Ottawa, Ontario—Canadian riders dominated the Advanced division at the Paxton Spring Classic CDI3* held May 9–11 in Ohio, USA.

 

The winning streak kicked off with the Prix St Georges class where Diane Creech rode to victory with Devon L, Douglas Leatherdale’s eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding sired by De Niro, scoring 68.650%. Fellow Canadian rider Gillian Sutherland of Unionville, ON, followed close behind in second place with 67.600%, aboard her 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Great Tyme, sired by Granulit.

 

Both riders proceeded to improve upon their impressive first day performances, with Creech and Devon L winning the Intermediaire I class on a score of 70.300%. Sutherland and Great Tyme again followed closely in second position with 68.400%.

 

The Canadian hat trick in the Advanced division was completed when Sutherland and Great Tyme rode to first place honours in the Intermediaire I Freestyle with a score of 68.659%

 

The Grand Prix division saw the successful debut of Diane Creech and Wiona, owned by Doug and Louise Leatherdale. Members of the 2007 Silver medal winning Pan American Games Dressage Team, Creech and Wiona, an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare sired by Weltmeyer, earned a score of 67.250% which easily put them in third place out of 13 starters. The Grand Prix result gave Creech a score towards qualifying for the Canadian Olympic Dressage Team.

 

“Wiona never stops to amaze me. Our work in Germany this winter with Canadian team coach Norbert van Laak was so worth it. He is such a great trainer and we are lucky to have him as our coach,” remarked Creech, who started training Wiona when the mare was first imported from Germany as a three-year-old. “Riding down the centre line in my first Grand Prix was most exhilarating. My future goal is keeping Wiona happy, having fun with her work and establishing ourselves in the Grand Prix ring.”

 

Tina Busse-Irwin of Lakefield, ON, was also successful aboard Ute Busse’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Amicelli, placing sixth in the Grand Prix, before finishing fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle on a score of 65.200%. 

 

The international judging panel at the Paxton Spring Classic CDI3* included Canada’s Cara Whitham (FEI O), as well as Col. Axel Steiner (FEI O—USA), Lisette de Purcell (FEI I—DOM), Sarah Geikie (FEI C—USA), Jacques Van Daele (FEI I—BEL) and Gabriel Armando (FEI C—ARG).

For full results and more information, visit www.paxtonfarm.com.

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