On behalf of the Brosda family, Equestrian Canada (EC) is honoured to facilitate support for the Élisabeth Brosda Memorial Fund through the Horsepower Foundation – a fundraising program created by EC, in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Foundation, to inspire and support Canadians to embrace lifelong participation in equestrian activities. The 2023 Brosda Olympic Bursary is awarded to Pia Fortmüller of Foothills, AB.

Fortmüller is awarded the Brosda Olympic Bursary for the first time, speaks to her dedication and ability to make a future mark for Canada on the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) stage riding Frieda (Fuerstenball Old x Rouletto), an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare she co-owns with her partner Lars Busch. She also co-owns Kartsevo Goldfinch (Jazz x Lingh), a Dutch Warmblood gelding, with her mother Dagmar Fortmüller.

Pia and Frieda. (Terri Miller Photography)

The 36-year-old has spent the majority of her life dedicated to horses; in 2012, she was named a team reserve, with her late horse Orion, for the London Olympics and this inspired her to compete in the games. Fortmüller and her two horses, who is coached by three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 2008) Heike Kemmer, started the 2022 season with two Grand Prix tests over 70% at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL. She would finish on the podium seven times last year, including concluding the season in Thermal, CA, with two victories.

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