Groom's Choice is proud to sponsor Karen Brain in her bid for Olympic Gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Karen Brain was an accomplished rider, coach, and trainer in the Equestrian Sport of Three-Day Eventing, representing Canada at many competitions, until an unfortunate riding accident left her partially paralyzed with a spinal cord injury. After months in the Hospital and years doing Rehab, Karen's strengths as an Athlete, positive attitude, self-determination, dedication, and perseverance lead to her recovery.

Karen started riding again about eight months after her accident. Karen has attained the highest level of competition in both able-bodied and disabled riding competitions. Karen won two Bronze Medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, and won two Silver Medals in 2005 at the Dutch Open International Dressage competition for disabled riders. Before her accident Karen represented Canada in 3-Day Eventing at the World Equestrian Games in Rome in 1998, and the same year, she won the Advanced Canadian Championships in 3-Day Eventing.

Karen has now set her goal to represent Canada at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, and feels that she is capable of winning gold! In 2006, Karen plans to compete in England and Belgium in International competitions for disabled riders, to qualify for the 2007 World Championships in Great Britain for Riders with a Disability.

Karen now calls BC Canada her home, after living and training in Germany , the US and Eastern Canada for nine years. Karen has been fortunate to be able to train with world-renowned Coach, Conrad Schumacher, in Germany , who has helped her immensely.

CREDENTIALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•  Nationally certified Level II Coach and "A" level in Canadian Pony Club

•  Motivational/Inspirational Speaker

•  Nominated for "Courage to Come Back Award", BC, 2005

•  Won BC Athlete of the Year Award 2004 and 1998

•  Honoured by Ontario Equestrian Fed. in recognition of International Achievements in both Canadian Equestrian Team and Paralympic Equestrian Team, 2003

•  Won Greater Victoria (BC) Sports Award "in recognition of Outstanding Courage, Overcoming Adversity & Returning to Competition, 2002

•  Karen & Dasskara on cover of Horse Life magazine in 2004, Karen & Double Take on cover of Horse & Country 1998, and Karen & Double Take on cover of Horse Sport 1997.

EXCELLED IN PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE SINCE INJURY 2001:

•  Two silver Medals at the Dutch Open International August 2005, the Netherlands on Mozart

•  Two Bronze Medals at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games on Dasskara - top Canadian

•  1st Place at Canadian Open, Ontario , May 2004 on Double Take

•  5th Place at European Championships in Portugal 2002 on Q-Karlos - top Canadian

EXCELLED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORT OF 3DAY EVENTING BEFORE INJURY AND A LONG TIME SHORT OR LONG-LISTED RIDER FOR THE CANADIAN EQUESTRIAN TEAM

•  Won CCI* on Ruba Z at Glen Oro, Ontario , September, 2000

•  Won Leading Mare with Ruba Z at Dreamcrest , Ontario , July 2000

•  4th Advanced at Southern Pines, North Carolina on Double Take, 2000

•  Won Advanced at Glen Oro on Mazerati, September, 1999

•  WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES CCIO****, ROME , ITALY (Olympic level) on Double Take 1998 qualifying spot for Canada at 2000 Sydney Olympic Games CCIO****

•  Won Advanced Canadian Championships at Checkmate, Ontario on Double Take, 1998

•  2nd Advanced at Millbrook , New York on Double Take, 1998

•  3rd Advanced at Southern Pines, North Carolina on Double Take, 1998

•  12th Fairhill CCI***, Maryland on Double Take - top Canadian, 1997

•  7th Radnor CCN*, Pennsylvania on Mazerati - top Canadian and Leading Mare, 1997

•  Won Open Intermediate at GlenOro on Double Take, 1997

•  Top third at Rolex Kentucky CCI* * * on Double Take, 1997

•  Won South Okanagon and Long House, BC Intermediate on Double Take, 1996

•  Won Mini-Prix 4'3" Jumper, Thunderbird, BC on Double Take, 1995

•  3rd & 4th Spruce Meadows, Alberta 4'6" Jumper on Double Take, 1995

•  2nd Chase Creek CCI** BC on Double Take, 1995

•  Won Long House Intermediate BC on Double Take, 1994

•  Won 4'6" & 4'3" Jumper Derby at Fort Victoria on Double Take, 1994

•  Won Preliminary Championships, Oregon on Double Take, 1993

•  Won Scholarship to train & compete in Scotland & England with Mark Phillips for 3 months with Alpine Renegade, 1989

•  Won Intermediate Checkmate, Ontario on Alpine Renegade, 1989

•  4th BC Team - North American Y.R's Championships, Chicago with Alpine Renegade, 1988

•  Won Team Gold Medal - Western Canada Summer Games, Alpine Renegade, 1987

•  Won BC Championships, Preliminary, on Alpine Renegade, 1987 & 1986