Two-time Olympian Jacqueline Brooks was back in the winner’s circle today, earning her first Grand Prix Freestyle win aboard Te Amo in the CDI3* division at the Ottawa Dressage Festival.

Riding to the iconic “opera freestyle” music created by Tamara Williamson and made famous by her now-retired partner D-Niro, Brooks and Theo, as he’s known in the barn, earned scores of 71.25 - 73.625 - 73.375 - 73.4 - 71.25 for a personal best overall score of 72.58%.

“It’s such an amazing freestyle. I love both the music and the choreography, and it really suits Te Amo as much as it did D-Niro,” said Brooks. “It felt right, like the passing of a torch, and it is an excellent gauge for where Theo is at in his training. He’s really starting to find his confidence in himself and his abilities.”

CDI3* GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE RESULTS
1. Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) - Te Amo - 72.58
​2. Alison Carmichael (USA) - Figaro - 69.74*
3. Suzanne Dutt-Roth (CAN) - Hulk Hogan - 67.365*

Beatrice Boucher and Summerwood’s Limei made it 2 for 2 in the small tour, following up yesterday’s PSG win with a victory today in the CDI1* Intermediate 1 (71.422*). Limei’s Quebec-based breeders DeLys Farm must have been thrilled to see two of their offspring in the victory lap, as Belinda Trussell finished second on Feng DeLys (70.735). Rounding out the top three was Abbey Simbrow on Estor (67.402)

Saturday was a day of personal bests for many riders in the CPEDI competition, including several members of Canada’s national para-dressage squad.

CPEDI3* RESULTS
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Grade 1 Grand Prix B
1. Jody Schloss (CAN) - El Colorado - 73.264*
2. Jody Schloss (CAN) - Lieutenant Lobin - 70.764*

Grade III Grand Prix B
1. Roberta Sheffield (CAN) - Delilah - 71.945*
2. Elle Woolley (USA) - Deucalion - 66.166*
Lauren Barwick (CAN) - Le Ferro MTA - retired

Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Joelle Trudeau (CAN) - 66.62

Grade V Grand Prix B
​1.Eleanor Elstone (CAN) - 67.675*
2. Andie Sue Roth (USA) - 65.833*

CPEDI 2* RESULTS
Grade I Intermediate B
1. Alexandra Vadnais (CAN) - Alaska du Fjord - 59.583*

Grade III Intermediate B
1. Kim Scott (CAN) - Party Girl - 60.376*

Grade IV Intermediate B
1. Kyla Sorensen (CAN) - Gandalf - 64.731*
2. Catherine Bridges (CAN) - Dark Velvet - 63.871*

Grade V Intermediate B
1. Marley Crosby (CAN) - Arpeggio - 62.626*

​*personal best
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CDI and CPEDI competition kicked off at the Ottawa Dressage Festival today, with an exciting mix of national team members, seasoned veterans, and new horse/rider combinations competing in this important qualifying year for the upcoming Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

In the CDI3* Grand Prix, Mathilde Blais Tetrault earned a total score of 69.109% for the win aboard her 13-year-old KWPN gelding Fedor (Johnson Tn x Negro).This marks the second year in a row Mathilde has won the CDI Grand Prix in the nation's capital.

"My horse felt great today," said Mathilde. "He was a little but hot because he's not used to competing in the cold weather. so I had to manage his energy. I'm looking forward to the Grand Prix Special on Sunday and I'm happy because this puts me in a very good position for Pan Ams. Overall I'm very, very proud of my horse."

In the CDI1* Prix St-Georges, Beatrice Boucher and Summerwood's Limei scored the win with 71.128%, edging out Lori Bell and Flirt, with 70.539%. 2020 Olympic team member Brittany Fraser Beaulieu rounded out the top three, earning 69.853% aboard the 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding Downing Street. 

The victory was especially sweet for Beatrice, who competed the talented Limei (Londonderry x Weltmeyer) in the young horse classes from age 4 through 6, regaining the ride on her at age 8.  The 10-year old Hanoverian mare was bred in Ulverton, Quebec by Linda Tetrault of Delys Farm. 

"This is my first time riding in the Ottawa Dressage Festival. There is so much going on and Limei loves it," said Beatrice. "She felt fresh but so relaxed at the same time today; it was just the perfect mix and made her easy to ride."

Canada's rising stars were shining in the CDIY Young Riders Team test, where Anna Swackhammer and Fabienna earned the win and a personal best score of 67.745. Hanae Thiverge was the sole competitor in the CDIJ Junior Team test, riding Fiorettino.

An impressive lineup of Paralympics and World Equestrian Games veterans topped the CPEDI leaderboards. 

In the CPEDI3* Grade 1 Grand Prix A Jody Schloss piloted her colourful new mount El Colorado to victory with a super score of 72.014, while scoring 69.292% for second place aboard her longtime partner Lieutenant Lobin. Alexandra Vadnais was the sole competitor in the CPEDI2* Grade 1 Intermediate A, finishing on a score of 55.75% after a challenging day. 

Roberta Sheffield and Delilah rode to victory in the CPEDI38 Grade III Grand Prix, while Kim Scott and Party Girl captured the CPEDI2* Grade III Intermediate A.  In the Grade IV division Joelle Trudeau and Sinclair were victorious in the Grand Prix A, and Catherine Bridges won the Intermediate A with Dark Velvet. Eleanor Elstone won the Grade V Grand Prix A, while Marley Crosby rounded out the Grade V division with the Intermediate A win.

Full scores for the CDI and CPEDI are available at Equestrian Hub.

The first long weekend of the Canadian summer is here, and along with it the first CDI / CPDEI of the Canadian season. A whopping 47 horse / rider combinations are entered across the two FEI-sanctioned competitions at the Ottawa Dressage Festival, which must be close to a Canadian record. 

The impressive international judging panel includes Joanne Bouwhuis (Canada), Birgit Valkenborg (Canada), Anne Gribbons (USA), Maria Colliander (Finland), Freddy Leyman (Belgium),  John Robinson (Great Britan), Debbie Rodriguez (USA) and Sarah Geikie (USA).

After a busy day of classes in the National show, the CDI / CPEDI action kicked off at Wesley Clover Parks this afternoon with the jog, with classes beginning early Thursday morning. Live scoring is available, or check back here tomorrow for a summary of the day's results.

Jog photos are from the Ottawa Dressage Festival Facebook page. 

After a 16-year hiatus, Canada's Leonie Brammall made a triumphant return to Grand Prix  CDI competition at the CDI Olomouc in Czechia. Riding her homebred partner Cricket BD, Leonie placed second in the GP with a total score of 66.935% and rode to victory in the Special on a total score of 68.872%.

Leonie, now 59, has lived and trained in Germany since the age of 18, and is a highly sought-after clinician in Europe. She has represented Canada at the North American Young Riders Championships, World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics. She was named to both the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Games in Atlanta, however was not able to compete in 1992 due to a health issue with her legendary mare Gilbona. 

​Will we see Leonie vying for a spot on Canada's 2024 Olympic dressage team? In an interview with Eurodressage she said, "Time will tell if a Paris team spot is a realistic idea or not. Every other horse I have brought up to Grand Prix the last years was always sold. We bred Cricket ourselves and we’re finally in position to be able to keep him and maybe have for me have one last Olympics."

The 29th Oldenburg Elite Foal Auction has wrapped up, with the high seller purchased by a Canadian. Rider and breeder Vicky Lavoie of Magog, QC acquired the beautiful filly Kir Royal (Kjento x Vivaldi x Royal Hit) for 33,000 Euro. 

The filly is the latest addition to Lavoie's impressive collection of elite quality young prospects. In time she plans to breed Kir Royal to her recently-licensed Danish stallion Valuable.