|
2008 Olympic Games
Dressage Canada Changes 2008 Olympic Qualification
Criteria
January 28, 2008
 Dressage
Canada has announced that it has changed the 2008 Olympic
Selection Criteria for its dressage
riders. Following complaints from the riders about
the criteria strenous on the horse, Dressage Canada
has responded to their pleas and changed the rules.
Dressage Canada
issued a statement mentioning, "since the publication
of its final Selection Criteria in
November 2007, Dressage Canada (DC) has received
a number of submissions that have challenged various
aspects
of the Criteria. DC has heard from athletes, horse
owners, and from the newly-formed Athletes Council,
a subcommittee
of DC comprised of all short and long listed riders.
As a result of a very thorough review and consideration
of all submissions received, DC has republished what
must be final Selection Criteria, with certain amendments."
The most important rule change comprises the deletion
of the mandatory requirement for team athletes to compete
in Europe after selection and prior to the Olympic
Games. Dressage Canada explained the rule change as
follows: "DC has deleted the requirement that the final
selected team (the three Named Combinations and the
Reserve Combination) compete in Europe prior to entering
quarantine. DC wants to make it clear that this aspect
of the original criteria was never a second stage of
the “selection trial”, as it has been characterized
by some. The sole criteria for selection to the team
are the qualifying scores to be earned during the Qualifying
Period. Rather, this was an opportunity to bring the
named team together well in advance of the Olympic
Games under the guidance of the Team Coach with a view
to building “team spirit” and strategically
preparing as a team for the high intensity of Olympic
competition."
The detailed criteria are available upon request at
Dressage Canada
Photo copyrighted: Mary Phelps/Phelpsphotos.com
Related Links
Canadians Ishoy
and Holzer also By-Pass 2008 Olympic Games
Swiss Dressage Team Withdraws
from Competing at the 2008 Olympics
|
