As many of you may have noticed, since the passing of my Orion I never have gotten back into the swing of regularly posting updates. And I have to admit that its been really tough for me to write on this blog simply because since I started this blog, its always been mainly about Orion and I... but I have some very exciting news and it really couldn't be a better inspiration for me to start writing more regular posts again. As my first (of many new posts) of 2016.. I am more than happy to announce that Canada now has a under 25 Grand Prix Championships!
In the fall of 2009 Orion was sent to Europe to be sold, during the same time that Pia, a 2006 NAJYRC Gold Medallist, also moved to Europe to continue her training. It was during this time the two began a partnership, and Pia subsequently purchased Orion. At the age of 25, Pia rode in her first Grand Prix with Orion, and they went on to compete very successfully at the International Grand Prix level in Europe. Orion took Pia all the way to the Canadian Senior Team, and their career together culminated when they were named the reserve combination for the 2012 Olympic Dressage Team in London.
Sadly, Orion died in January, 2014. His passing was not only a loss to Canadian dressage, but a devastating personal loss to Pia and her family. The Orion Cup has been established to pay tribute to this very special gelding. It is poignant and inspiring that just as Orion was instrumental in the start of Pia’s Grand Prix career, the Orion Cup will provide other talented Canadian athletes with a start to their own. Pia says it best in her own words. “I never truly lost Orion for he will always live on in my heart, and it brings me an incredible amount of joy to know that Orion will also live on in the legacy of the ‘Orion Cup.’”
PURPOSE The purpose of the Orion Cup is to encourage and assist young Canadian athletes with the momentous step of making the transition from the Young Rider level to the Grand Prix level. This program provides not only an important developmental opportunity for athletes, but also a means to achieve the goal of putting Canadians on the podium at Major Games.
AWARD
The recipient of the Orion Cup will receive a commemorative jacket and cooler plus a $1,000 cash prize. In addition, the recipient will be recognized as the Orion Cup National Champion
2016 ORION CUP NATIONAL CHAMPION
The Orion Cup is named after a very special horse in Canadian dressage history. Orion was Pia Fortmuller’s KWPN Grand Prix partner. He was an Olympic Team horse for Canada, trained to the Advanced level by Pia's former coach, Leslie Reid, who represented Canada with Orion at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
In the fall of 2009 Orion was sent to Europe to be sold, during the same time that Pia, a 2006 NAJYRC Gold Medallist, also moved to Europe to continue her training. It was during this time the two began a partnership, and Pia subsequently purchased Orion. At the age of 25, Pia rode in her first Grand Prix with Orion, and they went on to compete very successfully at the International Grand Prix level in Europe. Orion took Pia all the way to the Canadian Senior Team, and their career together culminated when they were named the reserve combination for the 2012 Olympic Dressage Team in London.
Sadly, Orion died in January, 2014. His passing was not only a loss to Canadian dressage, but a devastating personal loss to Pia and her family. The Orion Cup has been established to pay tribute to this very special gelding. It is poignant and inspiring that just as Orion was instrumental in the start of Pia’s Grand Prix career, the Orion Cup will provide other talented Canadian athletes with a start to their own. Pia says it best in her own words. “I never truly lost Orion for he will always live on in my heart, and it brings me an incredible amount of joy to know that Orion will also live on in the legacy of the ‘Orion Cup.’”
PURPOSE The purpose of the Orion Cup is to encourage and assist young Canadian athletes with the momentous step of making the transition from the Young Rider level to the Grand Prix level. This program provides not only an important developmental opportunity for athletes, but also a means to achieve the goal of putting Canadians on the podium at Major Games.
AWARD
The recipient of the Orion Cup will receive a commemorative jacket and cooler plus a $1,000 cash prize. In addition, the recipient will be recognized as the Orion Cup National Champion
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