Portugal’s Carlos Lopes, an FEI 5* Para-Dressage Judge, is joining forces with Equestrian Canada’s Para-Dressage High Performance Technical Leader, Clive Milkins to host an educational and interactive training program for National Para-Dressage Team riders and coaches.

Set for June 19-20 at Dunraven Farm in Uxbridge, ON, this unique clinic opportunity is taking place immediately following the Cedar Valley CDI, running June 16-18 at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy (RCRA) in Cedar Valley, ON.

What: Two-day Para-Equestrian Clinic with FEI 5* Para-Dressage Judge, Carlos Lopes (POR) and Equestrian Canada Para-Dressage High Performance Technical Leader, Clive Milkins

When: June 19-20, 2017

Where: Dunraven Farm, 20251 Lakeridge Road, Uxbridge, ON, L9P 1R4

**All non-mounted educational sessions will be held at the Trinity United Church, 20 First Ave, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1M4.**

Cost: 

Para-Equestrian National Team Program Athletes – Fee Waived
Athletes – $50
Auditors – $75

The fee includes full access to the clinic, plus breakfast and lunch each day.

Registration: Complete and submit the Registration Form to [email protected] by June 9, 2017

Accommodation: A block of 20 rooms have been reserved under ‘Para-Equestrian’ from Sunday, June 18 through Wednesday, June 21 at the Newmarket Comfort Inn for those attending the clinic.

Please book directly with the hotel today (June 2) to reserve at the special rate of $99 per night.

Comfort Inn Newmarket
1230 Journey’s End Circle, Newmarket, ON CAN L3Y 8Z6
Phone: 905-895-3355
Room rate: $99 per night if booked June 2 (under the name ‘Para-Equestrian’) www.newmarketcomfortinn.com

The focus of the event will be on preparing Canada’s top athletes to perform the new FEI Para-Dressage tests to the best of their ability, with an emphasis on judge feedback from Lopes.

Riders and coaches can also take part in sessions and National Team Program updates in the following areas:

  • Understanding What Great Looks Like (hosted by Milkins)
  • National Team Program Integrated Support Team (IST) personnel
  • Athlete Media Training
  • Athlete Sponsorship
  • Human Anti-Doping (hosted by the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport)

In addition, on June 19, all participants and auditors are invited to the Para-Equestrian Red & White Social BBQ, to be held at Dunraven Farm at 6:30 p.m. BBQ ticket costs are waived for National Team athletes, and available for $20 to all non-Team athletes, personal coaches, support personnel and auditors.

The Clinic is an incredible opportunity for riders to learn from one of the top para judges in the world. Lopes, who has been a rider himself since the age of 10, is a former member of the Portuguese Riding School and has been the Portugal National Team Manager and Dressage Coach since 2005. He has taken part in four European Championships, three World Championships, two Olympic Games and a World Cup. Lopes is also a member of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation Technical Committee, as well as a certified riding instructor, FEI 4* Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate, and FEI 5* Para-Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate.

Milkins, who was appointed as the EC Para-Dressage High Performance Technical Leader in March 2017, is a graduate of the United Kingdom (UK) Sport Elite Coaching Program, a Fellow of Riding for the Disabled, and a Level 3 UK Certified Coach. He also has a long list of qualifications in equine business management, horse management, and teaching, and has been involved in para-dressage for over 25 years, training horses and coaching athletes to the highest levels of success on the world stage.

The clinic fee will be covered for athletes and their personal coaches within the 2017 Para-Equestrian National Team Program (National Squad, Development Squad, and Talent ID Squad). Athletes will be responsible for covering their own transportation, accommodations, stabling, and arranging borrowed horses (if required).

The clinic is also open to all athletes and auditors. Athletes not on the Para-Equestrian National Team Program are welcome to attend with their personal coaches at fee of $50. Auditors are welcome to attend at fee of $75. In the case of a full clinic, priority will be given to 2017 Para-Equestrian National Team Program athletes.

Athletes attending the Cedar Valley CDI, running June 16-18 at the RCRA are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this incredible learning opportunity and add this clinic to their weekend plans.

If you are interested in stabling arrangements or borrowing a horse you can contact Amanda Kalvoda

For more information about this clinic, please contact Jamie-Ann Goodfellow, Para-Equestrian Coordinator, Equestrian Canada