Cindy Ishoy and Proton will be representing Canada at next April\’s FEI World Cup Dressage Final. They narrowly won the Canadian League Final yesterday (Nov. 10) at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ont. Ishoy and Proton scored 71.70 percent to edge Evi Strasser on Quantum Tyme (71.17%).
Ishoy, 43, holds the record as the highest-placed Canadian ever at the World Cup Final. She finished second in 1988 final on Dynasty, before leading the Canadian team to the Olympic bronze medal.
“That was close!” said Ishoy after her victory. “I was really pleased with his passage and piaffe—and his extended trot. Our freestyle is technically very difficult, and a year ago I wouldn’t have had faith that he could do it.”
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Just as she did in finishing second in the freestyle at Dressage At Devon (Pa.) on Oct. 1, Ishoy rode to music suggested by her daughter, Kahla, 21. It includes songs by rapper 50 Cent and music from the movies Pirates of the Caribbean and The Rock.
“It’s my life to be close but not be there,” said Strasser. “It’s a hard game. Cindy is a fantastic competitor, and it’s good for me to compete against her. I couldn’t be happier with my horse’s performance; he was super. But I still hate to lose.”
Some 6,500 fans watched.
