Wesley Clover Parks made history the weekend of Sept. 26-28 as it successfully hosted its first FEI eventing competition, Eventing at The Parks CCI2*-S CCI1* presented by Omega Alpha. Athletes from across Canada contested the three phases of eventing: dressage, stadium, and cross-country, over two days of competition under beautiful, sunny skies.
Riders tackled a demanding yet fair cross-country course on Sunday, skillfully designed by FEI Level 3 course designer Jay Hambly, through the picturesque grounds of Wesley Clover Parks. Two-time Canadian Olympian Colleen Loach entered Sunday leading both the CCI2*-S and CCI1* divisions after strong performances in Saturday’s dressage and stadium phases with her mounts Chiaro Z Excalibur and Canada Post.
Brooke Massie (CAN) and Major Chase claimed the win in the CCI2*-S division presented by Apple Saddlery with a final score of 31.8. Entering the cross-country phase in third place, the pair produced a confident clear, picking up just 2 time penalties to move to the top of the leaderboard. Finishing closely behind in second was Colleen Loach (CAN) with Chiaro Z Excalibur, who slipped to runner-up with 3.6 time penalties, ending on 32.2. Rounding out the top three was Kendal Lehari (CAN) aboard Mitchell with a score of 36.3.
Massie, of Saint-Lazare, QC, celebrated the victory aboard Major Chase, an experienced 18-year-old gelding by Irish Parkway Caraway Finn out of Major Look. Reflecting on her win, Massie said, “Major Chase was supposed to retire last year, and he came back out for a little retirement tour. He loves it so much and cross country has always been his favourite; he’s telling me what to do out there. He thinks he’s eight, not 18.”
On competing at Wesley Clover Parks’ inaugural international Eventing competition, she added, “We are so, so lucky to have a venue like this right in our backyard, it’s so important that we keep this stuff going. The cross-country course rode really, really great. They did a great job and the course looks beautiful. We’re going to continue to support it for sure.”
Colleen Loach (CAN) and Canada Post won the CCI1*. (Cealy Tetley photo)
In the CCI1* division presented by Struck Apparel, Colleen Loach (CAN) and Canada Post secured the victory with a final score of 67.0. Despite a refusal at fence 7b and 16 time penalties, the pair held on to their lead from Saturday’s dressage and stadium phases to clinch the win. Brittany Durham (CAN) and Long Play delivered a clear round with 40.4 time penalties to rise from fourth to second, finishing on 88.4, while Victoria Downey (CAN) and ESE Dazzling Prose rounded out the podium in third with a score of 96.2 after incurring two refusals and 10.8 time penalties.
The victory adds to Loach’s decorated résumé as a two-time Olympian (2016, 2021) and a member of Canada’s Pan American Games medal- winning teams, including gold in 2023. A lifelong equestrian, she now operates Colleen Loach Equestrian from Maple Hill Farm in Dunham, QC. Her winning mount, Canada Post, is a seven-year-old gelding by Jaguar Mail, owned by Peter Barry.
Eastern Canadian Eventing Championships
Running alongside the FEI divisions, the Eastern Canadian Eventing Championships crowned champions from across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. Wesley Clover Parks congratulates the following riders on their championship titles:
Championship EV110 presented by HealthiStraw: Kimberley Bégin and Fuego’s Fabulous
Championship EV105 presented by Topline Trailers & Equipment Sales: Guillaume Wilbois and Karioca
Championship EV100 presented by Cooper Equipment Rentals: Stella McConnery and Cash Money (Junior), Kendal Lehari and Iron Lorde (Open), Emma Sasu and Vanquish (Senior)
Championship EV90 presented by Vision Saddlery: Chloe Elliott and Fancy Nancy (Junior), Shalea Shackleton and Normandy (Open), Roxanne Valois and Nintendo (Senior)
Championship EV85 presented by Purina Equine Canada: Holly Klotz and Second Chance (Junior), Michelle Stableford and Make My Day (Open/Senior)
Championship EV75 presented by Sunkist Media: Imogen Dalgleish and Just Joey (Junior), Marnie Bennett and FF Fortuna (Open/Senior)
Championship EV60 presented by Greenhawk Equestrian: Bridget Meisner and Mellow Yellow (Junior), Jennylee Vink and Flyin on Down There (Open/Senior)
Laframboise Family Legacy Awards
The weekend also celebrated the Laframboise Family Legacy Awards, which recognize excellence and lifetime contributions to Canadian Eventing. The Outstanding Adult Lifetime Contribution to Eventing in Canada award was presented posthumously to Trish and Peter Oswald, honoring their decades of dedication through founding Dunelm Farm, supporting grassroots development, volunteering extensively, contributing to major competitions, and mentoring generations of young riders. The Overall High Point Young Rider Award was presented to Emma Sasu, while the Overall High Point Youth U18 Award was claimed by Chloe Elliott who trains with Teddie Laframboise.
With this debut, Wesley Clover Parks becomes the only venue in Canada to host international competition across all three Olympic equestrian disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and eventing, this year. The inaugural Eventing at The Parks highlights the venue’s role as a premier hub for international equestrian sport and recognizes the tremendous support of volunteers and the local equestrian community that made the event possible.
Full results are available HERE.
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