Canada sits ninth after the opening day of dressage competition at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, with two Canadian combinations still to come when the Grand Prix resumes Wednesday.
Canada’s two opening-day performances were Denielle Gallagher Legriffon riding Come Back de Massa, who finished the day in 23rd, while Camille Carier Bergeron and Finnlanderin went second, producing a strong score to finish the day in 12th place.
Their performances leave Canada ninth in the team standings on 70.559%, tantalizingly close to the United States, which sits just ahead in eighth on 70.606%. Germany’s Frederic Wandres leads the individual standings after scoring 75.963% with Bluetooth OLD, followed by Britain’s Becky Moody (Jagerbomb) on 73.820% and Germany’s Raphael Netz (Great Escape Camelot) on 73.338%.
For both Canadian riders, their first day had a common theme: arriving in Aachen with their horses at their best.
Gallagher Legriffon, who was second reserve for the Paris Olympic Games, was proud of her Championship debut aboard Come Back, scoring 68.074%. While the atmosphere inside the stadium initially caught the Lusitano’s attention, Gallagher-Legriffon was able to quickly get him focused on the job. “He just went right into his zone.”
Denielle Gallagher and Come Back de Massa scored 68.074%. (Cealy Tetley photo)
Most importantly, she felt they had produced their best when it mattered. “It was one of my best tests,” she said. “I felt like I really peaked here, which is what we all wish for.”
Similarly, Carier Bergeron was delighted with the performance from Finn, scoring 70.559%.
“I think we’re peaking at the right moment this year, which is awesome,” she said. “I couldn’t be more happy with how we rode in there and what we did.” She credited careful management and the team surrounding Finn with having the mare ready for Aachen, and two more years of experience together since being on the team at the Paris Olympics has also made a difference.
“I think we’re just stronger,” said Carier Bergeron. “I haven’t been in Grand Prix for as long as many others here, so it just feels like now I’m starting to gain a bit more experience and also confidence with my mare that we can do this and trust that we can do this.”
One of the most satisfying moments came in the one-tempi changes, an element that had previously caused the pair problems in competition.
“It used to be something I was so scared about,” she said. “Lately I’ve been feeling so confident about it. They’re always there, they always work, and they scored well.”
Kasey Perry-Glass and Heartbeat W.P. (Cealy Tetley photo)
The Aachen atmosphere proved to be an asset rather than a distraction for Finn.
“I was looking at her ears the whole time, and she had her ears forward in the extended trot, her ears forward in the changes,” said Carier Bergeron. “She loves being in there. The more vibe, the better.”
The United States also had an eventful opening day. Kasey Perry-Glass, who was called into the team after Jordan LaPlaca and Gold Play withdrew last week, said her priority with Heartbeat W.P. was to produce a confident, consistent test in what was the biggest atmosphere the horse had ever experienced.
“Just a clean, consistent, solid test for him,” she said. “I’m so proud of him. That is the biggest atmosphere he’s been in, and biggest I’ve been in. I’ve been to a couple of Games, but this is just something else.”
The Rio Olympian said her experience at previous championships helped her manage the occasion, although Heartbeat requires a different approach than her former partner Dublet.
“I have to almost center my emotions and keep everything super quiet for him in my own attitude, and he stays there right with me when I do that,” she explained.
The Grand Prix resumes Wednesday with the second half of the field, including Chris von Martels on Londoncrown and Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu on Jaccardo. The top six teams (excluding the US as host nation) will qualify the 2028 LA Olympics and the top 30 individuals will proceed to the Grand Prix Special on Friday. Then the top 18 combinations (including ties) will proceed to the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday evening.
Individual standings here.
Team standings here.
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