Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, has taken a commanding lead in the Canadian Dressage Team Pan Am Selection Trials following the first day of competition in the west.

Reid, who is celebrating her 43rd birthday today, scored an impressive 66.90% from the panel of judges for her ride on Gokker Z, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Winona Hartvikson.

Her nearest competition was herself as Reid also finished second with a score of 64.11% riding Hallmark, a 7-year-old Brandenburg gelding owned by Dr. Judy Clappison and the rider. Of the 26 riders who met the qualifying criteria, Reid was the only one to qualify two horses for the Pan Am Selection Trials.

Held in junction with the Amherst Dressage Show at Southlands Riding Club, today riders performed the Prix St. Georges test, the same that will determine the team medals in Winnipeg.

Shannon Oldham-Dueck, 36, of Langley, BC, participated in the east division of the Selection Trials held last week-end in Palgrave, ON, and still holds the overall lead in the Trials with a average score of 68.16% with Korona.

The same panel of judges will preside over both sets of Selection Trials. All riders will perform the Prix St. Georges (worth 60% of the score), Intermediare I (worth 20%) and the Intermediare Freestyle to music (worth 20%). The four riders with the highest scores, regardless of whether they competed in the eastern or western Selection Trials, will be named to the Pan Am Team. The rider with the fifth highest score will be named the reserve.

Dressage events at the Pan Am Games take place from July 26-29 at Bird's Hill Park in Winnipeg, MB.

Prix St. Georges - Canadian Dressage Team Selection Trial Standings - West

Rider Hometown Horse Score

1. Leslie Reid Langley, BC Gokker Z 66.90%

2. Leslie Reid Langley, BC Hallmark 64.11%

3. Sheri Bresee Blackfalds, AB Talisman 63.95%

4. Norma Jean Clayton Sherwood Park, AB Muskat 62.87%

5. Rebecca Garrard Vancouver, BC Hidalgo 61.09%

6. Jodie Kennedy Prince George, BC Alberta Springs 58.91%

Media Release Contact: Jennifer Ward For Immediate Release Media Relations Coordinator June 5, 1999 Tel: (613) 248-3433 ext. 133 e-mail: jward@equestrian.ca