 The four young riders from Quebec who make up Canada’s Pan American Games dressage team each arrived in Santiago with their own dreams, plans, and goals. But as a team, they had just one imperative: win a medal at the 2023 PanAm Games to secure a team spot for Canada at the 2024 Olympics.
After two days of competition there’s just one thing to say: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Finishing on a team total 431.937, the Fab Four earned the bronze medal and punched Team Canada’s ticket to Paris. With stiff competition from gold and silver medalists USA and Brazil, and with fewer than 9 points separating Canada from fourth place Chile, this success is no small feat. Consider that three of our four horse / rider combinations have no experience representing Canada on an international team in the senior ranks, while the sole Olympic and Pan American veteran, Naima Moreira Laliberte, is just 26 years old. This is a young team, both in age and experience, and they performed with remarkable maturity in the face of intense pressure. This is a team for the future! Honorable mention for today goes to Camille Carier Bergeron and Sound of Silence, who got off to a spooky start in yesterday’s Grand Prix, leading to some challenges throughout the test. They back today for the Grand Prix Special refreshed and refocused, earning a personal best 71.511 (74.511 when the 3% bonus for GP competitors is added) - Canada’s high score of the competition. Congratulations to our four riders Camille, Naima, Mathilde, and Bea, along with their grooms, coaches Brittany Fraser Beaulieu, Christilot Boylen and Jordi Domingo, and the entire support staff on the ground in Santiago. And now - on to the freestyle, which will determine the individual medal standings. Bonne chance les Canadiennes!
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 Lori Bell and Flirt, with FEI judge Sarah Geike (Photo: Alison King) 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:
Prix St. Georges:
Good luck to everyone competing this weekend. I'll do my best to post results on Instagram and Facebook!  Esther and Harper, riding Linosso and Westeross at M2 Dressage (photo: Alison King) 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. 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. With more than 250 entries, 800+ tests ridden, and six rings operating simultaneously, Angelstone Equestrian Park west of Toronto was the place to be for Canadian dressage fans this weekend as Caledon Dressage hosted another record-breaking competition. Spectators were treated to an impressive lineup of top riders competing in the small and big tour in hopes of earning a spot in Canada’s Pan American Games team, as well as getting a glimpse of the sport’s future with some up-and-coming talent making a splash. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, who competed for Canada at the Tokyo Olympics, earned small tour wins aboard Jaccardo (Desperados x Jazz) with scores of 73.039 in the PSG and 74.559 in the I1, edging out Shannon Dueck and Angelika MW (69.951 and 71.862) in both classes. Beatrice Boucher and Summerwoods’s LiMei finished third in the PSG with 68.872, while Abbey Simbrow and Estor rounded out the top three in the I1 with 70.735. The 9-year-old gelding Jaccardo is one of three exciting young horses owned by former Canadian team member Jill Irving who were piloted by Fraser-Beaulieu this weekend. “Jaccardo was just purchased in May so we have a new partnership, but his rideability in the ring was super and he was completely focused on me,” Brittany said. “I feel so lucky to get to ride a horse like Jacc; Jill and I are very excited about his future.” Brittany impressed the judging panel in the FEI 7-year-old classes with Irving’s gelding Leeghwater (Franklin x Tango), scoring 75 and 76 in the technical tests and earning 8s and 9s for his powerful canter. She also earned scores over 74% at Fourth Level in the national show with 8-year-old Knight (Blue Hors Zack x Crack C), who is usually campaigned by Irving. Not in action this weekend was Jill Irving’s Medoc, a 6-year-old gelding by Vivaldi. A few weeks ago at the CDI in Palgrave, Ontario, Brittany competed him in the 6-year-old classes with scores up to 88%. “I want to thank Jill for giving me this wonderful opportunity to ride her talented string of horses,” she said. “The future looks very bright for Canada!” In the CDI1* I1 freestyle, Lori Bell and Flirt earned their third small tour victory of the summer. The toe-tapping “In the Mood” themed performance scored 72.79 for a decisive win over Simone Williams and Heirdero Santana (70.817) and Nancy Maclachlan with Dreo (70.642). In the big tour classes, Evi Strasser and Deja Vu Tyme finished on top in the CDI3* Grand Prix with 67.935, followed by Mathilde Tetrault and Fedor (67.63) and Tom Dvorak with Cyrus (66.41). In the CEI3* Grand Prix Special, Mathilde Tetrault and Fedor scored 68.735 for their third big tour win of the summer. Camille Carrier Bergeron was close behind in second with Sound of Silence 4 on a score of 68.149, while Evi Strasser and Deja Vu Tyme placed third with 66.936. In the CDI3*GP Freestyle Rakeya Moussa and Davidoff V. H. Trichelhoff’s “Beauty and the Beast” themed routine scored 69.885 for the win, followed by Evi Strasser and her Disney-themed performance with Disney Tyme for 69.8. Jacqueline Brooks and Te Amo QOS rounded out the top three with 67.275. “Davidoff was my Young Rider horse and this is both of our first year competing Grand Prix so I’m very happy with the results of our first freestyle,” said Rakeya. “I’ve been training in the USA with Katherine Bateson Chandler for almost 10 years, but this summer I’ve been based in Canada, doing a combination of in-person lessons with Belinda Trussell and online with Katherine. Belinda and her team have created a wonderful, supportive training environment. I’ve enjoyed attending both Caledon Dressage CDIs with Belinda’s team. I especially like how well organized and welcoming the show organizers, officials and competitors have been!” “We are thrilled that this competition has broken our previous record for entries, making it Canada’s largest dressage show,” said Caledon Dressage president Andrew Woodley. “It takes an enormous amount of work for our volunteer-run association to organize four huge shows in the span of four months - two of them CDIs - but it’s worth it to give Canadians the chance to compete at world-class venues in front of a panel of top international judges. I want to thank our army of volunteers, all the staff at Angelstone, our judges and officials, our sponsors, and of course all the competitions for making this show such a success.” The international judging panel in Rockwood included Brenda Minor (Canada), Magnus Ringmark (Sweden), Cesar Torrente (Colombia), Cara Whitham (Canada) and Omar Zayrik (Mexico). Only three opportunities remain for Canadian riders to earn qualifying scores for the 2023 PanAm Games in Santiago, Chile, with CDIs scheduled in Vancouver, Calgary, and Bromont, Quebec. Full scores for the weekend’s national and CDI classes are available at competeeasy.com and on the Compete Easy app.  Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo with FEI5* judge Magnus Ringmark at the Caledon Dressage CDI at Angelstone (credit: Alison King)  With a record-setting 249 horses entered, Canada’s largest dressage show got underway Friday at the Caledon Equestrian Park, north of Toronto.
While the National show offers Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Western dressage divisions, the CDI classes are generating the most buzz in this all-important Pan-Am Games qualifying season. With just a handful of opportunities to earn qualifying CDI scores on home soil, these international competitions are especially important for Canadian riders who did not compete in the USA during the winter season. “We are thrilled to be back at the beautiful Caledon Equestrian Park, hosting a record-breaking competition at a world-class facility like this,” said Caledon Dressage President Andrew Woodley. “We’re proud to develop the grassroots of the sport with a top quality National show. With classes from Intro to FEI, Bronze to Gold, and even a Western dressage division, we truly offer something for everyone in a welcoming, competitor-friendly environment. The CDI competition is a valuable opportunity for Canada’s top riders to shine on the international stage and get feedback from a panel of renowned FEI judges before the upcoming Pan American Games in Santiago.” As Pan Am teams are a mix of Small Tour and Grand Prix competitors, all eyes were on the hotly-contested CDI Grand Prix and PSG classes. It was a good day for Quebec’s Good Tyme Stables in the CDI*** Grand Prix, as founder Evi Strasser finished first aboard her own Deja Vu Tyme with 67.891%, while taking third place aboard Disney Tyme on 66.413%. Rounding out the top three was Evi’s daughter Tanya Strasser Shostak, who scored 66.587% riding Fidelis Tyme. “I’m so happy and proud of my boys Deja Vu Tyme and Disney Tyme getting personal best scores,” said Strasser, who has represented Canada at the Olympics (1996), World Equestrian Games (2006) and multiple World Cup Finals. “Both of them were amazing to ride; they felt effortless throughout the Grand Prix. To see Tanya riding Fidelis Tyme to a 2nd place finish and personal best score in just his second CDI was wonderful. It was always my dream to share the winner’s circle in a CDI Grand Prix with my daughter. As you can see, dreams do come true!” Nineteen horse / rider combinations cantered down centre line in the CDI* Prix St-Georges class. Lori Bell of Beaverton, Ontario scored the win on her own Flirt, finishing with a total 72.451% and edging out Megan Lane on Deer Ridge Equestrian’s lovely Furst Foundation with 72.059. Rounding out the top three was Beatrice Boucher and Summerwood’s Limei with 70.343. “Flirt felt amazing,” said Lori Bell. “Confident, forward and ready to do his job. This horse will give me the moon if he’s able. The ride was so much fun!” CDI and National show action continues Saturday and Sunday at Caledon Equestrian Park. Full scores and live scoring are available on the Compete Easy app. ABOUT CALEDON DRESSAGE Canada’s largest dressage show series is organized entirely by volunteers from Caledon Dressage, a non-profit organization committed to encouraging the sport of dressage at the local, provincial and national level. For more information visit caledondressage.ca. 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 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 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."  Leonie Brammall and Cricket BD at the 2023 CDI Olomouc. Photo: Petra Kerschbaum / Eurodressage 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.  |
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