Ottawa’s own Madison Cadieux Moran won the $10,000 Founders Capital Cup Hunter Derby, held in memory of Jeff Brandmaier and presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, on Wednesday, August 13, during the RBC Ottawa International CSI5* CSI2* at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.
From a starting field of 17 entries, Cadieux Moran emerged victorious riding over a course designed by Chris Gahan and Pierre Birch and beautifully decorated by Levko Malyna. Competitors had a choice between jumping at the 3’ height with 3’3” options or at 3’6” with options between 3’9” and 4’3”. Cadieux Moran opted to contest the 3’6” height and took all the options offered with Lewis van de Kampel, her 14-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood gelding (H&M Cabrio van de Heffinck x Gratianus).
Second place went to Courtney Bacso of Kitchener, ON, riding Twelfth Night for Knightwood Stables while Santana Wright of Ajax, ON, rounded out the top three with her own Golden Age.
Cadieux Moran and Lewis van de Kampel also won the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic, presented by Cityscape, earlier in the day. In that class, riders had the option of competing at the 3’, 3’3”, or 3’6” height with Cadieux Moran once again contesting the 3’6” height. She took the win over Casey Butcher of Hudson, QC, riding Tintoretto and third place finisher Emma Cassell of Ottawa, ON, who was aboard So Special.
“Never in a million years did I think we would win both classes today,” said Cadieux Moran, 21, who trains with Taylor Mulligan at Silver Meadows in Kemptville, ON. “It’s a career highlight, both for him and for me.”
In the $10,000 Founders Capital Cup Hunter Derby, the pair showed off their style over the course with Cadieux Moran noting, “There were plenty of opportunities to be handy, open the stride, and leave out strides. I thought it was a great track.”
Cadieux Moran originally purchased Lewis van de Kampel to be her equitation horse. In 2023, they finished second in the CET Medal Regional Finals to qualify for the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. However, they soon discovered that the multi-talented horse had potential to excel in hunter derby competition.
“We’ve been together four years now and we’re a pretty strong team at this point,” she said. “We initially got him to do the CET Medal and equitation classes, and we added the hunter derbies as something to do on the side. We’ve ditched the equitation!”
As an Ottawa-area resident, Cadieux Moran enjoys having an international caliber equestrian facility in her hometown.
“I love showing in Ottawa,” she said. “The convenience is one major benefit. I love the ambiance and the variety. It’s nice that they offer the hunter derby on both the grass and the all-weather during the year. I did the derby on the grass field in July, and we placed fourth. It was so fun!”
Competing with Lewis van de Kampel also makes it fun for Cadieux Moran.
“He is the most puppy dog horse you’ll every own,” she said. “All he ever wants is treats, cuddles, and to do his job for you. He’s a seasoned guy at this point; just bring him in and let him do his job. And fun fact: Tim Horton’s apple fritter donuts are his favourite treat!”
The $10,000 Founders Capital Cup is part of the Canadian Hunter Derby Series with points earned toward the year-end final held at the Royal Horse Show in November. This year’s event was held in memory of Jeff Brandmaier, who developed and managed the Canadian Hunter Derby Series together with his wife, Margaret “Muffie” Guthrie, to promote the sport in Canada.
All eyes now turn to show jumping at the RBC Ottawa International, featuring CSI5* and CSI2* divisions sanctioned by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Attracting some of the highest-ranked athletes in the world to the Nation’s Capital, including world number one Kent Farrington (USA), the RBC Ottawa International competition highlights are as follows:
Friday, August 15 at 12 p.m. – US $31,020 1.45m Soltek Equestrian Qualifier CSI2*
Friday, August 15 at 4 p.m. – US $75,000 1.50m Steel-Craft Door Products Qualifier CSI5*
Saturday, August 16 at 10 a.m. – US $6,800 1.45m CIBC Wood Gundy Speed CSI2*
Saturday, August 16 at 2 p.m. – US $70,000 1.50m Brookstreet Winning Round CSI5*
Sunday, August 17 at 10 a.m. – US $35,000 1.45m Mark Motors Group Grand Prix CSI2*
Sunday, August 17 at 2 p.m. – US $340,000 1.60m RBC Grand Prix CSI5*
For more information on the RBC Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, visit here.
Full results can be found here.
$10,000 Founders Capital Cup Hunter Derby, Presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Rider / Hometown / Horse
1. Madison Cadieux Moran / Clarence Creek, ON / Lewis van de Kampel
2. Courtney Bacso / Kitchener, ON / Twelfth Night
3. Santana Wright / Ajax, ON / Golden Age
4. Caroline Martel / Saint-André-Avellin, QC / Shotgun van’t Gellut
5. Kendra Martenfeld / Schomberg, ON / Koning Boudewijn
6. Chloe Parker / Ashton, ON / Archetype
7. Emma Cassell / Ottawa, ON / So Special
8. Sara Dube Lapointe / Saint-Calixte, QC / C. Ivy League
9. Mackenize Nadeau / Stittsville, ON / Coldplay
10. Wendy Jones / Williamsburg, ON / Praline
$5,000 Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic, Presented by Cityscape
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Rider / Hometown / Horse
1. Madison Cadieux Moran / Clarence Creek, ON / Lewis van de Kampel
2. Casey Butcher / Hudson, QC / Tintoretto
3. Emma Cassell / Ottawa, ON / So Special
4. Erin Oswald / Rigaud, QC / Rivercross Ocean
5. Alexa Boutin / Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC / Campari
6. Meghan Routier / Ottawa, ON / Pacman
7. Emily Courcy / Limoges, ON / Smooth Operator
8. Emily Lauzon / Blainville, QC / Simon
9. Sophie Proulx / St. Lazare, QC / Cashtanha
10. Sara Dube Lapointe / Saint-Calixte, QC / C. Ivy League
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