympians Meghan Montgomery and Victoria Nolan, coxswain Kristen Kit, who will be competing at her second Paralympic Games, and Paralympic debutants Curtis Halladay and Andrew Todd.

They won gold at the 2016 World Rowing Cup III in Poznan, Poland, and bronze at last year’s World Championships.

“I am excited to be named to my third Paralympic team,” said Nolan.

“It is an honour to be named alongside this crew. We are a great mix of experience and youth that over the past few months has been able to come together as a team. Our strong finish at World Cup III is just a start for us and I look forward to competing in Rio.”

Equestrian team

Robyn Andrews

Lauren Barwick

Ashley Gowanlock

Roberta Sheffield

Rowing team

Meghan Montgomery

Victoria Nolan

Kristen Kit

Curtis Halladay

Andrew Todd

More information is available on the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s website.