The Para Dressage World Championships wrapped up Sunday morning with Musical Freestyles, with two Canadian representatives: Roberta Sheffield with Nardando, and Jody Schloss with El Colorado. Sheffield competes in Grade II, and Schloss in Grades I. Both finished in fifth place in their respective classes.
Sheffield of Lincolnshire, UK, and Nardando scored a total of 71.060% in the Grade II Para Grand Prix Freestyle Individual Final Allianz-Prize. Nardando is an eight-year-old, bay KWPN gelding by Zardando, owned and bred by Jolanda Brugman.
“We thought we might be better suited to the jumper ring when we were preparing to go into the ring!” laughed Sheffield. “He settled down and Nardando did a really solid test. We didn’t have the the easiest warm-up this morning, he felt a little bit tired. Because everyone is packing up and many are already leaving, it was a real test of bringing everyone together and bringing the horse ‘to a boil’ at the right time. I’m very pleased with Nardando, his trot work felt fantastic. His walk is getting better and stronger. He did all the required movements nicely, and he put in a clean, accurate Freestyle. I am very proud of him.”
Roberta Sheffield and Nardando. (Cealy Tetley photo)
In the Grade I Championships, Jody Schloss (Toronto, ON) and her colourful KWPN gelding El Colorado also finished in fifth place, on a score of 73.580%. A 17-year-old gelding by San Remo, El Colorado, was bred by Heemskerk.
Following her Freestyle, Schloss commented: “We have improved a lot this week and over the past year. In the summer of 2025 Denny was not feeling himself, and (groom) Karis van Essen discovered he had an ulcer. He was having a hard time. Now we have much more of a partnership and everyone is commenting on how much we have improved since they saw us in the lead-up to Paris and afterward.
“Denny loves this Freestyle music, he really moves with the rhythm.” While their overall score of 73.586% is not a personal best at a ‘normal’ show, said Schloss, it is a PB at international shows… by “a LOT!” When asked what’s next for the pair, it came as no surprise that the immediate answer was “To start training for LA!”
Team Technical Advisor Clive Milkins was understandably proud, commenting: “What a day for Canadian para dressage. Two fifth places for the first time ever, with both tests scoring over 70% and a PB of over 73% for Jody’s. This team has evolved cementing friendships and proving top placing can be obtained by hard work and determination. It’s been an honour and a privilege to support these riders, grooms and horses in their endeavours. We must give special thanks to Own the Podium and the Canadian Paralympic Committee for their ongoing support. The best is yet to come!
The Aachen 2026 FEI World Championships came to an end Sunday afternoon, with the final World Champions being crowned in the para dressage, four-in-hand driving and show jumping arenas. Congratulations to everyone who is bringing home a medal, to those countries competing in the World Championships for the first time, and everyone in between. Thank you to Aachen for having us! This experience will be hard to beat.
For those following us on social media, we will continue our “meet the team” feature videos until we have them all posted! Thank you for everyone who has been so incredibly supportive of Team Canada, whether on social media with messages and comments; or through fundraising and donation initiatives like the $500 Clubs, our Red & White events, direct donations, partnerships/sponsorships and so much more. We could not do it without you!
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