 With the horse inspection scheduled this afternoon, excitement’s in the air as the CDIO3* Nations Cup gets underway at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. For the first time, the event will be contested at Grand Prix only, instead of the combined Small Tour / Grand Prix format used for the past decade.
Germany, Sweden, and the USA are each fielding full 4-person teams, while Canada’s three-person squad won’t have the luxury of a drop score. Here is the starting lineup for tomorrow’s first day of competition: CANADA Mathilde Blais Tetreault/Fedor, 14-year-old KWPN gelding Denielle Gallagher/Come Back de Massa, 12-year-old Lusitano gelding Rakeya Moussa/Davidoff V.h. Trichelhof, 16-year-old KWPN gelding GERMANY Anna-Christina Abbelen/Sam Donnerhall, 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding Felicitas Hendricks/Drombusch OLD, 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding Michael Klimke/Domino, 12-year-old Westfalen mare Frederic Wandres/Total Recall, 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding SWEDEN Caroline Darcourt/Lord Django, 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Christina Devine/Slaebaekgaard’s Santino, 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Karin Persson/Giuliano B, 13-year-old KWPN gelding Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén/Devanto, 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding USA Jan Ebeling/Jubi’s Tenacity, 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Kevin Kohmann/Duenensee, 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding Erin Nichols/Elian Royale, 15-year-old KWPN gelding Jennifer Williams/Joppe K, 10-year-old KWPN gelding AUSTRALIA (INDIVIDUAL) Kate Kyros/Chemistry, 12-year-old KWPN stallion Live scoring will be available at Equestrian Hub, while live stream video from the CDI ring is available on the Global Dressage festival website.
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 Submitted photo The following statement was posted on social media by Evi and Tanya Strasser, and is shared here with permission.
Joint Statement of Evi Strasser, Tanya Strasser, and Good Tyme Stables Recently, an unsupported allegation was received by Equestrian Canada from a past employee of Good Tyme Stables, who had been previously terminated from employment several years ago for her unprofessional and improper conduct. Since 2018, that former employee, who claims to be a competitor of ours, has engaged in a campaign of libel and slander against us, requiring us to send two cease and desist letters to that person in 2020 and 2023. Unfortunately, this person has now decided to escalate her attacks upon us, by making a complaint to Equestrian Canada for allegations arising In 2017. We strongly deny the allegations by this disgruntled ex-employee. We are defending this matter vigorously, through our legal counsel. As our friends and equestrian community members know, defending such allegations is a difficult and sometimes lengthy process. We appreciate the kind words of support we have received, and continue to receive, as we work through this difficult time.  Equestrian Canada (EC) provided a statement yesterday regarding its provisional suspension of dressage athletes Evi Strasser and Tanya Strasser Shostak. The statement comes from Melanie McLearon, EC’s Director of Marketing & Communications.
“All allegations of misconduct are received through EC's third-party complaints process. If EC receives a report from our Independent Third Party (ITP) Complaints Manager regarding a complaint they have received that is serious in nature, the respondents are provisionally suspended. To protect the integrity of the investigation, EC is not provided further details until the investigation is complete and a decision is rendered. We confirm that pursuant to section 17 of EC's Discipline, Complaints & Appeals Policy, EC has provisionally suspended respondents Evi Strasser and Tanya Strasser-Shostak effective February 17, 2024 from all EC-related business, activities, and events pending the completion of an Investigation. According to section 19, the respondents have the right to request the provisional measures be modified or lifted. Sanctions are provided on our public website. All EC sport license holders that are suspended for misconduct appear on the 'other not in good standing' list found here: https://www.equestrian.ca/about/safe-sport/disciplinary-sanctions EC asks our community and the public to support the third-party investigative process and allow it to do its job in coming to a fair and expeditious resolution for all parties involved. Anyone that has witnessed or has reasonable grounds to believe that a human or horse is suffering or has suffered abuse in our sport, is obligated to report it and we encourage them to report their concerns here: https://www.equestrian.ca/about/safe-sport/submit-a-complaintSubmit” McLearon also addressed questions about why EC can take action now when welfare allegations are made, but could not in 2021 when a report of this alleged misconduct was apparently made. Though not permitted to speak about an open case, she noted that EC’s new Horse Welfare Code of Conduct has only been in place since 2022. “The Horse Welfare Code of Conduct that was implemented in 2022 was not previously part of the Discipline, Complaints and Appeals Process, which it became once the new code was approved. It is my understanding that horse welfare concerns prior to that time were referred to the SPCA as EC did not have a mechanism for active equines with a relationship to EC or a sport licence holder.” Please see the code here. It’s important to note at this stage these are allegations only. The suspensions are provisional pending investigation, which means the claims of mistreatment have not yet been fully investigated, nor has any wrongdoing on the Strassers’ part been established.  Lindsay Kellock Duckworth celebrates her Grand Prix win with her husband and daughter, Drew and Madison Duckworth. (Submitted photo) With no Canadian entries in this week’s CDI at the World Equestrian Centre Ocala, we’re keeping an eye on national show results from HITS Del Mar in California and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Florida. There were some great performances by Canada’s FEI Juniors and Young Riders, with wins today by Kiara Williams-Brown, Annika Kriening, and Alison Campbell Wright. But with all eyes currently on Canada’s Olympic hopefuls, the most notable victory of the day came from Lindsay Kellock Duckworth. Lindsay and Tu le Merite, Lisa Apa’s 2012 Hanoverian gelding by Totilas, bested an impressive field of competitors in today’s national Grand Prix class at Global with 71.196%. “I’m so thrilled,” said Lindsay. “It was our second Grand Prix together and his third ever Grand Prix. He felt amazing in the piaffe and passage. This horse has shown a total of six times in his entire career and he is unflappable. His focus is me and the job he is in there to do and I feel so lucky to be his rider.” No firm date for the pair’s CDI debut yet but expect it to be in the near future. Lindsay and her coach Ashley Holzer will decide when the right time is to enter the international ring and begin the quest for Olympic qualifying scores.  Lindsay schooling Tu le Merite at her home base Team Enterprise Farm. (Submitted photo)  Canadian Dressage News has received confirmation that Evi and Tanya Strasser have been provisionally suspended by Equestrian Canada, due to an animal welfare complaint by a former employee. The provisional suspension is due to the seriousness of the allegations, however no final determination in the matter has been made. Per EC regulations, the mother-daughter pair can seek a review of the suspension.
We have reached out to the Strassers, the complainant, and Equestrian Canada for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available. UPDATE FEBRUARY 18 Statement from Equestrian Canada All allegations of misconduct are received through EC's third-party complaints process. If EC receives a report from our Independent Third Party (ITP) Complaints Manager regarding a complaint they have received that is serious in nature, the respondents are provisionally suspended. To protect the integrity of the investigation, EC is not provided further details until the investigation is complete and a decision is rendered. We confirm that pursuant to section 17 of EC's Discipline, Complaints & Appeals Policy, EC has provisionally suspended respondents Evi Strasser and Tanya Strasser-Shostak effective February 17, 2024 from all EC-related business, activities, and events pending the completion of an Investigation. According to section 19, the respondents have the right to request the provisional measures be modified or lifted. Sanctions are provided on our public website. All EC sport license holders that are suspended for misconduct appear on the 'other not in good standing' list found here. EC asks our community and the public to support the third-party investigative process and allow it to do its job in coming to a fair and expeditious resolution for all parties involved. Anyone that has witnessed or has reasonable grounds to believe that a human or horse is suffering or has suffered abuse in our sport, is obligated to report it and we encourage them to report their concerns here. Equestrian Canada announced today the athletes who will represent the red and white in the CDIO3* Nations Cup, taking place Feb. 21-25, 2024, at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
The three Canadian riders will compete against teams from around the world in Wellington - an excellent precursor to Paris for these Olympic hopefuls. Representing Canada in the Nation’s Cup are: - Denielle Gallagher Legriffon, originally from New Brunswick, and Come Back de Massa, her 12-year-old Lusitano gelding. (Groom Sarah Corbett) - Mathilde Blais Tétrault of Montreal, Quebec with Fedor, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding owned by her sister Laurence, and Mathilde’s ride as part of Canada’s bronze medal winning Pan Am Games team in 2023. (Groom Laurence Blais Tétrault) -Rakeya Moussa from Edmonton, Alberta with 16-year-old KWPN gelding Davidoff V.H. Trichelhof, owned by Susan and Mohammed Moussa. (Groom Deborah Nichols) Canada’s Chef d’Équipe for the Nations Cup will be New Brunswick equestrian (and Denielle Gallagher Legriffon’s mother) Alison Gallagher. Go Canada!  Camille was all smiles aboard Finnländerin after a second place finish in Thursday’s CDI3* Grand Prix at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Photo: Joanna Crilly) Week 5 of the Adequan Global Dressage festival is underway and once again a number of Canadians are in pursuit of their MERs, the FEI's Minimum Eligibility Requirements required to compete at the 2024 Olympics. Between January 1, 2023 and June 24, 2024 horse / rider combinations must earn 67% from both the panel and an L4 judge twice in a CDI.
Having already secured her MERs on longtime partner Sound of Silence, Camille Carier Bergeron made her Grand Prix CDI debut with Finnländerin, earning their first MER. The pair finished second in Thursday's CDI3* Grand Prix, with panel scores of 68.587 - 68.478 - 67.717 - 68.913 - 65.326 for a total 67.804%. "I’m super happy and proud of Finn; she is just so fun and you can feel she tries so hard and wants to please," says Camille. "We had a miscommunication in the ones which was quite expensive, but overall there were many nice highlights, and still some room for improvement. I’m so excited for the future and I can’t wait to go back in there for the Special! I’m really grateful." Four other Canadians contested the CDI3* Grand Prix (for the Grand Prix Special) today: 5th - Tina Irwin & Fancy That - 66.348% 6th - Ariana Chia & Guateque IV - 66.065% 11th - Tom Dvorak & Cyrus - 62.957% Retired - Evi Strasser & Deja Vu Tyme In addition, there were two Canadian entries chasing World Cup points in today's CDI-W Grand Prix (for the Grand Prix Freestyle): 7th - Tanya Strasser-Shostak & Fidelis Tyme - 65.784% 11th - Evi Strasser & Disney Tyme - 62.456% CDI action in Wellington continues tomorrow with Tom Dvorak and Jeriko IR in the CDI1* PSG, while Evi and Tanya Strasser will be dancing under the Friday night lights in the CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle with Disney Tyme and Fidelis Tyme. Live streaming video from the CDI ring in available on the Adequan Global Dressage Festival website, while live scoring for the both the CDI and national show can be found at Equestrian Hub. As well, competition at the CDI in Le Mans, France begins tomorrow. Ryan Torkkeli is the lone Canadian entry, and will be riding his superstar Sternenwanderer in Friday's CDI3* Grand Prix.  Alexandra (Allie) Schmidt and Dolly Parton It’s been an exciting few weeks for Canadian dressage riders with a flurry of horse acquisitions. First Olympian Lindsay Kellock announced her long-time sponsor Melissa Schiff purchased the 9-year-old KWPN stallion Kensington (Vivaldi x Sir Sinclair) as a Grand Prix prospect. Then U25 rider Brooke Mancusi revealed her new NAYC hopeful, DeJohn Ymas. Now small tour rider Allie Schmidt has invested in her dreams with the purchase of not one, but two young mares from Klosterhof Medingen.
Allie’s international career began as a young rider, representing Canada at the North American Youth Championships with her homebred Hanoverian gelding Walkin’ Shoes. She returned to the CDI ring in 2021 with her KWPN gelding Balthasar, whom she competed at the small tour level in Canada and the USA through 2023. With 18-year-old Balthasar now serving as a trusted schoolmaster for her students, Allie approached her coach, Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell, to discuss next steps. Belinda arranged for some suitable prospects to try and Allie boarded a flight to Germany. But it turns out choosing which horse to buy was not an easy decision. “Dolly Parton is a coming five-year-old mare by De Niro out of a Erhentusch mare,” Allie told Canadian Dressage News. “I tried her when I was there in December at Klosterhof and loved her. Plus I have a sheep named Dolly so it was meant to be! Gwendolyn is a coming four-year-old mare by Grand Galaxy Win out of a Dancier mare. I only planned on getting one riding horse but couldn’t stop thinking about the younger mare, so I made it work.” Allie, who runs her own lesson and training business near Waterloo, Ontario, credits “many 16-hour days” for making the purchases possible. “This is a life goal and also an investment in myself and my goals and dreams,” she says. “I can’t wait for the adventures these mares will go on with me.”  Canada’s Brooke Mancusi and her new partner, DeJohn Ymas Winnipeg native Brooke Mancusi has an exciting new addition to her stable. She announced today the purchase of the 2008 KWPN gelding DeJohn Ymas (Johnson x Sandro Hit), to be her next U25 mount. Last year she campaigned Jill Irving’s Arthur in the division and was a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning U25 team at the North American Youth Championships.
Brooke (age 23) is based in Wellington, Florida for the winter season and trains with Canadian Olympian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu. DeJohn will be a stablemate for Brooke’s small tour horse Kalisto Sollenburg, a 2015 KWPN gelding she purchased in the Netherlands in 2021, after the sudden tragic death of her Young Rider mount Grand Amour, just before the pair was set to compete at the North American Young Riders Championships. “Johnny has a lot of show experience beginning in Europe in the Young Horse classes all the way up to Grand Prix. I am hoping to build on everything that I learned from Arthur and continue to learn at this level with Johnny,” Brooke told Canadian Dressage News. “I plan to declare Johnny for NAYC this summer in Michigan and once again represent Canada. Obviously there will be a number of shows between now and August, both here in Wellington and at home in Canada. Hopefully we can get a few CDI's under belt in Wellington and other shows back home this spring. I had been looking for a few months for the right U25 horse and am blessed to have found DeJohn with help from my trainer, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu.” |
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