Canadian team routinier Belinda Trussell and Anton put their best foot forward at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, Normandy, becoming the best Canadian pair at the show. Trussell was member of the Canadian 2010 WEG Team but an injury sidelined the pair for more than two years. Trussell has come back full force and showed some of the best piaffe work of all combinations in Caen.
The Canadian team rode to a ninth place finish on a total combined score of 211.714%. Anchor rider Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, emerged from the d'Ornano Stadium as the top-placed Canadian individually in the Grand Prix after scoring 71.614% with Anton (Antaeus x Melit), Robyn Eames' 14-year-old Saxonian-bred gelding. She finished in 26th place individually, securing her spot among the top 30 invited to move on to the Grand Prix Special on August 27.
Normandy marked Trussell's third FEI World Equestrian Games, and her second with Anton, who she also competed with at the 2010 Games in Kentucky, USA. "I am really, really pleased with that (Grand Prix) performance. It's my best score at a major games so far, and that's what I was aiming for," said Trussell, who is a veteran of major games, having also represented Canada at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Despite an exciting entrance into the d'Ornano Stadium, Anton relaxed into his test and received solid scores for individual movements, especially the piaffe, which earned marks up to 7.8.
"My horse is unfortunately afraid of applause, so that set him off a little bit in the beginning around the outside. But this crowd is so great and so respectful - they saw him get explosive and they quieted down right away, and he settled into his work. I couldn't be more pleased with him. He's a fantastic horse," said Trussell, going on to explain that she was happy just to be here, considering that since the last Games, Anton suffered an injury and was given a slim chance of returning to this level of competition.
"He had a big injury and was out for two and a half years. But, he's back, and I'm so grateful. It's a gift to be here," explained Trussel. "He was extremely depressed when he was off, but he has a huge heart and a huge will, and that's why he's here."
Trussell enjoyed birthday bliss on August 27 after achieving a score of over 72% in the Grand Prix Special. Sole Canadian qualifying for the Special, Trussell was the sixth rider into the d'Ornano Stadium. Her lively performance earned solid marks for many individual movements, including a totally underscored 7.9 for a piaffe, and an 8 for a passage. She was awarded a final score of 72.409% for her overall performance.
Trussell finished the 2014 Games in 22nd overall - placing her just outside of the top 15 riders from the Special invited to move forward into the Grand Prix Freestyle on August 29.
When asked what her favourite part of her performance was, Trussell responded, "when I entered, actually. When you enter, everyone is just screaming, and I thought to myself, 'When do you get this? This is amazing!' The crowd is so wonderful, and supportive, and excited - and it helps you rise to the occasion."
"For the Grand Prix he was quite hot in the warm-up, and hot around the outside of the ring. For the Special he was much more relaxed and he felt really, really good. He warmed up really well. I had pretty much a picture perfect warm-up where everything just goes tickety-boo," said Trussell. "I find Anton gets into a rhythm and it suits him really well, so it was my wish to go on the second day (of the Team Grand Prix), so that really did benefit him."
A veteran of the Canadian Dressage Team, Trussell has represented Canada at numerous major games. After competing in Normandy, her resume now includes a total of three FEI World Equestrian Games, as well as the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, she cites Normandy as her best experience so far.
"The atmosphere here is fantastic; I think one of the best. Some of the countries that I've been to aren't so much dressage enthusiasts, so they don't recognize the sport, or aren't as knowledgeable - whereas the French people seem to really know the sport," she said. "They are just great. They support everybody (not just the French riders), and it's a really nice feeling."
Text Equine Canada, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2014 World Equestrian Games
Belinda Trussell and Anton Ace Grand Prix Special at the 2014 CDI-W Wellington
Belinda Trussell Wins 2003 Canadian League World Cup Finals
Canadian Team Selected for 2014 World Equestrian Games