Equestrian Canada (EC) is thrilled to recognize Dressage New Brunswick with the Dressage Volunteer of the Month Award for November.

Twelve years ago, dressage in New Brunswick was facing a decline. Then two things happened that profoundly changed the face of the sport. The tiny, centrally located town of Sussex finished construction of an indoor arena at the Princess Louise Show Park, which provides amenities and stabling for 200 horses. At the same time, Frederictonโ€™s Renee DeGarie, along with her sister Michelle and mother Diane, marshalled a handful of other dressage enthusiasts to rekindle the Dressage New Brunswick (DNB) organization. The new Board of Directors not only sought to support the growth of the sport, but also decided to organize sanctioned competitions at the show park in Sussex.

The first competitions in Sussex were attended by an average of 25 horse/rider combinations, competing mainly at Training and First level. The face of competitive dressage in the province is now unrecognizable compared to those early days. Thanks to the unflagging enthusiasm of the DNB Board and the volunteers who come out year after year to help, dressage has become the strongest and fastest-growing discipline in the Maritimes.

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