Dressage-News reported that Canadian Olympic dressage rider Ashley Holzer has taken the oath of allegiance for naturalized citizens and has been sworn in as a United States' citizen two weeks ago.
The 52-year old Holzer (née Nicoll) is one of the most decorated Canadian Grand Prix riders and was named 2009 Canadian Dressage Rider of the Year. She represented Canada at the Olympics four times. In 1988 she won team bronze in Seoul. She also competed at the Olympics in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Holzer is born in Toronto, Canada, and married to American Rusty Holzer. She lives in New York City, U.S.A, is mom to two children and runs Riverdale Equestrian Centre in New York City. Holzer is a highly respected coach and has a huge string of high profile riders training with her, including Jill Irving, P.J. Rizvi, Eliane Cordia-van Reesema, Jacquie Brooks, Chris von Martels and Brittany Fraser.
Although Holzer is now sworn-in as a U.S. citizen, but has dual citizenship. She has not yet revealed her plans if she will declare for the U.S.A. as a dressage rider. The FEI has a one-year sit and wait period before a rider can compete for his new nationality.
In 2014 Holzer disclosed that she would get American citizenship, but at the time told Eurodressage she would stick to riding to Canada. She said, ""I am applying for my (American) passport but that is all at the moment. I am entitled to dual citizenship. I am not changing anything at the moment."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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Eurodressage Photo Database: Ashley Holzer
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