Canada’s Olympians reign supreme at Royal Winter Fair

A 70s disco groove echoed throughout the Coca-Cola Coliseum as Naima Moreira Laliberté and her 17-year-old Statesman showed off a rhythmic test to the tune of Michael Jackson melodies and Eric Martin’s “Good Times.” Showcasing balanced pirouettes, expressive half passes, and one tempis that inspired the crowd to clap along, Laliberté and Statesman, owned by KML, Inc. and Guy Laliberté, posted a score of 75.745% for the win in Tuesday’s CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle.

“We’ve been all over the world together,” said Laliberte of the Hanoverian gelding (Sandro Hit x Brentano II) that carried her to two Pan American Games medals. “We were traveling reserves in Tokyo and competed in Paris, we did two Pan American Games, as well as Herning, Doha, Aachen and a couple of Nations Cup in Florida. He’s always been a reliable partner and such a fun horse to travel with.”

Laliberte, 28, also won the $15,000 CDI3* Grand Prix Qualifier on Monday evening.

Fellow 2024 Olympian Camille Carier Bergeron, 24, of Laval, QC, finished second in both the Grand Prix and the freestyle, riding to crowd-pleasing tunes including The Four Seasons’ “Oh, What A Night.”

Rounding out the top three in the freestyle was 24-year-old Vanessa Creech-Terauds riding Daniel L, while Esther Mortimer and Hernando finished third in the Grand Prix.

The long-awaited return of competitive dressage to the Royal Winter Fair was a success, according to Caledon Dressage president Andrew Woodley, a key member of the team organizing the Royal CDI3* event.

The dressage team that helped organize the Royal’s first CDI in nine years is ecstatic with the 2024 competition. A lot has changed since the last event including the addition of electronic scoring, which allowed an amazing spectacle of spectacular dressage. Congratulations to all riders and everyone who helped support the show to make it a success!"

​Results CDI3* Grand Prix
​1. Naima Moreira Laliberté & Statesman 69.739
2. Camille Carier Bergeron & Finnländerin 68.326
​3. Esther Mortimer & Hernando 64.087
4. Micaela Mabragaña & Bradley Cooper 62.261
5. Vanessa Creech Terauds & Daniel L 61.783
6. Evi Strasser & Hemingway 61.261
​7. Chloe Gasiorowski & Sam Donnerhall 58.500

​Results CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
​1. Naima Moreira Laliberté & Statesman 75.745
2. Camille Carier Bergeron & Finnländerin 73.600
3. Vanessa Creech Terauds & Daniel L 70.680
4. Evi Strasser & Hemingway 69.420
5. Esther Mortimer & Hernando 67.790
6. Micaela Mabragaña & Bradley Cooper 65.900


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