For the first time in over 25 years, the Equestrian Canada (EC) Dressage and Para Dressage Annual National Awards were presented as part of the Canadian National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships. The recipients were recognized during Red & White celebration evenings recently, at the respective West and East Coast Canadian Dressage and Para Dressage National Championships.
These national awards are presented to the top international performers in our sport, and to those who continue to go above and beyond for our Dressage and Para Dressage community in Canada.
Dressage Awards
Dressage Athlete of the Year – Camille Carier Bergeron
A member of Team Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Camille is currently our highest ranked Canadian athlete on the FEI World Rankings (at time of selection.) Her top score in 2025 was a 75.325% achieved in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Dressage Horse of the Year – Finnländerin
Also a member of Team Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Finnländerin is currently Canada’s highest ranked horse on FEI World Rankings (at time of selection.) Her seasonal highlight was the achievement of 75.325% in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Orion Cup U25 Award, presented by Camille Carier Bergeron on behalf of Pia Fortmüller to Brooke Mancusi. (Sandra Lachèvre Photographe)
Dressage Owners of the Year – Gilles Bergeron and Camille Carier Bergeron
Recognized for the outstanding achievements of Finnländerin throughout the 2025 season.
Dressage Volunteer of the Year – Andrew Woodley
President and Show Organizer of Caledon Dressage. Andrew’s commitment and dedication to the sport throughout the years have provided world class competitions on home soil for both our developing and our top international athletes.
Dressage Coach of the Year – Cindy Ishoy
Recipient of EC’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, Cindy continues her unwavering commitment to horses, sport, our dressage community and the industry. Cindy remains an active coach and busy clinician, working with both development and high performance athletes at home in Canada and abroad.
Orion Cup U25 Award – Brooke Mancusi
For the second consecutive year, Brooke Mancusi is the recipient of the Orion Cup Award, created in memory of one of Canada’s most well-known equine dressage stars – Orion. Presented to a promising dressage athlete in the process of transitioning from the Young Rider level to Grand Prix, the Orion Cup Award is open to Canadian dressage riders aged 16 to 25. The award is given to the rider with the highest average of three scores from the U25 Grand Prix level.
Para-Dressage Rider of the Year Roberta Sheffield and Horse of the Year Nardando. (Kevin Sparrow photo)
Para Dressage Awards
Athlete of the Year – Roberta Sheffield
Roberta Sheffield is currently the highest-ranked Canadian athlete on the FEI Para Dressage World Rankings and has been the most active Canadian competitor on the international para dressage circuit this season. Sheffield has her sights set firmly on a podium finish at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Horse of the Year – Nardando
Nardando holds the title of the top-ranked Canadian horse on the FEI Para Dressage World Rankings and with partner Roberta Sheffield made his successful debut in the international ring in 2025 with a season high score of 72.178%
Owner of the Year – Jolanda Brugman
Recognized for her outstanding contribution as the owner of Nardando, Jolanda Brugman has played a key role in supporting Canada’s success on the international para dressage stage.
(Left) Dressage Volunteer of the Year Andrew Woodley and Pride D. (Sean Antonello photo); (right) Para-dressage Volunteer of the Year Birgit Valkenborg with EC president Lisa Robertson. (Marion Cox Photography)
Volunteer of the Year – Birgit Valkenborg
Recognized for her tireless dedication and invaluable contributions to the review and redesign of the 2026 Dressage and Para Dressage rulebook.
EC Program Coordinator Dressage and Para Dressage, Jamie-Ann Goodfellow, and Coach of the Year Chelsea Van Lierde. (Sandra Lachèvre Photographe)
Coach of the Year – Chelsea Van Lierde
Newly certified as an HP1 Coach, Chelsea Van Lierde has demonstrated outstanding dedication to athlete development. She has supported two para-dressage athletes in their preparation for the Ottawa Dressage Festival and went above and beyond by generously providing a borrowed horse to a Talent ID athlete for the event.
Equestrian Canada extends its heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. Your achievements are a testament to your dedication, passion, and excellence within the equestrian community. We celebrate your success and look forward to your continued growth, accomplishments, and fulfillment in the years to come.
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