For the first time in over 25 years, Equestrian Canada’s National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships have returned to center stage, held as two regional divisions – East and West – over two weekends. The National (West) Championships took place September 26-27 at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, with competitors from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba competing in the disciplines of dressage and para dressage. The National (East) Championships will take place October 3-5 at the Complex Équestre de Bécancour in Bécancour, Quebec.
Riders had to declare their intention to compete with the top eight from each test level and category (Jr, Am, Op) being invited to their respective region’s Championships based on their qualification scores and ranking. Nearly 200 athletes declared and worked at qualifying during the January through September qualification period.
West coast organizer, Ali Buchanan, reflected on the return of the Championships and was pleased with the excitement shown over the qualification period by competitors.
“I think the National Championships concept was very well received this year,” Buchanan remarked. “We had good entries with both East and West having comparable numbers, and people have travelled great distances to attend. Having to qualify to compete at the Championships meant the national competitions throughout the season had very strong entries which is good for show organizers across the country. Next year there will be even more participation.”
To level the playing field between the East and West as much as possible, the judging panels are identical over the back-to-back weekends with judges keeping their same positions from which to observe at each event. Following the upcoming National Championships (East), the Overall Canadian National Champion and Reserve Champion will be named.
“Equestrian Canada is excited to finally bring back the Championships,” commented Christine Peters, Senior Manager of Dressage at Equestrian Canada. “They provide a meaningful goal for athletes at every level, while also supporting Canadian show organizers with strong entries. The Championships create valuable opportunities for riders to progress through the levels, strengthening the pathway for development across the country.
We sincerely thank the entire community for their support, especially the organizing committee, for hosting such a successful event.”
(left) Eiren Crawford and Hendrix, Reserve Champion EC National FEI Prix St Georges Small Tour; (right) Eleonore Elstone and Szecrecy HP, Champion FEI Para Dressage Grade V Intermediate. (Marion Cox Photography)
Equestrian Canada also held the first of two dressage and para dressage Red & White fundraisers at the National (West), which included a robust silent auction and a panel discussion moderated by TV personality Lynn Colliar. The evening raised over $10,000 to help send the teams to next year’s World Championships in Aachen, Germany. The second will be held Friday, October 3 at the National (East).
The following are the National (West) Champion and Reserve Champions (as applicable) for complete results including the concurrent EC Gold show visit HERE.
For schedule and results from the National (East) Championships visit HERE.
Competitor, Horse, Hometown
EC Training Junior
CH: Cassidy Beres, Bespoke TE, Melville, SK
RES: Alice Cassidy, Wonderland, Halbstadt, MB
EC Training Amateur
CH: Tara Stradiotti, Contessa DC, Delta, BC
RES: Mia Sandrelli, Art Deco, Vancouver, BC
EC Training Open
CH: Gloria Schriever, Ernesto S, Langley, BC
EC First Level Junior
CH: Saphyra Langan, Wizard, Quesnel, BC
RES: Simone Moisan, Redina, Spruce Grove, AB
EC First Level Amateur
CH: Justine Rapier, Carhartt, Delta, BC
EC First Level Open
CH: Jennifer Kirschman, Mafia Boy CSF, Turner Valley, AB
EC Second Level Junior
CH: Mia Lambert, Neon Lights, Port McNeill, BC
EC Second Level Amateur
CH: Justine Rapier, Geronimo, Delta, BC
RES: Alana Hilton, Beaujolais WS, Surrey, BC
EC Second Level Open
CH: Eiren Crawford, Diamonte Etoile, Kelowna, BC
RES: Scarlett Solymosi, Samson, Enderby, BC
EC Third Level Junior
CH: Rosalie Richards, Zorro JRB, North Sannich, BC
EC Third Level Amateur
CH: Kathryn Mackintosh, Deleila, Spruce Grove, AB
RES: Jesse Fountain, Numero VII, Kamloops, BC
EC Third Level Open
CH: Andrea Taylor, Sir Francis, Delta, BC
RES: Chelsea Froese, Ladrager, Langley, BC
EC Fourth Level Amateur
CH: Valerie Maks, Fruhlingsstern, Delta, BC
RES: Carlene Norton, Icardo Y, Surrey, BC
EC FEI Children’s
CH: Gwendolyn Joinson, Blind Date At, Brentwood Bay, BC
RES: Estella Gosniak, Impact, Victoria, BC
EC FEI Junior
CH: Imogen Hawes, Knights Cavollo Dolce, North Sannich, BC
RES Alison Campbell-Wright, Slapstick, Victoria, BC
EC FEI Young Rider
CH: Annika Kriening, Francis XI, Winnipeg, MB
RES: Amelie Bak, Roski, Lake Country, BC
FEI Small Tour – Amateur
CH: Gretchen Rohani, GT Barnaby, Victoria, BC
RES: Kristine Hansen, Shadrack, Kamloops, BC
FEI Small Tour – Open
CH Jayne Essig, Hachiko Van De Stokhorst, Nanoose Bay, BC
RES: Eiren Crawford, Hendrix, Kelowna, BC
FEI Medium Tour – Open
CH: Amy Wellburn, Dinamico TG, Langley Township, BC
FEI Big Tour – Open
CH Brittney Simpson, Kartsevo Goldfinch, Saanichton, BC
FEI Para Dressage Grade IV Intermediate
CH: Calla Gross, Lady Lark, Saskatoon, SK
FEI Para Dressage Grade V Intermediate
CH: Eleonore Elstone, Szecrecy HP, Langley, BC
RES: Elexis Dana Ortlieb, Shanghai, Edmonton, AB
FEI Para Dressage Grade III Grand Prix
CH: Kim Scott, Dominion, Sooke, BC
RES: Ella Gieselmann, Hendrix, Vancouver, BC
FEI Para Dressage Grade IV Grand Prix
CH: Laura Hall, Istrano, Ladysmith, BC
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