Canadians on the move

Montreal’s Mathieu Boisselier showcases his Canadian pride on the road (Photo courtesy of Elevage d’Hulm).

To be the best you need to learn from the best. That’s one of the primary reasons (along with the kinder climate) so many Canadian riders head to Florida and California for the winter season, where they can train with and compete alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.

However at least two Canadians are packing their bags (and their horses) and heading slightly further afield this year in pursuit of their goals.

British Columbia native Shannon Dueck is leaving her Loxahatchee, Florida home at the end of January to spend the next seven months training with her longtime mentor and friend, Carl Hester. Of course her 9-year-old mare Angelika MW (Franziskus x Welt Hit II) is coming along for the ride.

After a highly successful season at Small Tour last year which culminated in being named as an alternate for Canada’s Pan Am dressage team, Shannon and Angel have stepped up to the big tour this year and hope to return from Carl’s yard firmly established at Grand Prix.

Meanwhile this week, Montrealer Mathieu Boisselier leaves his home base in the south of France and heads to Barcelona. There he will train with Spanish Olympian Jordi Domingo, who also coaches fellow Canadian Naima Moreira Laliberte.

Mathieu is bringing his two FEI horses to sunny Spain: With 10-year-old KWPN mare J'Adoreina (All At Once x Tuschinski) he has his sights set on medium tour in 2024. His nine-year-old homebred gelding Fangorn d'Hulm (Don Juan de Hus x Otto Mail) competed at small tour last year at the national level in France, and Mathieu plans to enter him in CDIs this season.

Safe travels and bonne chance to our Canadian friends!

Shannon Dueck and Angelika MW (Photo: Carmen Franco)

Mathieu Boisselier with Jordi Domingo (Photo courtesy of Elevage d’Hulm)