The first competition of Canada’s largest dressage series showcased homegrown talent over the weekend at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON. A record 249 entries gathered at the world-class facility, the host site of the 2015 Pan American Games, for three days of national and international competition June 16-18..
While the national show offered Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Western dressage divisions, the CDI classes generated the most buzz in this all-important Pan Am Games qualifying season. With just a handful of opportunities to earn qualifying CDI scores on home soil, these international competitions are especially important for Canadian riders who did not compete in the USA during the winter season.
“We were thrilled to be back at the beautiful Caledon Equestrian Park, hosting a record-breaking competition at a world-class facility like this,” said Caledon Dressage president Andrew Woodley. “Caledon Dressage is proud to develop the grassroots of the sport with a top quality National show. With classes from Intro to FEI, Bronze to Gold, and even a Western dressage division, we truly offer something for everyone in a welcoming, competitor-friendly environment. The CDI competition is an invaluable opportunity for Canada’s top riders to shine on the international stage and get feedback from a panel of renowned FEI judges before the upcoming Pan American Games in Santiago.”
The impressive panel of international judges included Marian Cunningham (PER), Sarah Geike (USA), Elizabeth McMullen (CAN), Brenda Minor (CAN), Sandra Andrea Smith (ARG) and Natacha Waddell (BRA).
As Pan Am teams are a mix of Small Tour and Grand Prix competitors, all eyes were on the weekend’s hotly-contested CDI Grand Prix and Small Tour classes. Friday’s CDI3* Grand Prix was a family affair, with Evi Strasser finishing first aboard her own Deja Vu Tyme with 67.891%, and third place aboard Disney Tyme on 66.413%. Rounding out the top three was Evi’s daughter Tanya Strasser Shostak, who scored 66.587% riding Fidelis Tyme.
“I’m so happy and proud of my boys Deja Vu Tyme and Disney Tyme getting personal best scores,” said Strasser, who has represented Canada at the Olympics (1996), World Equestrian Games (2006) and multiple World Cup Finals. “Both of them were amazing to ride; they felt effortless throughout the Grand Prix. To see Tanya riding Fidelis Tyme to a second-place finish and personal best score in just his second CDI was wonderful. It was always my dream to share the winner’s circle in a CDI Grand Prix with my daughter. As you can see, dreams do come true!”
Two-time Canadian Olympian Jacqueline Brooks captured her second consecutive CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle win, dancing her way to a 70.495 with Te Amo QOS. Susanne Dutt-Roth and Hulk Hogan finished second on a 69.94, edging out Evi Strasser and Disney Tyme’s 69.44.
In Sunday’s CDI3* Grand Prix Special, Rakeya Moussa earned her second career CDI victory, scoring 68.149 on Davidoff V.H. Trichelhof. Mathilde Blais Tetrault and Fedor were second with 66.319, while Evi Strasser and Deja Vu Tyme rounded out the top three on a score of 66.191.
In the Small Tour division, Lori Bell captured both the CDI1* PSG and I1 classes with her 15-year gelding Flirt, with scores of 72.451 and 71.814, respectively. “Flirt felt amazing,” she said. “Confident, forward and ready to do his job. This horse will give me the moon if he’s able. The ride was so much fun!” In the final Small Tour class, Beatrice Boucher and the Canadian-bred Summerwood’s Limei were the CDI1* Freestyle winners with an impressive score of 75.992.
Full scores for the national and CDI classes are available at competeeasy.com and on the Compete Easy app.
Caledon Dressage, Canada’s largest dressage show series, includes two CDI3* events and two national shows in 2023:
- June 16-18, CDI3* / National, Caledon Equestrian Park
- July 21-23, CDI3* / National, Angelstone Tournaments
- August 11-13, National, Caledon Equestrian Park
- September 8-10, National, Caledon Equestrian Park
For more information visit caledondressage.ca.
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