Ontario’s Diane Creech, who rode Devon L in the Grand Prix at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI, kept a smile on her face and a positive attitude throughout the weekend. Thanks to her shining example of good sportsmanship, Creech was awarded the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award by Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian, and Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl, while at the show.

“I think the secret to being a good sport is to be true to yourself and to your horse,” Creech said. “You need to make sure your horse is happy and remember that things can’t always go your way. You also need to learn from your mistakes, but, most importantly, enjoy the journey. You also need to remember to connect with the people around you because you can’t do it alone.”

Despite a few baubles in the Grand Prix class, Creech enjoyed her journey with Devon L during the show. “He is an 11-year-old Hanoverian owned by Leatherdale Farms in Minnesota,” Creech said. “He tends to get a little excited in his environment but he is growing up and was a very good boy this weekend.”

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