September 2019 Volume 3, Issue 3

Chair’s Message Quarterly Contributors

In this edition of the Equestrian Canada (EC) Editorial Content Provided by: Christilot Dressage Quarterly Report, we want to recognize Boylen, Jessie Christie, Jane Fraser, Susan the fantastic results achieved by our Team at the Fraser, Sue Holtby, Esmee Ingham, Joan Pan American Games. Our team of Tina Irwin, Macartney, Christine Peters, Claire Robinson, Lindsay Kellock, Jill Irving, and Naima Moreira Kathryn Robinson, Sheila Skene, Caroline Soble, Laliberté not only won the gold medal but also Victoria Winter secured a spot for Canada at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo! Photos Provided by: Cali Newspaper 1971, Foto4U, Cealy Tetley, Luc van Moorsel, In the individual event our riders again had super Courtsey of the Robinson Family, Courtsey of results with Tina bringing home the silver medal Robert Dover, www.caragrimshaw.com and Naima and Lindsay finishing sixth and seventh respectively. This team made up of both EC and the Dressage Committee would like to experienced and first-time members wowed us thank dressage-news.com for the generous use of all with top performances in a high pressure their photo which was published under the environment, including several personal bests. scribing article in the previous issue of Dressage Thank you to our riders and the large support Quarterly. We apologise for this oversight in the team behind each and every one of them for their June issue. outstanding performances. It will be exciting to watch our riders as they prepare for the 2020 EC Contacts Olympic Games. Contact details, photos and biographies can be We also want to recognize the exciting results found for all EC staff at the following link: produced by our junior and young riders at the www.equestrian.ca/about/contact. A quick Adequan/FEI North American Youth overview of staff contacts for the dressage and Championships. Highlights included a podium technical portfolios are highlighted below: hat trick by top young rider Vanessa Creech- Terauds, a very close silver medal for the Ontario/Quebec Team of Vanessa Creech- Christine Peters, Senior Manager Dressage Terauds, Sophie Dean-Potter, Julie Barrett and Olympic / Paralympic Program, Jade Morrissette in the Young Riders Team [email protected] Competition and a fifth place finish for the

Quebec/Nova Scotia Team of Chloe Vandenplas, Celine Hutchison Majerus, Marilie Roy, and Lily-Rose Lemaire. Program Coordinator – Dressage Congratulations to all of our junior and young [email protected] riders and their support teams. The future looks bright!

Officials, Rules We also continue our spotlight on up-and- Coordinator Technical Development coming young riders with interviews with Esmee Lindsey Blakely Ingham, a very successful young rider from [email protected] British Columbia who is now training in The

Netherlands, and Claire and Kathryn Robinson, Coaching sisters from Alberta who both participated at the Coaching Coordinator North American Youth Championships. Finally, Helen Richardson we are pleased to include a "Looking Back" [email protected] article by Christilot Boylen describing her experiences at the 1971 Pan American Games in Competitions Colombia. Coordinator, Competition Services

Maria-Christina Lepore Submitted by Victoria Winter [email protected]

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Upcoming Clinics combination, Kellock of Toronto, ON and Floratina (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD),

owned by Chloe Gasiorowski. For the second Clinic: EC General & Dressage Stewards Clinic day in a row, Kellock and the 11-year-old Clinician: Linda Miller (EC Senior National Hanoverian mare set a personal best record, Steward, EC Senior Dressage Steward and FEI receiving a score of 73.147% from the Dressage Dressage Steward) Ground Jury, which included FEI 4* Dressage Date: November 9-10, 2019 Judge, Brenda Minor of Acton, ON. Their back- Location: Calgary, AB (additional details to to-back third place finishes in the small tour also come) had them sitting third overall in the individual Registration: Online Registration standings.

Levy Performance Symposium Clinician: Robert Dover (Olympic Medalist) “I am thrilled. Today was by far the best feeling Date: October 25, 2019 I’ve ever had in the ring with Floratina, and I Location: Caledon, ON couldn’t be happier – she brought it,” said Registration: Online Registration Kellock, who took over the ride on Floratina less than a year ago, yet has never scored below 70% Talent ID Clinic in a single class entered. “When you go at the Clinician: Robert Dover (Olympic Medalist) beginning, you want to start strong for your Date: October 26-27, 2019 team.” Location: Blackfalds, AB Registration: Online Registration

Keep up to date with clinic plans through the EC clinics page: www.equestrian.ca/events- results/clinics. Dressage Team Earns Team Gold and Ticket to Tokyo in Lima

After fierce competition for the top of the podium the Canadian Dressage Team took Pan Am gold for the first time in 28 years, and earned Canada’s berth to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games during the Lima 2019 Pan American L to R: Jill Irving, Tina Irwin, Lindsay Kellock, Games in Peru. Naima Moreira Laliberté Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley Team members, Jill Irving of Moncton, NB, Tina Irwin of Stouffville, ON, Lindsay Kellock of Facing that same pressure to help nail down an Toronto, ON, and Naima Moreira Laliberté of early lead was Irwin aboard her long-time Outremont, QC, were neck-and-neck with the partner, Laurencio (Laurentio x Donnerhall), a United States during the first leg of the team 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co-owns with competition, finishing a fraction behind. They her husband and fellow elite dressage athlete, returned to the Team Final with laser focus to Jaimey Irwin. It was mission accomplished when achieve their dual goals of gold medals, and a they became Canada’s top-scoring combination spot for Tokyo 2020 as one of the top two teams for the second day in a row after achieving not already qualified. 73.853%. Their score would prove to lead the small tour rankings right up until the final entry, The Team Final consisted of the Intermediate I Sarah Lockman of the US aboard First Apple. for small tour entries and Grand Prix Special for Having finished second in the small tour both the big tour, and also acted as the second days, Irwin and Laurencio also held second on individual qualifier. Kicking off the Canadian Team’s journey to the podium was small tour

the individual leaderboard, with Lockman in the “Degas is in great form but he was spicy lead. yesterday, and really spicy today, and it cost me some very expensive mistakes,” said Irving, who “I needed to go for more energy today, so I did also rode Degas 12 for Canada at the 2018 FEI that,” said Irwin, who was attending her second World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring, NC. Pan American Games, previously earning team “But, my teammates made up for it. I’m really silver during the 2011 edition in Guadalajara, proud of our team. I think it’s great to be coming MEX. “No risk, no gain – so I had a little bobble in the second day a little bit behind – you don’t in my half-pass, which was a coefficient, but I have to ride defensively, you just put on your ‘A’ don’t regret it because I think you have to go big game, and that’s what they did. It’s been an or go home. You’ve got to go for it, and you’ve amazing Games. The venue is world class, the got to push, so I’m happy I did that today.” footing is great, the stabling is great, and the food is amazing. Honestly, it’s been epic.” Speaking to the feeling of winning team gold, Irwin continued, “It’s a huge accomplishment. Canada’s gold medal was earned on a team total There was a lot of pressure on our team (to score of 440.111. The US took silver with qualify Canada for Tokyo), but we gave it our all 437.791, while the bronze went to Brazil today. We brought our ‘A’ game and we’re very, (408.696). Lima represents the third team gold very proud.” for the Canadian Dressage Team, having also topped the Pan Am Games podium in Havana, Following the first two flights of riders, Canada CUB in 1991 and Cali, COL in 1971. had overtaken the US, and after Moreira Laliberté - just 22 years of age and making her “Coming here, right from the start, there was no major games debut - stayed cool under pressure question that we were here to win gold. That was to earn 71.787%, the gold medal became a the goal and they made it happen.” said Canadian mathematical certainty for Canada. Riding Dressage Team Chef d’Équipe, Christine Peters. Statesman, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding “They rode their heart out for Canada and I’m sired by Sandro Hit and owned by KML S.à.r.l., very proud. What impressed me the most about Moreira Laliberté won both the Grand Prix and this group is how they came together as a team the Grand Prix Special as an individual to sit and supported each other; the four of them have fourth on the overall leaderboard. been like sisters. To have them bring home team gold for Canada for the first time in so many years is incredible.” “The goal today was a really steady and clean ride for the team, and we achieved the plan, so I’m really happy about that,” said Moreira TINA IRWIN RETURNS TO Laliberté, who is the daughter of Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberté. “Once I realized PODIUM FOR INDIVIDUAL that this is a big venue, but really, it’s another SILVER AT LIMA 2019 PAN sandbox that just happens to be here at the AM GAMES Games, then I just focused on riding like I usually do and that took my pressure away.” Irwin made a return trip to the Lima 2019 Irving also contested the big tour, finishing third podium on July 31, adding an individual silver in the Grand Prix Special and contributing a medal to her collection. score of 67.851% to the team aboard Degas 12 (De Niro 6 x Regazzoni), a 17-year-old The pair was making a solid run for gold Hanoverian gelding owned by Irving and performing their Intermediate I Freestyle, right Windhaven Farm. She also took third in the up until Laurencio misinterpreted a movement at Grand Prix during the first day of competition to the very end of their test. stand 11th on the individual leaderboard.

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“I was super happy with my ride until the very they also produce some of their own music. They last centreline, where my horse decided to give a did the theme song for the Canadian show, preview of Tokyo and did a bunch of one- Degrassi with the famous Drake. I tell them tempis,” joked Irwin, explaining that one-tempis which pieces of music I like, then I put the are a movement found at the big tour level, choreography together and they compose a which the duo had been competing in before whole new piece for the freestyle.” making the decision to come back down to the small tour in 2019 with the aim of helping While Irwin has a team silver medal under her Canada secure Tokyo qualification in Lima. belt from the 2011 Pan Am Games in “That was not planned, but other than that he felt Guadalajara, MEX, Lima represents her first great, so what can you do? It cost me some individual medal. marks, I’m sure, but I was really happy with the rest of the Freestyle, he was great.” “It's amazing to get the silver medal. I was obviously thrilled with the team gold, and now to be on the podium individually is fantastic, so I'm thrilled,” she said. “It was definitely my goal, I was coming to win a medal. I was hoping for gold, but that's okay. My horse was amazing through the whole competition. We did our best and they're not machines. At the end of the day, one little mistake can cost you first position, potentially. I'm okay with that, my horse tried his heart out. Now, my plan is to go back to grand prix. We're going to take a little break after Pan Ams and then we'll make a new plan for 2020.”

Tina Irwin & Laurencio Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

Ultimately, Irwin received a score of 77.780%, a close shave off the score of 78.980% earned by individual gold medalist, Sarah Lockman and First Apple. Fellow American, Jennifer Baumert took bronze aboard Handsome with 75.775%.

Grabbing the attention of both the judges and the crowd, Irwin began her freestyle test to music with one of the more challenging movements, the two-tempi changes. And, she never let up on the level of difficulty, performing three-tempi changes on a bending, serpentine line, and navigating a pirouette straight into an extended canter. The intricate choreography, combined with perfectly synced music made for a crowd- pleasing performance from start to finish. Tina Irwin takes individual silver. “The people who designed my freestyle music Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley are really good friends, Wendy Watson and Lewis Manne from Zap Productions in Toronto,” Next in the standings for Canada was Moreira said Irwin of the music, which incorporated a Laliberté, who closed out her major games debut medley of songs, such as Hey Brother by Avicii, in sixth place individually with Statesman. (I’ve Had) the Time of My Life of Dirty The pair were working on a clean and smooth Dancing fame and the much-covered Life is Life, test until the extended canter, where unplanned originally by Opus. “Zap Productions were more exuberance from Statesman created a chain into the film industry and documentaries, but reaction of a few missed movements.

“Through misunderstanding, he took off (in the Colombia 1971: A Look extended canter), and unfortunately that was very, very costly,” explained Moreira Laliberté, Back who took over the ride on Statesman in 2018, competing at the Under 25 level before moving up to grand prix in 2019. “I just didn’t think that at this point in the competition, he’d be feeling so fresh. But, we had a good recovery, and I'm also really pleased with the beginning of our test.”

For the majority of her test, Moreira Laliberté was right on cue with her music, which was an instrumental piece of predominantly strings and piano, custom-created for her and Statesman by French composer, Jacques Trupin. “I sent him a video with a timeline, and from scratch, he wrote everything, recorded it and mastered it. It was his first time doing it for horses, and he did an With 2019 being a Pan Am year, we have amazing job.” attempted to “look back” at some of our previous competitors and successes. This issue, we are pleased to present an article submitted by Rounding out the Canadian individual results Christilot Boylen. Christilot is our “trail-blazer” was Kellock, who finished in seventh place having competed at six Olympic Games and four overall after receiving a score of 73.550% aboard Floratina. Pan Am Games, winning Pan Am gold in 1971, 1975 and 1985.

“I think today, I was finally feeling Flora just a Submitted by Christilot Boylen little bit exhausted,” explained Kellock of the few bobbles in her freestyle performance, which Cali, Colombia in l97l was not exactly regarded was designed by Tamara Williamson of as a safe place. (How little the world really Kurboom and features the music of Irish changes!). It was exactly as I had imagined a composer, Ronan Hardiman. “She got a little South American country – exotically beautiful, opinionated in her changes, but I’m still so happy lush, forest, and distant higher elevations, hot with her. Her performance through this whole and steamy. Games has just been amazing. We’ve had two personal bests here – one percentage point higher This was the trailing end of the military rule in than we normally get.” many South American countries, and the teams in Cali reflected this. I was told to expect the The dressage individual final featured the top fiercest competition from the Chilean Team and 50% of horse-rider combinations from the big that is exactly how it panned out. The Chilean tour and small tour following the team final, Army at that time had built up some top horses which also acted as the second and last and riders, thanks to a number of German individual qualifier. However, in light of the escapees after the war, I am told, and they caveat that a maximum of three athletes per certainly were impressive to watch. I must country were permitted to the individual final, remember to mention that at this time, the Pan the remaining member of the Canadian Dressage Am Dressage competition was at the Grand Prix Team, Irving, was unable to move forward. She level – not Small Tour. closed out her debut multi-sport games with Degas 12 in the team final where she landed The event was held at a beautiful military third in the Grand Prix Special, and finished the compound. The hotel-like housing was very good day sitting 11th in the overall individual and after training in the morning, we tended to standings. spend a few hours enjoying the beautiful pool.

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There were beautifully manicured GRASS rings, owner, Mrs. Rosemary Springer, wanted to sell to ride on, as well as large sand-based rings. him.

Armagnac and I won the individual gold medal, and silver and bronze went to two Chilean officers. On the podium, the legendary Chilean General Yanez was giving the medals. He was not amused - very perfunctually he handed out the medal and turned on his heel, muttered about ‘a woman beating his officers, and what was the world coming to?’ NAYC 2019 Signals Bright Future for Up-and-Coming Canadian Talent

Canada’s rising stars gained invaluable international competition experience at the 2019 Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) presented by Gotham North, picking up a handful of medals in the process.

The maple leaf was represented by 37 athletes from three disciplines at NAYC 2019, starting Gold - Canada / Silver - Colombia with the eventing championship, which took Christilot Boylen, Zoltan Stehlo & Cindy Neale. place during The Event at Rebecca Farm, held Photo Credit: The Cali Newspaper, 1971. July 24-28 in Kalispell, MT. Dressage and jumping followed from July 30-Aug. 4 at Old The whole compound was surrounded by high Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. stone walls – topped with barbwire strands. I was really confronted with the difference in The Young Riders Team Competition featured political systems here in Cali, the contrasts thrillingly close scores, with Team between the military life and the normal Ontario/Quebec ultimately earning the silver Colombian life just outside the high walls was medal in a historic finish on Aug. 1. Vanessa stark. I remember leaving the compound by taxi Creech-Terauds, 19, of Caistor Centre, ON, one morning to explore the “safe” areas of Sophie Dean-Potter, 21, of Caledon, ON, Julie Bogota, and seeing a native Colombian woman, Barrett, 20, of Cobourg, ON, and 20-year-old baby on her hip, cooking something over a small Jade Morrissette of Racine, QC, left it all on the wood fire, her hut made up of 3 or 4 giant palm centreline while the standings shifted fronds – I am not making judgment calls, but continuously throughout the day’s competition. over the years, more and more I realized how PRIVILEDGED the whole sport world is. RIO Ultimately, all three podium teams sat within one was the latest example of this. percentage point of each other – US Region 1 in I had the great fortune to have had a truly good the gold medal position (205.706), Team horse at this time… ARMAGNAC. He was a Ontario/Quebec in silver (205.676), and US medium-sized chestnut Hanoverian gelding with Region 3 in bronze (205.088). big, strong gaits, and a lot of GO due to a fair mix of Trakehner blood as well as Hanoverian Creech-Terauds went on to complete a podium lines. He and I had been able to garner some hat trick with her talented chestnut mare, earning nice placings at Aachen in l970. The trainer was silver in the Individual Competition on Aug. 3 none less than Willi Schultheis, with whom I had (71.029%) and bronze in the Freestyle on Aug. 4 been training for quite a while, and who had (73.490%). Each day, Creech-Terauds was been able to get me Armagnac when his former joined on the podium by back-to-back gold

medalist, US Region 2’s Callie Jones, who Competition on July 31. Through the efforts of scored 72.647% with Don Philippo in the Ariel Boesener, 17, of Canning, NS, Chloe Individual, and 74.710% in Freestyle. Kayla Vandenplas, 17, of Sherrington, QC, Marilie Kadlubek and Perfect Step of US Region 1 Roy, 17, of Outremont, QC, and Lily-Rose rounded out the dominant trio with scores of Lemaire, 15, of Drummondville, QC, they scored 70.353% for Individual bronze and 73.505% for 195.424, less than five points off from the the Freestyle silver medal podium. US Region 4 collected team gold on a final score of 203.182, and US Region 2’s score of 202.636 earned silver. The bronze medalists were US Region 9 on a combined total of 199.637.

“It’s important to get the kids in the team situation, because you never get that experience on your own,” explained David Ziegler, who was Chef d’Équipe of Young Rider Team Ontario/Quebec and both Junior teams for Canada. “It’s easy enough to say you want to go to the Olympics, but it’s nice to have an avenue to get that sort of team experience when you’re looking towards the senior team.”

L to R: Julie Barrett, Jade Morrissette, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, Sophie Dean-Potter Photo Credit: Meg McGuire Photography

“Up until this year, I’ve taken a different horse to the championships every year, but this was my first time taking the same horse,” said Creech- Terauds, who has collected an impressive total of seven medals over five years of NAYC attendance. “Every year it’s a whole new ball game, a new challenge, but this championship is the best week of the year so I always look Vanessa Creech-Terauds and Fleur de Lis L forward to it and push myself. I’m very Photo Credit: Meg McGuire Photography competitive, so that helps me stay motivated, and this year I really wanted to do well with Fleur in Boesener went on to be the leading Junior Young Riders because we had done so well in Canadian in the following two competitions. She Juniors [earning the Freestyle silver medal at rode her 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding, NAYC 2016]. I’m happy to say she exceeded my Winniepuuh (Weltmeyer x Ludendorff), to a expectations. I’m so proud of this mare, that score of 65.588% for 10th in the Individual really keeps me going and I love her so much.” Competition on Aug. 2, and earned a personal best score of 70.375% for fifth in the Freestyle In the Junior division, Team Quebec/Nova Scotia on Aug. 4. earned a respectable fifth place in the Team

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Leslie Steele, who was the Chef d’Équipe for four years. The opportunity to work for Rutten Young Rider Team Alberta/Quebec and the was easily arranged due to her father’s Italian Junior individual, concluded, “I think overall the citizenship, allowing her to obtain a European girls did very well and worked well together, and passport. Ingham had participated in clinics with it ran very smoothly. We had some first-time Rutten since the age of 16 and always learned a riders and they made it into the ceremonies. great deal from the quiet and assertive lessons. They’re all happy, the families and kids have been great to work with, and it’s been fun.”

Spotlight on Youth

We are honoured to have numerous Rising Stars in our midst. This issue of Dressage Quarterly highlights Esmee Ingham – originally from Vancouver, BC, and a medalist at the North American Youth Championships. Esmee is now training in The Netherlands with Bert Rutten.

Ingham competes with Demaire (full sister to gold medalist Sonke Rothenberger’s Cosmo) in Grand Prix. Photo Credit: Foto 4U

“It was a difficult decision to pack all of my belongings and move to Europe, but a chance that I knew I had to take to further my dressage education. Nonetheless, it’s a decision I am grateful for, as I work alongside a fantastic team and under the watchful, educated eye of Bert Rutten,” Ingham explained.

Esmee Ingham Ingham’s daily life in the stable includes feeding, Photo Credit: Luc van Moorsel cleaning stables, putting the horses in the walker,

paddocks and fields, managing the horses’ vet Here is her story. and farrier care, as well as riding.

Esmee Ingham, 27, was born and raised in West Riding roughly eight to 10 horses per day, the Vancouver, BC. Horses have been one of days are consistently full, “In the best way Ingham’s passions since she was a little girl; first possible. There are a variety of horses from beginning with Western Pleasure riding foals up to Grand Prix, gaining valuable alongside her aunt Kristi, jumping with Nancy experience both in the saddle and also in regards Brooks at age seven and finally dressage at the to general horsemanship,” Ingham said. age of 12 with her mentor and coach Wendy

Christoff. Ingham’s dressage career really took “I have been fortunate enough to have the off at the FEI Junior level with her horse support of my family, friends and Blue Heron Norseman. Together they participated in two Farms barn mates since the beginning of my NAYCs, once in the Junior division and once in competition career. These strong networks of Young Rider. people have enabled me to make the most of the

opportunities presented and strive for success. “Earning gold, silver and bronze medals, There is a long list of competitions that I have Norseman was truly a once-in-a-lifetime horse participated in, from local shows, to the that catapulted me into a direction I never California CDI tour, representing Canada in imagined my life would lead,” said Ingham. Kentucky, The Netherlands and even Australia” Following her successes in North America, she continued. Ingham moved to the Dressuurstal Rutten in The

Netherlands where she has trained for the past

Some of her competition highlights to date 2009 include:  Canadian National Reserve Champion 2019 in the FEI Junior Technical and Freestyle divisions.  Officially a grand prix rider, earning 67+% in her first test in Europe. 2008  Earned over 70% in PSG with a seven- year-old mare she has ridden since the  Individual Silver Medal at the BC horse was three. Summer Games.  Team Bronze Medal at the BC Summer 2018 Games.

 Third place in Z1 at the Provincial Championships.

2015

 Rising Stars Youth Dressage: Alumni Champion.

2012

 Member of Second Place Team Canada at the Sydney CDI 3* Derby. Karma, a four-year old mare owned by Wendy 2011 Christoff, competing in the L2 level (equivalent to first level). Photo credit: Foto 4U  Team Silver Medal at NAYC.  Rising Stars Youth Dressage Challenge: The transition from North American Overall Reserve Champion of the entire competitions to the European circuit was not an show. easy feat.  Rising Stars Youth Dressage Challenge: Team Gold Medal. Ingham explains, “You must start  Rising Stars Youth Dressage Challenge: from the bottom; it truly felt as though I was a FEI Freestyle Champion and High beginner learning how to actually ride. Fine- Score. tuning all of your skills, rather than being a  Pacific Regional Championship: passenger on the horse is a difficult lesson. This Reserve Champion in the Small Tour is when I realized the number of hours necessary (PSG and I1). to finesse the true art of dressage (pro tip: the more hours the better, but you can count on the 2010 10,000 hour rule being the “safe zone” to begin on the road to mastery). No matter your  Team Gold Medal at NAYC. successes on home soil, you must make a name for yourself at a local level and work your way  Bronze Freestyle Medal at NAYC. up the ladder. Another difference is the multitude  Fifth place Individual Test at NAYC. of shows. If you want to, you can find a show  Canadian National Champion for the within 30km of yourself every weekend. Just FEI Junior Technical and Freestyle one-day competitions; drive in, ride your test; divisions. collect your marks and leave. Most of the  Dressage Canada “Eight Pin” for competitions on the young horses are held on the receiving nine “8” marks on rider grass fields of small villages – a valuable training position.

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experience to expose them to all sorts of pursue your passions within and outside of the elements.” stable, there is no stopping you from achieving your wildest dreams.” Current competitions for Ingham include Grand Prix and Prix St. Georges, in addition to taking Congratulations Esmee on your achievements the young horses in the lower levels. Karma and thank you for sharing your experiences. We owned by Wendy Christoff is one of Ingham’s wish you all the best as you pursue your dressage young mounts that placed fourth in the Dutch dreams, and hope to see you riding for Canada in Provincial Championships. the near future.

“The experiences I have gained whilst participating in all of these competitions have The Tale of Two Sisters pushed me far out of my comfort zone, with the expected highs and lows associated with by Sue Holtby learning. It has been an incredible journey thus far and I look forward to continuing towards the ultimate goal of riding for Team Canada at International events in the near future,” she said.

Ingham continued, “Horses are incredibly special creatures, and I am so fortunate to be able to work with them every day. Special partnerships are formed through each horse’s unique character, which is incredibly gratifying. I feel as though I could write a trilogy based solely on the special horses I have been blessed with in my life. Each one offers varying lessons and wisdom, which carries throughout all aspects of barn life and “normal” life. And I must be honest, a balanced lifestyle is crucial.”

Claire and Katie Robinson. A career with horses is not without its sacrifices, Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Robinson family Ingham attests.

It is no secret that Rising Stars Youth Dressage is “I am so fortunate to have the unwavering committed to bringing more youth riders into support of my family and friends,” she said. “I dressage. In our ongoing quest to better was able to attend a high school that had a sports understand what motivates youth riders to program geared towards high performance become involved in dressage, we asked Claire athletes, which allowed me to maintain high and Kathryn (Katie) Robinson from Edmonton, quality education, with time and understanding AB to share with us how they became involved from my teachers to focus on my sport. My in the sport. mother spent countless hours driving me to and from the barn as well as competitions. The rest of This sister duo Claire (Young Rider) and Katie my family was – and still is – a huge part of my (Junior) both qualified to compete at 2019 success, and the friends I had in high school are NAYC in New York. still close to me today, which proves again how lucky I truly am. I have always tried to expand As we venture out to many Dressage my horizons, gain skills and have interests competitions across Canada it is clear that in outside of the barn and this is still something I order to attract youth riders, we must create try to maintain. I have my Special Education curiosity about our sport – the inspiration to join Assistant certificate from Capilano University, in will come from committed youth dressage but for now dressage is my main career.” riders like Claire and Katie.

She continued, “Working in the horse business is Food for thought: “Somewhere around this not for the faint of heart but it is incredibly arena is a little kid who wants to be just like you rewarding – always remain true to yourself and

someday. It is an opportunity to inspire them to join in.” At a fairly young age, we were trailing around at shows, “cooling out” my mom’s horses and taking beginner lessons. The first “real horse” was an awesome boy 85% of the time… He was soon replaced by two very awesome ponies.

Because my mom was always at a dressage barn, that meant we always were riding with dressage coaches, attending dressage shows and of course, at least pretending to be “dressage- y”. Let’s be honest, though, when left on our own we would mostly gallop bareback in the hay fields, joust with pool noodles (a sport where being the older sister pays off), ride backwards, and work on switching horses while standing up. All of these activities helped us develop “sticky seats” in the saddle.

Katie and Claire with their coach, Eiren Crawford, at The Robinson sisters have a long history of riding the Vernon Dressage Show 2019. together. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Robinson family. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Robinson family. More than anything, having total fun in the That is an excerpt from their story as told by saddle probably contributed to gaining an Claire. Keep reading for more of their insight. appreciation and interest in dressage. It was And sidenote: If you want to adequately explore always about having fun and learning through how Katie and Claire became involved in doing. We were trying tempis, half-steps and dressage, it might be best to title your extended trot long before we were learning the article: “What Happens When Your Parents Ban “perfect" dressage frame. While it maybe wasn’t You from Jumping.” the most “correct” way to learn, it certainly is the reason we are still riding dressage this avidly We are the offspring of two personal injury today. That’s just the stat, then the perfecting lawyers… Although our mom rides dressage, our becomes fun! dad never even had a pet prior to marrying our mom. He likens riding to “riding on the hood of The other thing that really contributed to our a car” - nothing to hang on to. This type of love of dressage was being saddled with thought is not exactly conducive to encouraging appropriate mounts. Our ponies were not the your children to ride at all! In the end, though, best of the best. They weren’t the fanciest; but he acquiesced but employed a middle-ground they always suited our abilities. They were solution: Dressage! Helped along by the fact SAFE, not too big and not a “training project”. that our mother was riding dressage. We were able to learn a lot, and gain confidence.

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We have also always been lucky enough to work During the summer of 2018, I was preparing with good coaches and have access to lessons myself for an exciting (if not successful) show and clinics. season on a converted top jumping horse who was known for his “shenanigans” in the ring. It Our family owns a boarding and breeding stable, was Rising Stars’ inaugural test run at the The Dressage Studio Inc. Not only did we muck VDRC Dressage and Hack show in Vernon, BC stalls on weekends, but we learned a lot about and with a “why not?” attitude, I signed myself nutrition and equine management. up for our first show. In the past, I had competed aboard my (very stubborn) Haflinger pony in Finally, the riding and horse management have many a “children’s equitation class” offered as always been pursued keeping a balance between part of regular dressage shows. school and riding. Even leading up to our selection for NAYC this year, we have always The comment “we would have placed you higher existed in a “school first” environment at home. for your position, but your pony is not on the bit,” became my mantra. With this haunting Next year I (Claire) will be attending the memory, my expectations were less than stellar University of Alberta in the Faculty of Arts and for our classes on the weekend. When I arrived Katie will be going into Grade 11 of high school. with my bootleg dressage horse and cleared out the warm-up arena (to the horror of the Katie and I intend to continue to pursue our steward), my expectations had sunk even lower. goals for the future with horses, all while not Off we went to halt (jig) at X and debut my future compromising our schooling or family needs. CDI star. Turns out that “uphill tendency” in the Riding competitively is a time commitment, canter transitions is, in fact, a relative term… however, for anyone trying to tell you that you [Honestly, I barely kept my horse in the four can’t achieve both, please refer them to me! walls of the dressage ring.]

We are very grateful for the support of family, Of course, I had ridden enough dressage tests in friends and coaches both directly as we prepared the past to know my test score was going to be for the championships and in our riding journey handed back to me in flames. Imagine my to this point. surprise when I went to the show office to collect my less-than-superb technical score and spied It is wonderful to have stumbled into this that holy grail of all dressage riders: a stunning beautiful sport and to be able to take it to the 70%, right next to my number! It turns out that next level, not only representing Canada, but the mark for the Rising Stars portion of my test proudly representing our home, Alberta. was not only completely separate from the technical score, but it was actually COMPLETELY based on equitation. Rising Stars Equitation Program I’m pretty sure the Rising Stars mission statement does not include: “encourage

underage riders to break helmets and place last The Rising Stars Equitation Program is growing at dressage shows” - but it does include a huge and now offered in numerous shows across the opportunity for kids to compete on a level country. How does one get started in Rising playing field no matter how dressage-y (or not) Stars Equitation? their mount might be.

Here is the experience of Claire Robinson from Rising Stars offered me the opportunity to Edmonton, AB: receive a ribbon and an incredibly detailed

scoresheet outlining the things I managed to get Is it possible to win prizes spending an entire RIGHT in the ring (Ok…which didn’t include training level test intermittently bolting and much on the technical side). It did not matter that bucking? Dressage traditionalists will tell you my horse was above the bit, spooking at plastic no, that’s only for the jumper shows, but the flowers, or that his trot was tense and lacking Rising Stars Equitation program is letting us suspension. have our fun… and get credit for it too.

Of course, at the next show in Vancouver I was

knocked off my throne by a “grade schooler” boy at home. It turned out that instead of channeling Charlotte Dujardin with her receiving holy grace, I had entered a period of OTTB. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like a loss. I trial. had the opportunity to ride amongst a lovely group of talented riders who were friendly, While the lovely Bravo certainly LOOKED the having fun and not so worried about the score in flashy dressage horse part, it turned out he had the ring. We were all rewarded for our efforts been spending the past year playing around in and (importantly) successes. the hunter/jumper ring. With a pat on the back, and a 15 minute ride to get adjusted, we were up The Rising Stars Equitation program has created and in the trailer at 6:30am, headed to a wonderful forum for young riders to compete Thunderbird Show Park. and be recognized in the saddle for their position, elegance and use of the aids with Somehow, between the hair flying loose from my positive scoresheets, excellent camaraderie and hairnet and the rain soaking through my jacket, I the removal of that element of “horse envy” that managed to make it into the ring aboard Bravo. is sometimes present in the technical tests - it’s Could I see where I was going? No. Could I hear all on you. How else would I have been awarded what the judge was calling for? Also no. But I a championship ribbon for my efforts to contain followed the luxurious tail of a Friesian-cross in a training level test happening at the speed of a front of me and somehow managed to maintain 1.45m jump off? my balance on this unfamiliar horse.

Next thing I knew, I had been talked into flying I must have sat up and kept my hands forward BACK to Vancouver after school had started to because as I lined up with the other competitors, use a horse I had never met - or seen - to partake Judge Lilo Fore approached me with the in the year-end ride off at the Pacific Regionals. championship ribbon. My grin was stretching beyond the bounds of my face as she eyed me up I loaded myself onto a plane, completely grumpy and proceeded immediately to list an extensive about the Bio 30-1 exam I had coming up on analysis of my shortcomings. As my heart Monday, still unsure what to expect from the dropped and I managed to squeak out an experience. I spent the entire flight praying affirmative response, she also gave me a pat on “please, give me a horse that goes on the bit.” the leg and assured me with a smile, congratulating me on a great round. Bravo and I wore those ribbons with pride for the championship photos!

Winning the year-end ride off was a definite “feather in my cap” for the rest of the year, and the riding commentary on the equitation sheets have a permanent spot in my notes. However, the real fun of that season was enjoying the successes and companionship of the other riders in the class.

The group class is light and confidence-building alongside the individual classes. They connect youth riders from within the shows and encourage a group experience with showing.

After being invited by Susan Holtby and Wendy Claire Robinson – FEI Young Riders NAYC Christoff to ‘ambassador’ and promote the Photo Credit: Meg Mcguire program in my home province of Alberta, I was more than excited to see almost 10 riders Enter Bravo Z, a gorgeous, yet utterly different participating in Rising Stars this 2019 season in mount from my light, ultra-hot and bronc-ing Edmonton. Many laughs and shared stabling

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contributed to the festivities. weeks in advance, parking is exactly what we had to do. Soon, the horses were loaded, our rig I cannot wait to see how this program will grow was parked, and we had caught our own flight to and help Alberta dressage youth come out and New York! enjoy camaraderie at the shows.

The North American Youth Championships Experience

By Katie Robinson

It seemed like a great idea at the time…

My 17 year old sister was almost ready for the PSG and I had just finished a great 2018 show season at Third level with my horse, Forget-Me- Not (fondly known as “Froggy” around the barn). A huge pile of paperwork later, both my sister and I had sent in our NAYC declarations and were excited to give qualifying a try, myself as a Junior and my sister, Claire, as a Young Rider. Little did we know, the criteria did not seem to take into account the long, harsh Alberta winters and the fact that both of us were high school students in the midst of finals. We had only two shows available to qualify and, as luck would have it, scores were required from both. Suffice to say, the last show wrapped up with qualifying scores for both of us. The next Katie Robinson at NAYC competing in FEI Junior thing I knew, Claire and I were both celebrating division at NAYC. having made the Canadian team (McDonalds Photo Credit: Meg Mcguire McFlurries for all)! We landed in New York a number of hours Late in July, we loaded our horses into the trailer before the FedEx shipment with our equine and drove south across the border. One long day partners. With nothing better to do, we decided of driving later, we pulled into the beautiful to go and check out Old Salem Farm (the venue driveway of Crooks Show Jumping Stables and of our first-ever CDI level competition). After unloaded the horses into clean, bright, only a few initial wrong turns, we made our way comfortable stalls to spend the night somewhere into the driveway, greeted by large bright signs near Seattle. After spending a considerable advertising the “2019 FEI Adequan North amount of time searching for a hotel in American Youth Championships presented by Snohomish, Washington (soon referred to by us Gotham North” (a phrase we got to know very, as “Snoho” ) we settled down for the night. 1:50 very well by the end of the week)! Heart in my a.m. felt a little early but the excitement helped throat, I caught my first glimpse of the us to rouse ourselves. Still in the pitch dark, we property: a large statue of a horse surrounded by returned to Crooks and, phone flashlights in a gorgeous garden of flowers, which we found hand, picked up our horses for the biggest part of out later was, in fact, hand watered every day. As the journey; the flight. we continued further down the driveway the property was more and more spectacular, every 45 minutes away, Sea-Tac airport loomed in last bit of it perfectly manicured and absolutely front of us. It is a busy airport and not gorgeous. necessarily the place you want to park your one- ton dually and attached 34 ft. gooseneck horse Once our horses had landed, I found myself in a trailer. Unfortunately for my mom, who had been flurry of training, acclimatizing and more having pre-emptive parking nightmares for cleaning than I had ever done before.

Each time, though, as I completed my final salute, I let out my breath. Each time, I realized that I had been holding it throughout the entire ride. Before I had even left the competition arena, my score was broadcasted up onto the large screen and my name added to the scoreboard rankings. This prompt scoring made everything so much more exciting than a regular horse show; for the athletes, spectators… everyone.

I was lucky to have my grandparents come to the event. My grandma, who is not usually a

complete dressage connoisseur, was out with her Ribbon presentations – NAYC FEI Junior pen and list of riders writing in the scores of each Photo Credit: Meg Mcguire of the riders and furiously cheering each time a new leader was announced. The scoreboard let Suddenly, the day of the team test had arrived her keep up with what was happening in the ring and with it the start of the show as a whole. and was actually a great educational tool in Before we got to New York I was a little helping spectators understand what the judges disappointed at being an individual and not were looking for in the ring. The spectators were having a team, however as I tacked up for the so much more invested in all of the rides than I’d first ride of the show I felt an odd sense of relief ever seen before! at having a “trial run”. I tried hard to convince myself that there was no pressure as this score Throughout the show, I felt acutely aware that I couldn’t count without a team. am a Canadian. It is a feeling of intense pride that is not evident in day-to-day life at home. Try as I might, my nerves remained on Being able to wear the bright red Canada shirts edge. The tension was high going into the ring to stand out from the dark navy of the Americans and I ended up getting onto my horse about 10 and the green hats of the Mexicans is truly a minutes earlier than I should have, purely out of feeling that I will never forget. panic at not wanting to be late. Unfortunately, I forgot to take into account that it was 100º F with There was such a strong team bond between all 100% humidity and neither Froggy nor I were of the Canadians; the cheering squad in red was prepared for the sudden searing heat. by far the loudest and most enthusiastic of all! The whole Canadian team was very As soon as I turned to go down centreline supportive and inclusive to all of the athletes, however, my fear melted away and my focus jumping and dressage, juniors and young riders, kicked in; I forgot about everything around me. east and west. The only thing that mattered at that point was riding the best test I possibly could with the As a whole, being able to represent the maple horse I had in the ring. leaf at NAYC 2019 is an experience that I will never forget. I almost couldn’t accept that it was Froggy was a complete superstar. Although I’m over when the competition came to a close. pretty sure I left my best horse in the warm-up, she still pulled through and handled everything All of a sudden the only thing I want to do is go like a champion for an almost 65% ride. My back again and again, year after year (I’m not second and third rides were both a lot of fun and sure if my parents will want to hear each time I rode down centreline, it became this!). Taking part in this show was one of the minutely easier. Getting into the ribbons for the best experiences I’ve ever had. It seemed like a Freestyle was a fantastic way to complete those good idea at the time, but looking back on it now three rides! I can say with confidence that it wasn’t just a “good” idea, it was a GREAT one.”

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How Well Do You Know Answers:

Your Dressage Rules 1. Not unless you can prove that you have not been coached by him/her within 30 Every year Rule Change Suggestions are days of the competition. requested from all EC supporters for all 2. This is inappropriate; no official may be disciplines by May 31. The dressage and para- party to discussions about any horse that dressage suggestions are then reviewed by the they are officiating in any capacity. Dressage and Para-Dressage Committees and go 3. After showing the competitor the forward, together with any rule changes that have relevant rule, the steward confers and been suggested throughout the year (whether as a recommends to the judge whether to result of evolving competitive changes, eliminate or not. The judge makes the governance, or new FEI requirements), for final decision. review by the National Rules Committee. 4. Yes. 5. Guest Cards are temporary licences Each September, the proposed rule changes then allowing an official not currently listed go forward for public review. Be sure to go to in the EC Officials Roster for a certain www.canadaequestre.ca/programs-services/rules level required by a competition. Usually this month and review the Proposed 2020 EC Guest Cards are granted to allow an Rule Changes, as your input is vital to ensure the official to co-judge with a higher level rules in effect are fair and assure the welfare of judge. i.e. a Medium judge may be our horses. guest carded to judge with a Senior or FEI judge for FEI classes at a Gold As the competitive season winds down, some of competition. you may be asking yourselves what it takes to 6. To Help, Prevent and to Intervene. They become an EC official or perhaps how certain are there to represent EC but also to decisions are made. work for the competition, competitors, coaches, horses, officials and spectators All EC officials are bound by conflict of interest to help provide fair sport in the best rules to ensure a level playing field for all possible conditions available and competitors. They understand that being an uphold the welfare of the horse. official is a privilege, not a right, and that integrity and impartiality prevails. They are subject to periodic review to ensure their Coast to Coast knowledge and abilities reflect those required by EC. Maritime Clinic Report: Ride-Coach-Judge Better Dressage Tests with For those interested in pursuing an official’s FEI 5* Judge Elizabeth (Lib) McMullen. accreditation, refer to: This two-day interactive clinic was organized by www.equestrian.ca/programs-services/officials Fraser Equestrian Centre and hosted by Coveside or e-mail: [email protected]. Stables in Chester, NS. It was attended by demonstration riders, unmounted riders, coaches, Test your knowledge of the duties of a judge or judges, and prospective judges from all over the steward: Maritimes.

1. If the judge is also my coach, may I ride Format in front of him/her? To get everyone acclimatized, Saturday opened 2. I’d like to let the judge know my horse is with three riders demonstrating movements and for sale, can I do that? paces while McMullen critiqued the movements 3. If a dress or tack rule has been violated, and explained how the rider could improve the who eliminates the competitor? movement, thus raising their mark. 4. May I request a pre-ride tack check? 5. What is a Guest Card? Following this demonstration there were 8-40 6. What is the purpose of a steward? minute test ride sessions each day rising by level from Training through Prix St. Georges.

The format initiated: • Deep learning. For example, in shoulder-in, what is “good bend” as compared to a “neck- in shoulder-in” or a “non-bending leg-yield” ridden as a shoulder-in-like movement? Where did each type of execution land on the marking scale?

• A free exchange of information and feedback between coaches and an internationally- recognized dressage judge.

• Discussions between judges improving their eye and an expert in the field.

• Unmounted riders to analyze and consciously determine the degree of correctness in what was presented to them.

• Discussions on what was needed to move a Each test ride had three components: mark from a 7.5 to an 8; why a movement

earned an 8 rather than a 6. Each session opened with the rider presenting their test while McMullen used a mic to share Although the 16 riders were initially concerned her marks and comments over the sound system, about having their scores announced over a allowing the unmounted participants to see the sound system for all to hear - their fears were movements through the eyes of an FEI judge. unfounded.

After the last halt at X, McMullen moved in front An interactive clinic like this will only work with of the group of unmounted participants to discuss engaged non-riding participants. Our group the test movement-by-movement, describing consisted of riders, competitors, judges, and what she saw and the marks she awarded; coaches who were knowledgeable, engaged and encouraging participation by asking and clearly interested in increasing their knowledge. answering questions. The positive atmosphere was encouraging and

understanding in recognition of the challenges McMullen then took 20 minutes to work with the we all face. rider and their coach to improve a couple of select movements. For our sport to evolve:

The horse and rider rode up the centreline to ride • Riders must be brave enough to embrace the test for a second time. This time McMullen’s change. mic was silent as she scored the test as the • Coaches must recognize the need for unmounted participants put their pens to paper change. testing their eye and knowledge (every • Judges must recognize and reward what is participant having received a package of tests for positive in the pair presented for assessment, this purpose). while encouraging improvement.

At the completion of the test, McMullen flicked Furthermore, it was very evident that the judge her mic on and stepped in front of the group to IS on your side and wants to see you in the best share her marks and comments, and encouraged possible light. The judge is giving you the gift of the group to share their scores and observations.

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impartial insight to help you improve your well as providing officials with valuable performance. judging/officiating experience.

The clinic met its objective of helping the riders, Other News from Nova Scotia: coaches, and judges who attended the clinic understand the marking scale and to understand Ariel Boesener, 17, of Canning, NS, riding the criteria judges use when assessing and Winniepuuh, was the highest-placed Canadian in marking the movements at the different levels. the Dressage Junior Freestyle at NAYC, laying down a personal best score of 70.375% for fifth Many thanks to Elizabeth McMullen who was at place. Ariel qualified for the Junior Freestyle the helm and deserved reviews for the focused when she and Winniepuuh - her 16-year-old and very enjoyable efforts. Competition Hanoverian gelding (Weltmeyer x Ludendorff) - organizers in the Maritime Provinces have been placed 10th in the FEI Junior Individual test with busy organizing a variety of dressage 65.588%. competitions during the year. Canter for the Cure Porter Airlines, Five Fires Equestrian Centre, and 22 dressage competitors are joining forces September 21 & 22, 2019 to raise funds to fight Breast Cancer. Money will be raised through raffles, donations, and pledges collected by each competitor.

For every $25 raised in pledges, riders will receive a ballot to win return flights for two, Halifax to Toronto, during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, from Porter Airlines. The more they raise, the greater their chance to win.

Coaching Awards Maritime Competition Report: High Performance 1 Dressage Coach and Senior Medium Dressage judge, Susan Fraser of Port 2019 will see DRESSAGE PEI Williams, NS, recently received the title of 2018 (https://dressagepei.wixsite.com/dressage- Competitive Coach of the Year. Susan, largely pei/about) hosting three schooling and two EC credited as the catalyst for dressage development Gold/Bronze competitions at the lovely Crapaud in the Atlantic provinces, travels the Maritime Agriplex in 2019. provinces mentoring coaches, working with students, as well as training a group of dedicated NEW BRUNSWICK will host four riders at her own establishment, Fraser Gold/Bronze Competitions, all held at the Equestrian Centre. Princess Louise Park, Sussex. Submitted by Susan and Jane Fraser New Brunswick native, Jill Irving, continues to inspire Maritime riders as she and her Grand Prix mount Degas 12 (De Niro 6 x Regazzoni) British Columbia Dressage Championships contributed to Canada’s gold medal at the Pan The BC Dressage Championships were held Am Games in Lima, with a score of 67.851% August 16 to 18, 2019 at the Southlands Riding and third place finish in the Grand Prix Special. Club. Lots of quality horses and riders and a wonderful competition overall. Congratulations NOVA SCOTIA is hosting three Gold/Bronze to all the athletes for their efforts as well as to the competitions, two in Windsor and one in Salmon organizers for their excellent planning and River. hospitality.

All of these competitions provide excellent Here are some photos of the overall winners in opportunities for the athletes in the Maritimes as their categories.

CONGRATULATIONS to Shelley Lawder and worldwide for his expertise, enthusiasm, and Balancee achieving the overall high score award skillful ability to provide accessible and valuable (77.931%) for the competition. The prize was an advice to riders at every level. e-scooter donated by Domino High Voltage. “I am very excited to be seeing my Canadian friends again during the EC Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium,” said Dover. “My goal is always to have people going home feeling they have learned something new and had a lot of fun, whether as a rider or an auditor. In my heart, though, I truly hope that each person there will have an ‘Aha!’ moment that might actually change their lives on or even off their horse.”

In addition to Dover, the Symposium will offer educational sessions tailored to Canadian dressage enthusiasts at no cost to participants who contributed to the 2019 Dressage Levy. Attendance hours will also count towards EC coaching certification maintenance.

Photo Credit: www.caragrimshaw.com

ROBERT DOVER COMING TO CANADA IN OCTOBER 2019

EC is pleased to announce that the 2019 Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium, offered at no cost to 2019 Dressage Levy contributors, will take place Oct. 25, 2019, at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON.

Register Today!

The 2019 Symposium will feature coaching sessions with four-time Olympic medalist, Robert Dover (USA). His career as an internationally acclaimed athlete, coach, and trainer spans several decades and includes Photo Credit: Courtesy of Robert Dover holding role of Technical Advisor for the Canadian Dressage Team from 2009 to 2011, as Pre-Registration is required for the Dressage well as a lengthy stint as the U.S. Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium. To Technical Advisor and Chef d’Équipe from 2013 register, please visit the online Symposium to 2018. Dover, who will be coaching EC registration portal. Please note that space is National Team Program dressage athletes limited and this event will fill up quickly! alongside the Symposium sessions, is celebrated

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Don’t Miss Your Chance to Ride with Robert Housekeeping Dover Dover’s coaching sessions will feature demo riders for both national and FEI level tests. The Last call for 2020 Dressage Handbook demo rider fee has been subsidized by the 2019 advertisers Dressage Levy and is $175 per horse-and-rider If you are interested in advertising in the 2020 combination, due upon selection. Dressage Handbook please contact Celine Hutchison Majerus at [email protected]

To be considered for selection as a Symposium Dressage Annual Awards demo rider, please e-mail the application form Don’t forget - deadline for submissions is Oct. and a corresponding test performance video to 31. EC Dressage Program Coordinator, Celine Hutchison Majerus, at [email protected]. For complete details visit www.equestrian.ca/sport/dressage/awards Dover will review all video applications and select the demo riders for each level. Suggestions Expect to receive an exciting announcement on That’s it for this issue of Dressage Quarterly. the Symposium headline speaker in early 2019! You will not want to miss this opportunity! Thanks to all the contributors for your input.

Combine your fall plans and attend both the We would like to hear from you - our dressage Dressage Levy Performance Advantage community. If you have suggestions for the next Symposium and the Ingrid Klimke Masterclass issue of Dressage Quarterly, please submit those in the same weekend! ideas to: Christine Peters, Senior Manager Dressage Don’t miss out on three solid days of education! Olympic / Paralympic Program, [email protected]

DRESSAGE TALENT ID Plans are in place for the next issue (scheduled for December). Content under development includes & DEVELOPMENT CLINIC “Dressage for Life”, feedback from our Pam Am WITH ROBERT DOVER stars, and much more.

After headlining the 2019 Dressage Levy We welcome your contributions and photos. Performance Advantage Symposium, American Olympian Robert Dover will travel to Horse In Hand Ranch in Blackfalds, AB, for a two-day dressage clinic held Oct. 26-27, 2019.

Auditors for the Talent ID and Development Clinic have the option of purchasing a weekend pass for $200 or a one-day pass (October 26 or October 27) for $125.

Passes include morning and afternoon refreshments, as well as a light lunch. Auditors are advised to dress for the weather. The auditor registration portal is available here.

Riders from all levels are welcome to apply for one of the demo rider spots at the clinic. Rider applications will be reviewed and selected by Dover. Register Today!