Successful European Debut for C-DAAP Grant Recipient Karen Pavicic


Canadian dressage athlete Karen Pavicic of Surrey, BC, is currently training and competing in Europe with Don Daiquiri thanks in part to a $20,000 High Performance European Training and Competition Grant from the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP). Photo by Sue Stickle

June 30, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Karen Pavicic of Surrey, BC, recently achieved a top three result in the Grand Prix at the CDI4* Achleiten, Austria on June 13, 2014. A score of 68% and third place qualified her to compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle, where she finished fourth with a score of 71.025%. Pavicic traveled to Europe in May with the assistance of a $20,000 grant from the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP).

A member of the silver medalist Canadian Dressage Team at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pavicic is currently training and competing in Europe in the hopes of becoming a member of the Canadian Dressage Team at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) taking place this August in Normandy, France. Pavicic is currently based in Dusseldorf, Germany, with her horse Don Daiquiri, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Don Cardinale that she co-owns with Jayne Essig.

"First of all, I have to thank C-DAAP, Deborah Kinzinger and everyone else involved for providing this funding to use for my European training and competition plans," said Pavicic, 43. "The money is going toward my training costs with Jean Bemelmans and Dr. Volker Moritz, as well as my competition costs."

Having already competed at two International Equestrian Federation (FEI)-sanctioned events in Compiegne, France, and now Achleiten, Pavicic and Don Daiquiri plan to enter a third European competition in Germany in early August.

"I strongly feel that European competition experience is necessary to prepare for any major games, and particularly for WEG 2014, as it is being held in France," said Pavicic. "The C-DAAP grant could not have come at a more perfect time for me. I had been planning to travel to Europe to prepare for WEG for well over a year. The funding has allowed me to take advantage of so many incredible experiences here in Europe. I'm definitely making the most of it!"

Pavicic is thankful for the funding she has received from the C-DAAP grant.

"The grant program is definitely a step in the right direction and I am extremely grateful for this support," she said. "I sincerely hope that it continues in the future. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful supporter in Deborah Kinzinger."

The four other Canadian athletes to receive C-DAAP High Performance European Training and Competition Grants this year are Brittany Fraser of New Glasgow, NS, and All In, her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding; Megan Lane of Loretto, ON, and Caravella, her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare; Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, and Anton, a 14-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Robyn Eames; and Chris Von Martels of Ridgetown, ON, and Zilverstar, his 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

About the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP)
The Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP) is a donor-driven program dedicated to supporting and advancing Canada's junior, young rider and high performance riders. The program solicits contributions and awards grants to eligible Canadian dressage riders. C-DAAP's goal is to provide supplemental funding to Canadian dressage athletes to off-set training, competitive and educational expenses incurred during their quest for excellence, thus creating a bridge to high level national and international competition.