Merritt Eventer Dana Cooke

By Marcia Cooper | Photos by Cealy Tetley

Many of you may know Dana from the time she started eventing at the age of 8, competing in every possible competition available in British Columbia and, when able, competing in the USA, prior to her move to North Carolina.

Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi

riginally from Merritt, BC, she is now residing in Mooresville, North Carolina. We have all watched her talent, horsemanship, dedication, and perseverance in this sport we all love. Dana is an ‘A’ graduate of the Canadian Pony Club, was a long-time member/participant of the BC Young Riders program, graduated from Kwantlen Polytech University with honours in the Farrier program, a certified Canadian coach, a working student with Rebecca Howard (another former BC Eventer), Rebecca’s “right hand” person at The Fork, then grooming for her at the 2011 Pan American Games and 2012 Olympic Games. Dana has continued educating herself with as much knowledge possible – seeking out the best coaches (many in BC), listening and learning from upper lever riders, and constantly adding to her "toolbox."

In 2019, Dana and FE Mississippi (Missi) were members of the Canadian Pan American Bronze Medal Team, held in Lima, Peru with fellow Canadians Colleen Loach, Jessica Phoenix and Karl Slezak.

2022 has had a fabulous start to the east coast eventing season for Dana and her horses:

At the Redhills International 3*S in March,

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National Distributor: Canadian Centurion • 1-800-361-3860 • Local: Janian Imports (604) 462-9238 Manufactured for: Integrated Bio Systems Inc. • Abbotsford, BC • Phone: 1-877-501-5003 E-Mail: intbiosys@shaw.ca • www.integratedbiosys.com Dana and FE Quatro placed 3rd and Dana and Harlequin placed 12th. Dana’s Harlequin horse was bred by another former Merrittonian, who has her veterinarian practice in Maryland.

At the April Chattahoochee Hills International Horse Trials, Dana and Missi, landed at the top of the podium against 38 other competitors. This is Dana and Missi’s first 4*S win.

At the end of April at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event, Dana and Missi competed against 46 entries in the 4*S, with only 29 completing all three-phases. Dana said, “It has been a great week here at Kentucky. We put in a consistent dressage test, and I’m pretty happy with her.” “‘Miss Perfect,’ her nickname, has always been a very sweet, polite mare and she tries hard to be good.” The cross-country proved to be quite influential and resulted in a large move up in the leaderboard from 24th to 5th place going into show jumping, where Dana and Missi remained.

So where to now?

2022 is World Equestrian Games year (WEG), and Dana is looking to further her 2019 experience as a member of the Canadian Eventing Team by competing in Europe this spring. Going “across the pond,” to compete against some of Europe’s best, she will gather valuable international experience, and will become a more experienced member of the Canadian Team.

Her plans for the immediate future are to travel with FE Mississippi to compete in the Millstreet International Event held in Ireland on June 2–4, with the goal of qualifying for,

l to r: At the Pan American Games podium, Karl, Colleen, Jessica, and Dana. Dana and Missi over one of the iconic crosscountry jumps at the Pan American Games Celebration gallop at Land Rover Kentucky

and hopefully subsequently being selected for the Canadian Eventing Team at the WEG, taking place in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy September 1418. If not successful in Team selection, “Missi” will remain in England to make the most of their European time, with Dana and Missi competing at the Blenheim Palace Horse Trials September 15-18.

Dana has figured out the cost for such a trip is around $30,000 to $35,000 dollars USD. Dana would also like to donate a portion of all money raised to the Merritt Relief Fund via The Merritt Rotary Club, to help her hometown recover from the devastating wildfires and floods that hit in 2021.

Dana and her support group have been fundraising since the beginning of April, to raise the necessary funds to make this trip happen. To date there has been a successful “Meet and Greet” at Kingfisher Park Equestrian; an All Roads Lead to Europe - Dana Cooke Fundraiser | 32auctions fundraiser; and a raffle for a Hit-Air Vest donated by Chelan Kozak. Further to this, Dana will be doing a clinic at the Equus Equestrian Center in Salmon Arm on June 11-12.

As we witnessed with our Canadian Winter Olympic Athletes, some amazing achievements and amazing stories of Courage, Tenacity, Risk and Hope... we ask and hope you will be part of another amazing story.

If you wish to donate and become part of Dana’s European Journey or have any questions, please contact us at our email addresses: Marcia Cooper, marciacooper@telus.net Dana Cooke, danacooke@ kfpequestrian.com

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