Following two thrilling back-to-back weeks of competition, Equestrian Canada (EC) is proud to announce the official overall results of the 2025 Canadian National Championships in Dressage and Para Dressage. After tallying points and ratifying standings, EC is delighted to celebrate the newly crowned Canadian National Champions and Reserve Champions.
The National (West) Championships took place September 26–27 at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, bringing together top athletes from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Just one week later, the National (East) Championships unfolded from October 3–5 at the Complexe Équestre de Bécancour in Quebec, where riders from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland showcased their skill and dedication.
Returning after a 25-year hiatus, the Championships reignited a spirit of national unity and excellence. EC Senior Dressage Judge and President of the Ground Jury for both Championships, Birgit Valkenborg, along with fellow judge Joanne Bouwhuis, captured the atmosphere perfectly, describing it as “an inspiring celebration of talent, perseverance, and community within Canadian Dressage.”
“An inspiring celebration of talent, perseverance, and community within Canadian Dressage.”
“We would like to thank the dressage community and all the riders who supported and embraced the vision of the 2025 Championships,” they remarked. “The atmosphere at both venues was vibrant, positive and festive. The energy and spirit on both sides of our amazing country made this year’s Championships a truly special and unifying experience for all.
“Alistair Buchanan, his staff and the wonderful volunteers in the west, as well as Carine Blaquiere and Nathalie Desrosiers and their volunteers in the east, were committed to creating equal opportunities each in their own distinct way at two unique and wonderful venues.”
“To see dressage and para dressage athletes from across the country come together with such passion and pride after so many years was truly special,” said Christine Peters, Senior Manager of Dressage at Equestrian Canada. “This milestone marks not only a return, but a new era for the sport in Canada. One built on collaboration, accessibility, and the pursuit of excellence.”
Sixteen-year-old Olivera Donskov (Ottawa, ON) competed at the Championships in Becancour, earning the overall Champion title in the Second Level – Open division with her 10-year-old mare Contessa the Red (Tess). Donskov, who rides at Lower Saxony Farms in Cumberland, is coached by her mother Melissa. The Championships were a family affair, with dad, brother and grandparents all making the trip to Quebec.
From their first time participating in a formal horse inspection, to riding in a competition with “such a big atmosphere,” Donskov made the most of the opportunity ahead of their FEI Juniors level debut next summer.
“It felt surreal qualifying for my first championships,” she remarked. “I was quite nervous going into the ring both days, but I told myself I deserved to be there and to just show off what Tess can do. I was very happy with our consistency throughout the weekend. We rode clean tests with good quality in the gaits and frame.”
Grade IV Intermediate Champion, Calla Gross (Saskatoon, SK) and her partner Lady Lark (also called Tess!), train with Lois Girard out of Rycor Equestrian Centre in Edmonton, AB. They traveled from Edmonton to Langley for the Championships (West). While Gross has been competing in para dressage for the past five years, this was their first season competing together, and Tess’s first full year of showing – so qualifying for the Championships was a big accomplishment for the new partnership. For Gross, the weekend gave them the opportunity to experience a new venue, bond with fellow Alberta riders and most importantly, meet fellow para dressage riders she had not met before.
“(Tess) is a very smart mare,” explained Gross. “We have tried to be very careful with her development this year. Every time we go somewhere new, it’s a learning experience and we were able to get a lot more exposure this year. Thunderbird was the perfect venue to continue that and they put on a wonderful National Championship. It was Tess’s first time doing a horse inspection, she really has taken everything in stride. She has completely surpassed my expectations for her first competition year. Thank you to Equestrian Canada as well as the Alberta Dressage Association for making this all possible.”
With the successful revival of the Canadian National Championships, EC looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to elevate the standard of dressage and para dressage across Canada.
Overall National Champions and Reserve Champion Dressage & Para Dressage 2025
Training Level – Junior
CH: Isla Grant & Wonder Woman, Ottawa, ON
RES: Elisabeth Campeau & Voila Voltaire, Mirabel, QC
Training Level – Amateur
CH: Tara Stradiotti & Contessa DC, Delta, BC
RES: Léa Riopel & Fleur d’Iris, Blainville, QC
Training Level – Open
CH: Gloria Schriever & Ernesto S, Langley, BC
RES: Anna Swackhammer & Perfexxion, Rockwood, BC
First Level – Junior
CH: Saphyra Langan & Wizard, Quesnel, BC
RES: Simone Moisan & Redena, Spruce Grove, AB
First Level – Amateur
CH: Courtney Vriens & Saritzia, Drayton, ON
RES: Justine Rapier & Carhartt, Delta, BC
First Level – Open
CH: Maya Markowski & Dance with the Devil, Listowel, ON
RES: Eve Morency & Manhattan, Saint Bruno, QC
Second Level – Junior
CH: Olivera Donskov & Contessa the Red, Ottawa, ON
RES: Mia Lambert & Neon Lights, Port McNeill, BC
Second Level – Amateur
CH: Justine Rapier & Geronimo, Delta, BC
RES: Carl-William Sévigny & Alberto de Niro, Eastman, QC
Second Level – Open
CH: Eiren Crawford & Diamonte Etoile, Kelowna, BC
RES: Scarlett Solymosi & Samson, Enderby, BC
Third Level – Junior
CH: Rosalie Richards & Zorro JRB, North Saanich, BC
Third Level – Amateur
CH: Kathryn Mackintosh & Deleila, Spruce Grove, AB
RES: Jesse Fountain & Numero VII, Kamloops, BC
Third Level – Open
CH: Andrea Taylor & Sir Francis, Delta, BC
RES: Chelsea Froese & Ladrager, Langley, BC
Fourth Level – Amateur
CH: Valerie Maks & Frühlingsstern, Delta, BC
RES: Carlene Norton & Icardo Y, Surrey, BC
Fourth Level – Open
CH: Emmanuelle Lord & Milo B, Pakenham, ON
RES: Justine Dilly & Iaccob d’Astra, Sherbrooke, QC
FEI – Young Rider
CH: Anna Swackhammer & Fabienna GV, Rockwood, ON
RES: Annika Kriening & Francis XI, Winnipeg, MB
FEI – Children’s
CH: Annabelle Gauthier & Northwind Marrakesh, Saint Charles Borromée, QC
RES: Gwendolyn Joinson & Blind Date AT, Brentwood Bay, BC
FEI – Junior
CH: Imogen Hawes & Knights Cavollo Dolce, North Saanich, BC
RES: Alison Campbell-Wright & Slapstick, Victoria, BC
FEI – U25
CH: Brooke Mancusi & Dejohn Ymas, Chambly, BC
FEI Small Tour – Amateur
CH: Darlene Mergl-Moore & Rubina KG, Port Colborne, ON
RES: Vera Rubisova & Rockstar, Toronto, ON
FEI Small Tour – Open
CH: Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu & Furst Foundation, Saint Bruno, QC
RES: Camille Carier Bergeron & MSJ Furst Zonik, Laval, QC
FEI Medium Tour – Open
CH: James Irwin & Flirtfaktor S, Stouffville ,ON
RES: Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu & Harmonium, Saint Bruno, QC
FEI Big Tour – Open
CH: Brittney Simpson & Kartsevo Goldfinch, Saanichton, BC
PARA DRESSAGE
Grade IV Intermediate
CH: Calla Gross & Lady Lark, Saskatoon, SK
Grade V Intermediate
CH: Eleonore Elstone & Szecrecy HP, Langley, BC
RES: Elexis Dana Ortlieb & Shanghai, Edmonton, AB
Grade I Grand Prix
CH: Alexandra Vadnais & Alaska du Fjord, Laval, QC
Grade III Grand Prix
CH: Kim Scott & Dominion, Sooke, BC
RES: Ella Gieselmann & Hendrix, Vancouver, BC
Grade IV Grand Prix
CH: Laura Hall & Istrano, Ladysmith, BC
RES: Wanda Jamieson & Gerard XXII HCI, Merrickville, ON
Grade V Grand Prix
CH: Natasha James & Pantera, Nanaimo, BC
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