And then there were two…

New Brunswick native Denielle Gallagher and Comeback de Massa, photographed in 2023 by Lauren Pitylak

As the Adequan Global Dressage Festival got underway in Wellington, FL today, just two riders represented Canada in the CDI. Denielle Gallagher and Comeback de Massa had a solid ride in the CDI3* Grand Prix, finishing in 4th place with a personal best 67.217, her first Olympic qualifying score of the season.

Tanya Strasser continued her World Cup Final bid with Fidelis Tyme, finishing 9th in the CDI-W Grand Prix on a score of 65.913.

Alexandra Duncan had planned to compete in the CDI3* GP, however her mount Illusionist cut himself in the paddock, forcing her to withdraw. Alex will ride the Grand Prix tomorrow in the national show aboard the 9-year-old Grand Diamond.

​Several other Canadians are testing the waters in the national big tour classes this weekend. Camille Carrier Bergeron and her Pan Am partner Sound of Silence scored 65.326 for 8th place in the GP today, while in the Special Ariana Chia earned a second place 68.777 with Guateque IV.

Olympic hopefuls Jill Irving and Naima Moriera Laliberte will also go down centre line in the FEI Grand Prix tomorrow. Mathilde Blais Tetrault and Fedor will ride the GP in the FEI test of choice, and Vanessa Creech is entered in the Intermediate II with Daniel L.

Canada is also well-represented in tomorrow’s national small tour classes:
Prix St. George
Naima Moreira Laliberte & Jaliska
Belinda Trussell & Diamanten Dave
Belinda Trussell & Feng de Lys
​Justin Ridgewell & Cosmopolitan
​Intermediate 1
Brooke Mancusi & Kalisto Sollenburg

​While national show results do not count towards Olympic qualifying scores, it’s a good opportunity to experience the busy atmosphere of the Global show grounds without the pressure of a CDI.