It's an exciting weekend for dressage in Canada with not one but two CDI competitions scheduled: one in Bromont, QC, and one in Calgary, AB. These events mark the final opportunity for declared riders to earn qualifying scores for the 2023 Pan American Games, running October 20 - November 5 in Santiago, Chile.

While Equestrian Canada has released a list (not in ranked order) of the top 5 combinations in each of the Small Tour and Grand Prix divisions, nobody's spot on the team is a certainty. Results from the Calgary and Bromont CDIs may well have a significant effect on the standings. As well, the qualification process outlined by Equestrian Canada leaves wiggle room for the national federation to consider other factors in addition to qualifying scores when selecting team members.

Here is the current top 5 from each division, not in order of rankings:
Grand Prix:

• Naima Moreira Laliberté & Statesman
• Pia Fortmüller & Frieda
• Camille Carier Bergeron & Sound of Silence
• Mathilde Blais Tétreault & Fedor
• Rakeya Moussa & Davidoff V.H. Trichelof

Prix St. Georges:

• Shannon Dueck & Angelika MW
• Beatrice Boucher & Summerwood's Limei
• Vanessa Creech-Terauds & Duchess L
• Shelley Lawder & Balancee
• Lori Bell & Flirt

Good luck to everyone competing this weekend. I'll do my best to post results on Instagram and Facebook!

The Canadian dressage community is mourning the loss of one of its own, following the passing of Harper Mackenzie on August 22 after a lengthy illness.

Harper was a successful FEI competitor and gifted horse trainer, but his true passion was teaching. Drawing on the in-depth knowledge of classical principles he gained while training with the likes of Robert Dover, Cindy and Neil Ishoy, and Norbert Vonlak, Harper had a rare talent for helping his students understand the most technical aspects of dressage. He coached his wife Esther Mortimer to numerous Pan American Games and Nations Cup appearances, and together the pair founded M2 Dressage in Millgrove, Ontario.

Always ready with a smile and a laugh, and always the first to lend a hand to someone who needed it, Harper was so many things to so many people: Husband, father, son, partner, coach, mentor, friend. However, the role he was most proud of was devoted hockey dad.
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Our thoughts are with everyone at M2 Dressage and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, especially wife Esther and son Lucas.