CDI WINS FOR BLAIS TETRAULT, BOUCHER, SCHLOSS AND MORE AT OTTAWA DRESSAGE FESTIVAL

CDI and CPEDI competition kicked off at the Ottawa Dressage Festival today, with an exciting mix of national team members, seasoned veterans, and new horse/rider combinations competing in this important qualifying year for the upcoming Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

In the CDI3* Grand Prix, Mathilde Blais Tetrault earned a total score of 69.109% for the win aboard her 13-year-old KWPN gelding Fedor (Johnson Tn x Negro).This marks the second year in a row Mathilde has won the CDI Grand Prix in the nation's capital.

"My horse felt great today," said Mathilde. "He was a little but hot because he's not used to competing in the cold weather. so I had to manage his energy. I'm looking forward to the Grand Prix Special on Sunday and I'm happy because this puts me in a very good position for Pan Ams. Overall I'm very, very proud of my horse."

In the CDI1* Prix St-Georges, Beatrice Boucher and Summerwood's Limei scored the win with 71.128%, edging out Lori Bell and Flirt, with 70.539%. 2020 Olympic team member Brittany Fraser Beaulieu rounded out the top three, earning 69.853% aboard the 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding Downing Street. 

The victory was especially sweet for Beatrice, who competed the talented Limei (Londonderry x Weltmeyer) in the young horse classes from age 4 through 6, regaining the ride on her at age 8.  The 10-year old Hanoverian mare was bred in Ulverton, Quebec by Linda Tetrault of Delys Farm. 

"This is my first time riding in the Ottawa Dressage Festival. There is so much going on and Limei loves it," said Beatrice. "She felt fresh but so relaxed at the same time today; it was just the perfect mix and made her easy to ride."

Canada's rising stars were shining in the CDIY Young Riders Team test, where Anna Swackhammer and Fabienna earned the win and a personal best score of 67.745. Hanae Thiverge was the sole competitor in the CDIJ Junior Team test, riding Fiorettino.

An impressive lineup of Paralympics and World Equestrian Games veterans topped the CPEDI leaderboards. 

In the CPEDI3* Grade 1 Grand Prix A Jody Schloss piloted her colourful new mount El Colorado to victory with a super score of 72.014, while scoring 69.292% for second place aboard her longtime partner Lieutenant Lobin. Alexandra Vadnais was the sole competitor in the CPEDI2* Grade 1 Intermediate A, finishing on a score of 55.75% after a challenging day. 

Roberta Sheffield and Delilah rode to victory in the CPEDI38 Grade III Grand Prix, while Kim Scott and Party Girl captured the CPEDI2* Grade III Intermediate A.  In the Grade IV division Joelle Trudeau and Sinclair were victorious in the Grand Prix A, and Catherine Bridges won the Intermediate A with Dark Velvet. Eleanor Elstone won the Grade V Grand Prix A, while Marley Crosby rounded out the Grade V division with the Intermediate A win.

Full scores for the CDI and CPEDI are available at Equestrian Hub.