Classic Canes has sponsored West Country-based para dressage rider Edward Chanin since 2010. Edward is a member of the prestigious World Class Development Squad.

Edward's story:
Edward, 28, is a former show jumper and jockey. In 2001, whilst working in a racing yard, he sustained a serious head and back injury in a schooling fall. He was on a life support system for several weeks and the accident resulted in him being paralysed on his right side. He was determined to ride again and is now a competitive dressage rider. Classified as a Grade Two para dressage rider, he is a member of the World Class Development Squad (funded by UK Sport), which supports the training of disabled dressage riders. Edward is trained by Nina Venables and it is his ambition to represent his country as part of the national team.

Edward needs a stick to walk, so we are delighted to have supplied him with a wardrobe of sticks and seat sticks. We are also providing financial support towards practical needs such as specially-designed reins, competition numnahs and horse rugs. As a stick user who attends a wide variety of sporting and social events, he is the ideal brand ambassador for Classic Canes and has also provided us with some very useful feedback on our products.

Edward says, "I am very pleased to be sponsored by Classic Canes. I now have a wonderful choice of walking sticks, including rustic thumbsticks for everyday use, folding seat sticks for use at competitions and a smart, chrome horse's-head cane for evening events. My favourite is a carved ramshorn shepherd's crook. It is fascinating to realise how many different types of walking sticks are available and that there is a suitable stick for everyone, however young or old."

Edward has recently announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Marie. They will marry in May 2012. Many congratulations to them both.

Edward's News and Results:

Para Winter Qualifier, Kings Equestrian Centre, Bromyard, 10th January 2012
Para Grade II (team): 66.66%
Para Grade 11 (individual championship): 68.57%

19th November 2011: Ed has bought a new horse. My Rubicon ('Roddy') is an eleven year old 17.1hh black Hanoverian gelding. More details soon!

International Para Dressage Competition, Hartpury of Festival of Dressage, 13th July 2011
FEI Para Team Test Grade II: Tarina 67.81 (7th) and Rhadamanthus 65.14 (11th)

Hickstead, British Para National Championship, 24th & 25th June 2011
Para Grade II: Tarina 62.62% (5th) and Rhadamanthus 61.67% (7th)
Para Grade II Team: Rhadamanthus 63.57% (7th) and Tarina 61.67% (8th)

Hartpury Equestrian Centre, Gloucestershire, 13th April 2011
Winter Para Dressage Championship - Grade II: 52.86% (7th)

Home Farm, Cheltenham, 12th March 2011
Team Test - Para Grade II: 67.6% (1st)
Individual Test - Para Grade II: 65.2% (2nd)
This event was a Hickstead points qualifier; Edward gained seven points towards the total of 16 he requires to qualify.

Allen's Hill Equestrian Centre, Pershore, Worcestershire, 18th February 2011
Team test - Para Grade II: 69.05% (1st)
Individual test - Para Grade II: 66.67%. (1st)

Berkshire College, Maidenhead, Berkshire, Saturday 5th February 2011
Para Grade II (non-qualifier): 66.16% (1st)
Para Grade II (Winter qualifier): 66.66% (2nd)

Team Test and Individual Para Grade II Championship
Home Farm Equestrian Centre, Cheltenham, 13th November 2010
Team Test - Para Grade II 67.61% (2nd)
Individual Para Grade II Championship 67.10% (1st)

British National Dressage Championships
Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Friday 10th September 2010
KBIS Dressage Finals (Grade II) 70.16% (2nd) (3rd overall across all grades)
Edward also won the British Dressage Supporters' Club rug as the highest placed member in the para classes.

Qualifier for British Para Dressage Championship
Allens Hill Equestrian Centre, 4th September 2010
Para Dressage Team Test (Grade II): 63.55% (1st)
Para Dressage Individual Championship Test (Open) (Grade II): 70.00% (1st)

Qualifier for British Para Dressage Championship
Home Farm Equestrian Centre, Cheltenham, 28th August 2010
Para Dressage Team Test (Grade II): 71.90% (1st)
Para Dressage Individual Championship Test (Open) (Grade II): 67.14% (1st)

FEI CPEDI3* International Para Dressage Competition
Hartpury Arena, 14, 15, 16th July 2010
FEI Para Freestyle Test (Grade II): 67.75% (6th)
FEI Para Individual Championship Test (Grade II): 62.22% (8th)
FEI Para Team test (Grade II): 65.71% (6th)

Welsh Festival of Dressage
Mount Ballon Manor, Monmouthshire: 5th June 2010
Warm up class: 69% (1st)
KBIS British Equestrian class (Grade II): 70% (1st)
2nd overall in all grades!!