Shannon Dueck

Korona Helped Take Dueck to the Top in Competition

It was with her long-time partner, Korona, that Shannon Dueck really made a name for herself among FEI-level competitors. The fabulous Dutch Warmblood is now owned by adult amateur rider Laurie Cole of Michigan. The change in ownership allowed Korona a more relaxed, stress-free life after years of showing, but allowed Dueck to keep tabs on her good friend and be there if he needs her.

In speaking of Korona, Dueck calls him her "first really good dressage horse." The pair grew together under the guidance of Bert Rutten of Holland and Kathy Connelly of the United States . Their first big international success was the Individual Silver Medal at the 1999 Pan American Games. The following year they moved up to Grand Prix and in 2002 became Canada 's brightest star at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, when Korona and Dueck were the only Canadian pair to make the individual Finals.

In 2003 they competed in Sweden at the World Cup Finals, and at Hickstead at the Open European Championship where they helped the Canadian Team land a place at the Olympics in Athens. In 2004, hoping to make the Olympic Team, Dueck and Korona traveled to Europe for four months where they competed, and placed, in seven CDI's. The most notable placing for Dueck was a fourth place among the world's best at Rotterdam. They made an important breakthrough during this time, as the sometimes-explosive gelding finally relaxed in his rider's hands, showing the judges time and again how he was maturing.

But the 2004 Olympics for Dueck and Korona were not to be, as Canadian rules required they return to Canada for the Selection Trials. Korona had a slight fever at the time he was to ship back to North America, and his well-being was more important to Dueck than achieving the lifelong goal they were so well positioned for.