Karen Pavacic And Don Daiquiri take top honours

By: Dax Adam

Canada’s Karen Pavicic was victorious with her partner Don Daiquiri, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Don Cardinale co-owned with Jayne Essig, in the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup at the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show held in Toronto.

Also members of the Canadian Team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, the he pair traveled all the way from Surrey, B.C., and are first time competitors at The Royal Horse Show. 

“Don Daiquiri was a little spicier today than I thought he was going to be, but overall I was really happy with him” said Pavicic with the winning score of 70.067%. “We had a little spook in the corner, which caught me off guard, some moments of tension in the walk, but otherwise I was happy with my test and happy with my horse.”

In regards to her first Royal win, Pavicic added, “It hasn’t sunk in that I just won The Grand Prix, but I can’t wait to ride my freestyle because that’s what it’s all about . I am looking forward to the electric atmosphere in the ring. I have always wanted to ride here, so it is a dream come true to compete at the Royal.”

The dressage champ has been riding as long as she can remember and accredits having joined the pony club, as a child, for her solid foundation that she was able to build on. Karen was fortunate to be influenced by a local dressage trainer who helped many of the top professionals in her area. From age 12 she knew she wanted to go far in the sport and set her sights on competing internationally for Canada.

Karen’s future goals include this year’s Dressage World Cup in Las Vegas, as well as the 2015 Pan Am Games and the 2016 Olympics in Rio. We wish her the best in her future success.

 
$20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup Presented by Butternut Ridge

Rider / Hometown / Horse / Percentage

  1. Karen Pavicic / Surrey, BC / Don Daiquiri / 70.067%
  2. Jacqueline Brooks / Cedar Valley, ON / D’Niro / 67.667%
  3. Jill Irving / Moncton, NB / Pop Art / 67.367%
  4. Brittany Fraser / New Glasgow, NS / Countess / 65.733%

Photo: Cealy Tetley