Equestrian Canada (EC) and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the Team Canada eventing athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Canadian Eventing Team for Paris 2024
Jessica Phoenix riding Freedom GS (Owner: Charlotte Schickedanz & Thomas Nowaskey. Groom: Lisa Barry)
Karl Slezak riding Hot Bobo (Owner: Katlyn Hewson Slezak & Karl Slezak. Groom: Amber Wavryk)
Michael Winter riding El Mundo (Owner: Jonathan Nelson, Emma Winter & Michael Winter. Groom: Amy Ferris)
Alternate Athlete (Travelling): Colleen Loach riding FE Golden Eye (Owners: Peter Barry, Amanda Bernhard, & Colleen Loach. Groom: Meredith Wright)
Two-time Pan American Games eventing medallist Karl Slezak has achieved many excellent performances over the qualification period with his Olympic partner and ‘super mare’ Hot Bobo, starting with Canada’s first win since 1992 at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Slezak took the top spot in Lexington 4*-S in April 2023.
The pair then went on to win team gold at Santiago 2023. They also came out on top in the CCI4*-S division at the MARS Bromont CCI, the final qualifying event of the season. Slezak will make his Olympic debut with Hot Bobo at Paris 2024.
“I am overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude with our selection for the Olympics. This lifelong dream would not have been possible without the unwavering support of so many incredible people who have stood behind me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hot Bobo and I hope to do you proud. Go Canada!”
Paris 2024 will mark Jessie Phoenix's third Olympic appearance after having competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Phoenix was named to the Tokyo 2020 team, but was unable to compete because of an injury to horse Pavarotti. Michael Winter will return to the Olympic stage for the first time since Beijing 2008. He also competed at Athens 2004.
Team Canada has previously earned one Olympic medal in each discipline, a team dressage bronze at Seoul 1988, as well as a team eventing bronze at Melbourne 1956 (when the equestrian competitions were held in Stockholm, Sweden).
Team Canada’s equestrian team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following :
Emily Gilbert (Toronto, ON) - Team Manager, Eventing
James Hood (Edmonton, Alta.) - Team Leader
Rebecca Howard (Marlborough, UK) - Chef D’Equipe, Eventing
Antonio Inghilleri (Palermo, ITA) - Equine Physiotherapist, Eventing
Emily Jantzi (Guelph, Ont.) - Veterinarian, Dressage & Eventing
Alan Manning (Orton, Ont.) - Veterinarian, Dressage & Eventing
Melanie McLearon (Orillia, Ont.) - Media Attaché
Andy Vergut (Chelmsford, ON) - Farrier, Eventing
