We must congratulate Bombers ambassador rider Bert Sheffield on her recent successes. Top ride Fairuza and Bert were selected to represent Canada at the recent World Championship in Herning. They did a great job, finishing 5th in the individual championship, and 6th in the Individual Freestyle final.
Many congratulations to Bert and all connections! (Left picture by Kevin Sparrow. Top picture by Beth Barkway.)
Bert says her “heart horse” Fairuza has developed so much since the Paralympics in Tokyo. “Her whole demeanour is so much more grown up. I feel like she trusts me, she is really with me, that was the big difference for me, she was a different horse here,” she told reporters at the Champs.
Earlier this summer, the 13-year-old mare known as ‘Wonky’ came down with a sudden illness; although she subsequently made a good recovery. “We were clipping her – it was the day before we were due to go to Germany for training,” Bert told the UK’s Horse & Hound magazine. “After we clipped her, I went to take her out of the stable and she was really not very well; something was very wrong. We phoned the vets and next thing we knew we were dashing to Rossdales, where she spent a week,” said Bert.
‘Wonky’ had several courses of antibiotics and once the team was sure she was well again, Bert gradually started to bring her back into work.
The pair flew out to Herning, and was the highest performing Canadian combination at the World Championships, leaving Bert and the ‘Equestrian Canada’ family delighted with the horse’s recovery, and their contribution to the Canadian team’s momentum; Bert and Wonky also placed ninth in the team championship test.
Para Dressage Chef d’Equipe Clive Milkins said of Bert’s performance and placings: “I have to say, I’m thrilled with Roberta, she’s gone from strength to strength, she’s taken on board all the coaching. I can’t ask for any more than that!” Reflecting back on the end of the championship, Milkins added: “What I am thrilled with in this competition is that we have built from the success of Tokyo; the team has gelled, and I was astounded at how well everyone worked well together.” Read more at Equestrian Canada’s Facebook page.
#bombersbits #bombersbluebits #teambombers #bombersbitsbringbalance