2010_Hawley_Torch_web.jpgOttawa, ON – Canadian Eventing Olympian Hawley Bennett of Langley, BC, had the honour of being a torch bearer for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Bennett carried the flame on February 9 in Richmond, BC, and as part of her final steps, lit the torch of the next torch bearer beside the Olympic Oval, where the speed skating events will take place.

“My heart was beating out of my chest, and I cannot believe how many people come out to see us run and to see the flame,” said Bennett. “I have the Olympic bug. I can’t put the experience into words. It was just incredible.”

Bennett, riding her long-time partner Livingstone, Canadian thoroughbred gelding owned by Bennett and her mother Gerry, was a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, GRE, and was a member of the 2003 silver medal winning Pan Am Championships Team.

Bennett is currently training and competing with her horses Gin & Juice, she co-owns with American Linda Paine, and Splendorofthesun, who Bennett co-owns with Pamela Hudson, with the goal of being selected to represent Canada at The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ Kentucky 2010 which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, US, September 25 – October 10, 2010.