| Nicknames |
Jessie, Wonder Woman (horse-canada.com, 04 Jun 2018; eventingnation,com, 11 Jan 2014) |
| Most influential person in career |
Her husband Joel. (horse-canada.com, 01 Jun 2016) |
| Injuries |
In May 2015 she spent 13 days in hospital after falling at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in Allentown, NJ, United States of America. She required surgery on her liver, and also broke three ribs and the sacrum bone at the base of her spine. (eventingconnect.today, 21 May 2015)
She broke her left collarbone in 2012 after falling at a competition in Beaumont, AB, Canada. She had surgery on the injury and was still able to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London later that year. (100huntley YouTube channel, 31 Jul 2012) |
| Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs |
She uses visualisation to go through her rides before competing, and often photographs the jumps to aid in her visualisation process. (useventing.com, 20 Oct 2020) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Don't rush things. Sometimes it will feel like your peers may be passing you by, but don't get discouraged. Stay focused, put in the work, and your time will come." (womenofinfluence.ca, 05 Jan 2019) |
| Awards and honours |
In 2014 she was named Leading Lady Rider in Ontario, Canada. (eventingconnect.today, 07 Jan 2015)
She was named Equestrian of the Year at the 2012 Equine Canada Annual Awards. (horse-canada.com, 06 Feb 2012) |
| Other sports |
She has competed in equestrian jumping at elite level. (FEI, 24 Sep 2022) |
| Other information |
STABLES
She owns Phoenix Equestrian in Ontario, Canada, where she coaches riders and also trains and trades horses for eventing. "In 10 years [speaking in 2020] I hope to have coached my students to the national team level. To stand next to them on a podium would be a dream come true. I want to see Canada on top." (Facebook page, 23 Apr 2023; jessicaphoenix.ca, 29 Jul 2021; horsesport.com, 11 May 2020)
TOKYO WITHDRAWAL
She withdrew from the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo due to a minor injury her horse Pavarotti sustained during a preparation gallop in July 2021. "While I am devastated that Rotti will not get to compete and show his talent on the world stage, I am thankful that he will be back to his usual self soon." (jessicaphoenix.ca, 29 Jul 2021; horseandhound.co.uk, 29 Jul 2021; equestrian.ca, 28 Jul 2021)
2016 OLYMPIC SELECTION
She was originally chosen as a reserve rider for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but appealed against Canadian team selector Clayton Fredericks' decision. The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada [SDRCC] investigated the case and ruled that Fredericks had failed to adhere to Equestrian Canada's selection criteria. The SDRCC also deemed that Phoenix's overall results warranted her a place at the Games. She replaced fellow rider Kathryn Robinson, who would later regain her place in the team due to the withdrawal of Selena O'Hanlon. (equnews.com, 26 Oct 2016; horse-canada.com, 29 Jul 2016; eventingnation.com, 25 Jul 2016)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2017 the book 'Rise: The Jessica Phoenix Story' was released. It was written by her sister Julie Fitz-Gerald, who is a journalist and author, and follows her equestrian career and return from serious injury at the 2015 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in Allentown, NJ, United States of America. She was also the inspiration for the 2017 song 'Rise' by country musician Elyse Saunders, which is based on her comeback from the same accident. In 2020 she was featured as an equestrian mentor in 'All-Round Champion', a North American television series in which 10 young athletes compete in a variety of sporting challenges. (jessicaphoenix.ca, 22 Apr 2020; thebrockvoice.com, 10 Nov 2017; heelsdownmag.com, 04 May 2017) |
FEI Database
www.jessicaphoenix.ca/ 
www.facebook.com/jessica.phoenix.54 
twitter.com/Phoenix_Eq_Team 
instagram.com/officialteamphoenix 
www.youtube.com/channel/UCDDnL5wNefur9SEPE9cZlmA 
