Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce the overall 2026 National Dressage and Para Dressage Champions and Reserve Champions following the conclusion of the Eastern and Western Championships. With the results from both divisions brought together, the national titles recognize horse-and-rider partnerships across levels, from developing athletes to experienced international competitors. EC extends its sincere thanks to the organizers, sponsors, officials and volunteers who made both events possible.
A national goal for riders across Canada
Now in their second year since returning in 2025 after a 25-year hiatus, the Championships continue to give Canadian dressage and para dressage athletes a national goal to work toward throughout the season. The Eastern Championships were held in Bécancour, Quebec, October 1–4, and the Western Championships at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, October 9–11.
“Congratulations to all of the horse-and-rider combinations recognized as this year’s National Champions, and to the grooms whose dedication and care are such an important part of every performance,” said James Hood, Equestrian Canada High Performance Director, Chief of Staff and interim Operations Lead. “These achievements also reflect the support of owners, coaches, families and the wider teams behind each partnership.”
Two national titles for Belinda Trussell
Two-time Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, won the overall FEI Medium Tour Open championship with Quincy and the FEI Big Tour Open championship with Diamanten Dave. Trussell represented Canada at the Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games and helped the Canadian dressage team earn silver at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.
“I think it’s wonderful to have the National Championships back,” said Trussell. “We need something to aspire to and goals to work toward. It gives juniors, adult amateurs and professionals a reason to compete throughout the summer, and it helps develop our sport across the country.” She also praised the care taken by the organizers to make qualified riders feel that reaching the Championships was an achievement in itself.
Quincy, a nine-year-old mare owned by Susan Zucker, is in her first year competing at Medium Tour. The pair produced their best Intermediaire II test to date at the Championships. “She has so much talent, but she also has her own opinions,” Trussell said. “It’s important that I listen to her. When I do that and ride her well, she really performs.”
Diamanten Dave, whom Trussell co-owns with Regan White and Ann Sutherland, followed a more gradual path to Grand Prix. “He’s such a sweet horse and he tries so hard,” she said. “He needed a little more time to learn the levels, and I didn’t want to push him too quickly. To have him come out at his first Championships and win is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Eleonore Elstone returns from the World Championships
Experienced Canadian para dressage athlete Eleonore Elstone of Langley, BC, earned the overall Grade V Grand Prix championship with Szecrecy HP. The pair had represented Canada at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, in August, where they competed in the Grade V Grand Prix A and B tests.
“I was excited to compete at Nationals West for the second time since the competition was revived,” Elstone said. “Szecrecy felt well rested after Aachen, and my goal was to improve our performance in the ring. We still had some of the same challenges in the Grand Prix A, but the Grand Prix B was more fluent, relaxed and accurate, and that was reflected in the judges’ comments and scores.”
Elstone also commended the Western organizers for their professionalism in navigating unexpected challenges, and spoke of the sadness shared by competitors following the transport accident involving horses travelling to the event. “There was an air of sadness, compassion, and empathy for the people who lost their horses, and it was lovely that the proceeds of the Red and White fundraiser were donated to the owners of the horses lost.”
A championship dedicated to four horses
The Western Championships were also marked by a tragic transport accident en route to the competition. Three horses were killed and a fourth, known as Flirty, was hospitalized. The equestrian community rallied around those affected, including through a Red & White fundraiser that was redirected from its original high performance fundraising purpose to support those impacted by the accident.
Fourth Level Amateur overall champion Aynsley Foss of Alberta, who won with Jivago, dedicated her title to the four horses. Foss and her travelling group were on the road behind the accident but were unable to stop safely to assist. She emphasized that the horses who never reached the competition had put in the same months of preparation and effort as those who competed.
“They took the same road to get there that we did — the same training, lessons, hard work and all the challenges that come with horses,” Foss said. “I was fortunate to get there and compete, but their achievements and everything they put into getting ready deserve to be recognized, too.”
Foss particularly mentioned Flirty, whom she had watched compete during the season. “Based on watching her go this year and seeing her scores, I really believe Flirty would have been our Canadian champion at First Level,” she said. “I hope everyone involved has the time and support they need to heal.” Over $20,000 was raised in the West, with the donation portal still available for anyone wishing to still contribute.
Looking ahead to 2027
“The National Championships give riders at every level something meaningful to work toward, and bring our dressage and para dressage communities together,” said Jamie-Ann Goodfellow, Coordinator of Dressage and Para Dressage for Equestrian Canada. “Congratulations to all our new Champions and Reserve Champions, and thank you to everyone who helped make the events possible.”
EC looks forward to working with two new host venues in 2027: Caledon Dressage will host the Eastern Region Championships September 17–19, and ADA Alberta Dressage will host the Western Region Championships September 24–26.
“These confirmed hosts reflect Equestrian Canada’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality championship experiences at premier Canadian competition venues. We look forward to working with both organizing committees to continue strengthening the National Championships, creating meaningful competitive opportunities, and bringing our communities together in the spirit of sport for years to come.”
EC National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships Final Results
TRAINING LEVEL JUNIOR
Champion – Morgan Baldwin (ON) & Bring it On
Reserve Champion – Sabina Dobrescu (BC) & Neon Lights
TRAINING LEVEL AMATEUR
Champion – Jesse Fountian (BC) & HaveFaith
Reserve Champion – Sophie Trussell (ON) & Otharin S
TRAINING LEVEL OPEN
Champion – Jessica Hannah (BC) & Mastroianna
Vice-champion – Julie Roy (QC) & Cadenza
FIRST LEVEL JUNIOR
Champion – Rylee Ste Croix (AB) & Simply Ailsa
Reserve Champion – Emily Teskey (BC) & Soleado JRB
FIRST LEVEL AMATEUR
Champion – Elizabeth Plourde (QC) & Igor des 3 ruisseaux
Reserve Champion – Lindsey Roosendaal (ON) & Solei
FIRST LEVEL OPEN
Champion – Beatrice Boucher (QC) & Jolene MTA
Reserve Champion – Beatrice Boucher (QC) & Daneliya HH
SECOND LEVEL JUNIOR
Champion – Sophie Derusha (QC) & Frankie
SECOND LEVEL AMATEUR
Champion – Kim Studzinski (ON) & Supernova
Reserve Champion – Melissa Holder (ON) & Finley
SECOND LEVEL OPEN
Champion – Billie Boylen (ON) & Fuerstenstanz
Reserve Champion – Marcie Doyle (BC) & L’aza
THIRD LEVEL AMATEUR
Champion – Alana Hilton (BC) & Beaujolais WS
Reserve Champion – Carl-William Sévigny (QC) & Alberto de Niro
THIRD LEVEL OPEN
Champion – Pia Virginia Fortmuller (AB) &O’Marin
Reserve Champion – Beatrice Boucher (QC) & Prodigio MVL
FOURTH LEVEL JUNIOR
Champion – Rosalie Richards (BC) & Zorro JRB
FOURTH LEVEL AMATEUR
Champion – Aynsley Foss (AB) & Jivago
FOURTH LEVEL OPEN
Champion – Brooke Mancusi (QC) & Van Vincent
Reserve Champion – Billie Boylen (ON) & Fabretina
FEI CHILDREN
Champion – Isla Grant (ON) & Wonder Woman
Reserve Champion – Estella Gosniak (BC) & Impact
FEI JUNIOR
Champion – Adélia Gauthier (QC) & Fayette DDS
Reserve Champion – Léa Landreville Cloutier (QC) & Juweel of Litchy MFS
FEI YOUNG RIDER
Champion – Alison Campbell-Wright (BC) & Vintage
Reserve Champion – Annika Krieng (MB) &Francis XI
FEI U25
Champion – Brooke Mancusi (QC) & Kalisto Sollenburg
FEI SMALL TOUR AMATEUR
Champion – Valerie Maks (BC) & Fruhlingsstern
Reserve Champion – Juliette C. Barolet (QC) & Freud
FEI SMALL TOUR OPEN
Champion – Tom Dvorak (ON) & Feinrich
Reserve Champion – Pia Virginia Fortmuller (AB) &Fireball
FEI MEDIUM TOUR OPEN
Champion – Belinda Trussell (ON) & Quincy
Reserve Champion – Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (QC) & Viva Vivaldi
FEI BIG TOUR AMATEUR
Champion – Linda Houweling (BC) & Dos Amigos OLD
FEI BIG TOUR OPEN
Champion – Belinda Trussell (ON) & Diamanten Dave
Reserve Champion – Erin Silo (BC) & Jett
PARA DRESSAGE GRADE I GRAND PRIX
Champion – Alexandra Vadnais (QC) & Alaska du Fjord
PARA DRESSAGE GRADE III GRAND PRIX
Champion – Ella Gieselmann (BC) & Hendrix
PARA DRESSAGE GRADE IV INTERMEDIATE
Champion – Crystal Meier (BC) & Zorano
PARA DRESSAGE GRADE IV GRAND PRIX
Champion – Calla Gross (SK) & Lady Lark
Reserve Champion – Wanda Jamieson (ON) & Gered XXII HCI
PARA DRESSAGE GRADE V GRAND PRIX
Champion – Eleonore Elstone (BC) & Szecrecy HP
Reserve Champion – Natasha James (BC) & Pantera
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