Three accomplished Langley equestriennes are heading into the international spotlight once again.
Hawley Bennett of Aldergrove and Lisa Marie Fergusson of Langley will represent Canada in Eventing at the FEI World Equestrian Games.
Winona Hartvikson of Langley will compete in the Para-Dressage category.
The announcement was made by Equine Canada on Saturday.
“I am incredibly proud of our CET athletes, who have worked extremely hard to earn their berth to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and represent Canada on the world stage,” said Director of Sport and CET Chef de Mission for WEG 2018, Jon Garner.
“It is a privilege to work with such a strong, hard-working and dedicated team, and I look forward to celebrating their success in Tryon.”
This is not the first time the trio have shown their Canadian colours abroad.
Bennett has represented Canada, and won medals, many times in the past at the Pan American Games in 2003 and 2011, at the Olympics in Athens in 2004 and in London in 2012, at the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and Pau France in 2014, and at the World Cup in Sweden in 2005.
READ MORE: Langley Olympian Hawley Bennett-Awad recovers from fall
Fergusson has competed in several FEI events, and recently took bronze at the Galway Downs event in California in 2017.
Hartvikson, who made her FEI debut with her horse Ultimo last year, took top scores at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Florida, winning third is the Grade 1 Team Test, second in individuals and second in freestyle.
HAWLEY BENNETT FUNDRAISER
Bennett, who is currently living and training in California, flew to Lexington, Kentucky on Aug. 28, and then drove eight hours to The Plains, Virginia to take part in a World Equestrian Games training camp that begins Sept. 3.
But in order for her, and her horse, Jollybo, to make it all the way to the final event, she is having to pay $10,000 out of pocket.
To help her with expenses, her mother, Gerry Bennett, is holding a fundraiser in Langley on Thursday, Sept. 6.
The public is invited to join Bennett’s supporters at M&M Farm, 24680 80 Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening will include wine, cheese and appies, a silent auction, a raffle draw and door prizes. Custom Jollybo socks will also be available for purchase for $25 each.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $25 and can be purchased through Gerry by calling 604-381-2207.
Canada has won nine medals since the inception of the World Equestrian Games in 1990.
Most recently, Paralympian and Canadian Disability Hall of Fame Inductee, Lauren Barwick (a Langley native currently living in Florida) brought home silver and bronze medals in para-dressage from the 2014 edition of the Games in Normandy, FRA.
READ MORE: Aldergrove’s Barwick ‘doing it for Canada’
Taking place Sept. 11 to 23 in Mill Spring, North Carolina, the games are held every four years between Olympic cycles and feature some the top riders in the world.
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