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Canadian International Jill Henselwood Wins the Individual Pan American Gold Medal in Brazil… Wearing a Saltare Shirt
August 9. 2007: Lake Oswego, Oregon - With an outstanding performance, Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, won the individual show jumping gold medal on Sunday, July 29, at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking the first time in 24 years that a woman has claimed this honor.
Earlier, on Friday, Henselwood won team silver alongside Eric Lamaze, Ian Millar and Mac Cone for Canada, these two rounds forming the second and third phases of the individual competition, after which Henselwood occupied second place from an original starting field of 47 competitors.
On the last Sunday in July, twenty-nine horse-rider combinations attempted the two-round individual final over a course designed by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge, which was slightly shorter with fewer technical questions than the team final. Following impeccable rounds from riders placed below her, Henselwood also needed a fault-free performance to remain in medal contention and Special Ed – a 13-year-old gelding owned by Juniper Farms – didn’t let her down. The pair moved into the gold-medal-winning position after the leader, Pedro Veniss from Brazil riding Un Blancs de Blanc brought down the first element of the triple combination at fence 11.
Jorge raised the stakes in the second round, setting a bigger track of 10 fences, the highest being a 1m62 vertical. A tight time limit was also a contributing factor to only five horses completing the course within the 61-seconds allowed.
Once again, the burden of pressure fell onto the shoulders of the top-placed riders to maintain their podium positions, and although reigning Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa and Rufus moved into the silver medal position vacated by Ian Millar, following a four-fault round with In Style, Henselwood finished with a dramatic flourish to win her first individual Pan American Games medal with “Special” Ed. Gold!
“I wasn’t so sure it was real! It was a home crowd, and it was very quiet out there after my round,” smiled Henselwood, 44, who also competed at the Pan Am Games in 1995 and 1999. “It was so important that Special Ed win a major title. I’m so glad for him. I thought the competition was as much a world-class competition as I’ve ever done.”
Some 6,800 miles away in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Saltare President and founder Erin Hornung was also thrilled when her long-time product ambassador, Jill Henselwood, stepped onto the podium to receive her gold medal, the Saltare name emblazoned on her shirt collar. “On behalf of Saltare, I would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to Jill. She is such an amazing competitor and always goes that extra mile,” said a delighted Hornung. “But show jumping at this level is all about partnerships, and Jill really deserved this success for both herself and Special Ed. It’s also an incredible honor for Saltare to partner with Jill and share this world-class moment with her on the Pan-Am podium. Saltare couldn’t ask for a better ambassador.”
Saltare is a totally unique concept of high-class custom-designed apparel offering ready-to-wear and made-to-measure shirts, jackets and accessories that allow customers to indulge their passion for style.
As a Saltare ambassador, Jill Henselwood has been impressed by the premium quality, performance and practicality that have been key to Hornung’s incomparable choice of luxurious natural fabrics. For professionals and amateurs alike, beautifully fitted shirts in Egyptian and Sea Isle cottons, and figure-flattering jackets tailored from the most exquisite European wools, combine to produce stunning outfits that will turn heads in every show ring. Likewise, the sheer styling elegance transitions confidently for office wear and cutting a dash around town.
The uniqueness of Saltare’s concept extends to an online design studio (www.shopsaltare.com) enabling customers to design their own shirts and jackets from a wide range of couture-quality styles.
To take advantage of Saltare’s personal measuring service, please consult their calendar of events: www.saltareequestrian.com (“News & Events” – View 2007 Show Schedule). The website also provides information about private trunk shows. Or call Erin Hornung at Saltare, toll free: 1-866 580 5819, e-mail info@saltareequestrian.com.
Photo: Jill Henselwood (© Cealy Tetley)
(The photo may only be used in conjunction with this press release.)
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