Jessica Phoenix
Canada’s Leading Eventer

thejessicaphoenixstory.com
FB: @PhoenixEquestrianTeam
IG: @OfficialTeamPhoenix

Two-time Olympian and 5-time PAN AM Medalist, Jessica Phoenix has been passionate about horses since the age of one, when she got her first pony. Raised on a small hobby farm, in the community of Uxbridge ON, an hour north of Toronto, Jessica discovered the world of Eventing at the age of 11 - and has never looked back.

Jessica is the subject and inspiration of a song, called RISE, based on the events of May of 2015. While competing at The Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials in the cross-country phase, her horse slipped and fell: her horse was uninjured, but Jessica lay unconscious, and was rushed to ICU with a lacerated liver, a punctured lung, 3 broken ribs, a concussion, and a shattered sacrum. As the PAN AM Gold Medalist in Eventing from the 2011 Guadalajara Games, Jessica was determined to defend her gold medal on home turf, in front of her home crowd of Toronto: yet her doctors were not optimistic and told her family that she would not recover in time to participate in the games. But then, they did not know Jessica: Her unwavering grit and belief in herself was all that she needed to make a full recovery - getting all clear to get back in the saddle within weeks. She went on to lead the Canadian Eventing Team, winning Individual Silver, and a Bronze for team Canada on her mount Pavarotti. And talk about a winning combination: Jessica and Pavarotti are the only equestrian Eventing duo to medal in 3 consecutive Pan AM Games: Guadalajara in 2011 (Gold & Silver), Toronto in 2015 (Silver & Bronze) and Lima in 2019 (Silver)

She is also the subject of the book RISE: The Jessica Phoenix Story (ISBN: 978-0-9688438-1-9) which chronicles the past 10 years of her competitive life: “This is a story about trial and triumph. It’s about a small-town girl with big dreams and the faith to realize them. It’s about fighting through life-threatening injuries and injustice to achieve a greater goal — and doing so with a level of determination, confidence, and grace that shines bright. ... It’s a powerful blueprint that we can all use to overcome the inevitable curveballs life throws at us.” notes author and journalist Julie Fitz-Gerald, who is also Jessica's sister.

While most competitors spend their pre-show time getting in the zone, one will find Jessica teaching and mentoring students. Take the 2017 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge at The 95th Royal Horse Show as an example: this is the first event that opens the annual Royal Winter Agricultural Fair - and the largest indoor eventing purse in North America. Held over 2 days, this event sees riders from around the world compete for their share of $20,000 in prize money. On both days, Jessica spent her time holding clinics with students from the Canadian Pony Club and the Ontario Eventing Association, followed by a meet-and-greet, a book signing and - on the second night - another meet-and-greet following a speech at the “Women In Agriculture” reception ... all prior to the competition. No surprise, Jessica went on to win the event, on her mount Abbey GS.

In her spare time, Jessica shares her inspirational story with school children, teaching them the values of dedication and commitment to achieve one's dreams.

Jessica has built a successful career as a trainer and a coach, as well as an international competitor and member of the Canadian High Performance National Squad. She is a mentor and role model to young riders across Canada and around the globe. She is married to Joel and has two beautiful children, Jacob and Jordan. Mom, wife, businesswoman, mentor, public speaker, spokesperson, coach and athlete, Jessica is living proof that if you dream it, you can achieve it.

Sabrina Glaser
Owner/Head Trainer - Excalibur Equestrian

excaliburequestrian.com
FB: @SabrinaGlaser
IG: @excaliburequestrian

Sabrina is a Canadian International Advanced level Event rider who began her journey at the International level in 2004 (she began competing in 1989) and has been named to the Canadian Equestrian Team training list 8 times!
Some of her notable achievements include; winner of the Rebecca Farms FEI CCI 4 *s, winner of the Aspen Farms Adequan USEA Advanced Gold Cup 2 consecutive years, and Sabrina is a 3 time winner of USEA Blue Ribbon award (each received for 3 or more top 3 finishes in a year on the same horse). Sabrina also was in the top 3 placing at multiple FEI 4* competitions on 2 different horses, was placed at the Advanced American Eventing Championships in Kentucky and was the winner of “Fittest horse Award” at Chase Creek Three day event.

A passion for horses, sport and Olympics have been fueled throughout Sabrina’s life by her rich equestrian heritage. Her parents produced many horses, one of which was Adonis, who competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She has also drawn inspiration from her Great Aunt and Uncle who represented Switzerland in Olympic Show Jumping multiple times.

Coaching is Sabrina’s other passion; she became a certified High Performance Competition Coach in 2001. By continuing to operate her business, Excalibur Equestrian, in Langley, BC while pursuing Eventing at the International level, she hopes to inspire young athletes in her community. Giving back to the community that has supported her over the years, she assists in BC Young Riders XC course walks and recently volunteered and was elected as a Director of Horse Trials BC, the Chair of the Safety and Rules committee and a member of the High Performance Committee.

It is only through the continued support of her fabulous sponsors and owners that she is able to continue this incredible journey.