dressage quarterly report - equestrian.ca · olympic games mount, caravella (contango x riverman),...

DRESSAGE QUARTERLY REPORT April 2017

Volume 1, Issue 1

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April 2017 - Volume 1, Issue1 Dressage Quarterly

Cealy Tetley Photography

DRESSAGE COMMITTEE CHAIR

VICTORIA WINTER Welcome to the first edition of the Equestrian Canada, Dressage Quarterly Report. The goal of this publication is to provide regular updates, information and stories of interest to our members. In this first issue, we are particularly excited to announce our first annual Performance

Advantage Symposium (see details on page 7). We are

hopeful that this Symposium will provide education sessions of interest to all, as well as an opportunity to socialize and celebrate our members’ successes over the past year. At the time of publication the Florida season has come to an end and we extend our congratulations to the great results of our Canadian riders the past three months, including our medalists from the CDIO/CDIO-U25 - Tina Irwin, Jaimey Irwin, Megan Lane, Jill Irving, Mathilde Blais Tetreault and Tanya Strasser-Shostak. Enjoy the first Dressage Quarterly Report and we encourage you to contact us if you have ideas for future issues.

Member Suggestions We would like to hear from you - our dressage community. If you have suggestions for the next issue of the Dressage Quarterly please submit those ideas to:

Manager Dressage

Christine Peters [email protected]

EC Contacts Contact details, photos and small biographies can be found for all Equestrian Canada staff at the following website link: https://www.equestrian.ca/about/contact

A quick overview of staff contacts for dressage specific or technical portfolios are highlighted below: Manager Dressage – Christine Peters

[email protected] Coordinator Dressage – Crystal Labelle

[email protected]

Officials

Manager Technical Development

Rachel Huebert

[email protected] Coaching

Director Technical Development

Kalie McKenna

[email protected] Competitions

Coordinator Competition Services

Maria-Christina Lapore

[email protected] Rules


Rachel Huebert [email protected] Long Term Equestrian Development


Rachel Huebert

[email protected]


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Canadian Dressage Team Wins 2017 CDIO 3* Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup

The Canadian Dressage Team, consisting of Jill Irving of Moncton, NB, Jaimey and Tina Irwin of Stouffville, ON, and Megan Lane of Loretto, ON, won the Team Gold Medal in the CDIO 3* Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup on March 23, 2017 at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF)in Wellington, FL. The team’s big win marked the first time Canada has taken gold in the prestigious annual Nations Cup, which is the highlight of the final week of CDI-level competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Tina Irwin led Canada to the Gold Medal after helping to secure an early lead on day one of competition. Riding Laurencio (Laurentio x Donerhall), a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co-owns with her husband, Jaimey, she earned a decisive win in the FEI Prix St. Georges on a score of 74.026%. The pair returned the following day for the FEI Intermediate I, once again topping the leaderboard with 73.237%. “I’m very lucky to have a horse like Laurencio; He’s very special,” said Tina, who has had an impressive season in Wellington, including a record-breaking performance during week seven, when she and Laurencio earned the world’s highest small tour score on record for 2017 (78.708%) in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle. “I’m pleased with our season, and I knew that he was a special horse right from the beginning. I’m happy to start to showcase that.” “I think it’s a great experience to be having these Nations Cups,” continued Tina. “It’s huge for us to get together as a country and have these experiences.” Jaimey Irwin also had a strong performance in the small tour, earning second place finishes in both the FEI Prix St. Georges (72.921%) and FEI Intermediate I (69.263%) aboard Donnegal V (Johnson x Gribaldi), a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group. Lane and Irving represented the Canadian team at the big tour level during the Nations Cup. Lane, who was in the anchor position for the Canadian Dressage Team during the Nations Cup, was partnered with her Rio 2016 Olympic Games mount, Caravella (Contango x Riverman), a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare she co-owns with her mother, Cathy, and sister, Kelsey.

Together, they earned third place finishes in both the CDIO 3* Grand Prix and CDIO 3* Grand Prix Special, scoring 70.080% and 70.176%, respectively. “I do well under pressure, so I am privileged that I got to be in that spot,” said Lane, who set a new personal best FEI Grand Prix Freestyle record earlier in the 2017 AGDF series, after scoring 70.700% with Caravella. “I’m really happy with Caravella. I think she’s in a good spot. The piaffe/passage work is always a highlight, and her canter half-passes are really nice to ride.” Irving started out with a fourth place finish in the CDIO 3* Grand Prix after scoring 68.480% with Degas 12 (De Niro x Regazzoni), a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding she owns with Windhaven Farm. They followed up with fifth place in the CDIO 3* Grand Prix Special on 69.588%. The Canadian Dressage Team finished on a combined score of 434.528 points. The United States took the Silver Medal with 432.661 points, and Spain received the Bronze Medal (397.690). For the first time in the history of the AGDF series, Week 11 also hosted an Under 25 (U25) Nations Cup, providing next generation athletes with the chance to gain valuable experience in the team format.

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Canada was represented at the top of the podium in the inaugural CDIO-U25 FEI Nations Cup, presented by Diamante Farms, after Mathilde Blais-Tetreault from Montreal, QC rode to the Individual Gold Medal on March 23. Riding Utah (Jazz x Landwind II B), her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Blais-Tetreault earned the title after scoring 68.279% in the CDIO-U25 FEI Grand Prix 16-25. “It is a great feeling to capture the gold medal,” said Blais-Tetreault, who has only been paired with Utah for four months. “I didn’t really expect this because Utah and I are such a new combination. I’m really happy that we have progressed.” In the Team portion of the Nations Cup, Blais-Tetreault, along with Tanya Strasser-Shostak of Sainte- Adèle, QC, earned the Bronze Medal on March 22 on a team total of 132.079 points. The Team Medals were decided in the CDIO-U25 FEI Intermediate II 16-26, which saw Blais-Tetreault score 67.500% for fourth place. Strasser-Shostak took eighth place on a score of 64.579% partnered with Action Tyme (Aktuell x Aleksander), a 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by her mother, Evi Strasser.

Photos provided courtesy of Sara Hellner


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Lane & Irwin Dominate Earning Individual Gold Medals

Megan Lane of Loretto, ON and Tina Irwin of Stouffville, ON both earned Individual Gold Medals in the 2017 CDIO 3* Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup on March 24 in Wellington, FL. After the Canadian Dressage Team earned the Gold Medal in the Nations Cup on March 23, the team members, consisting of Irwin and Lane, along with Jaimey Irwin of Stouffville, ON and Jill Irving of Moncton, NB went forward to perform their Freestyles for individual honours. Lane and Caravella (Contango x Riverman) a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare she co-owns with her mother, Cathy, and sister, Kelsey earned Individual Gold after scoring 74.550% in the CDIO 3* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, which was the highlight of the competition, taking place at night under the lights for an enthusiastic crowd of spectators. “Although we are competing at the top level, there is always so much to work on and she is a special horse to be sharing these exciting experiences with,” said Lane of Caravella, her long-time partner who has been with her from the Junior and Young Rider level all the way up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “I am feeling more confident with Caravella with each month that goes by. I hope our story inspires more riders to pursue dressage.” Reflecting on her Nations Cup experience overall, Lane said, “I was so fortunate to be part of such a strong team this year. The success of this week’s Nations Cup would not have been possible for me without the support of Deer Ridge and my sponsors, Albion Saddlery and Omega Alpha Equine.” Tina Irwin’s Individual Gold Medal came in the CDIO 3* FEI Intermediate I Freestyle aboard Laurencio (Laurentio x Donerhall), a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co-owns with her husband, Jaimey Irwin. The duo scored an impressive 76.500% for the win, which secured their hat trick for the week, having also topped the CDIO 3* FEI Prix. St Georges and CDIO 3* FEI Intermediate I earlier in the week to lead Canada to the Team Gold Medal. “I feel quite amazed with what Laurencio and I have accomplished this past season,” explained Tina, who has had an idyllic season in Wellington, highlighted by earning the world’s highest small tour score on record for 2017 (78.708%) during week seven. “I am very excited

for the future with this horse. He truly is a star and has all of the qualities that you need in a top competition horse.” Jaimey Irwin also landed on the individual podium, securing the Silver Medal with 73.575% in the CDIO 3* FEI Intermediate I Freestyle, partnered with Donnegal V (Johnson x Gribaldi), a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group. The podium was rounded out in the CDIO 3* FEI Intermediate I Freestyle by Esther Mortimer of Guatamala, who took the Individual Bronze Medal aboard Adajio. In the CDIO 3* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, Shelley Francis of the United States earned the Individual Silver with Doktor. Fellow American, Lisa Wilcox was the Bronze medalist with Galant. Irving placed just off the podium, taking fourth (72.875%) in the CDIO 3* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle with Degas 12 (De Niro x Regazzoni), a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding she owns with Windhaven Farm. For full results and further information, visit http://gdf.coth.com

Governance Governance details for Equestrian Canada can be reviewed and downloaded from the following website link: https://www.equestrian.ca/about/governance Under the new Governance for Equestrian Canada the general purpose of the Dressage Committee is to provide strategic guidance and counsel to management for the development of dressage in Canada. The Committee is comprised of nine members as follows:

• The Chair is appointed by the Equestrian Canada CEO

• Eight additional Committee members are appointed by the CEO, on the recommendation of the Committee.

Nominations for open positions on the Committee are accepted annually in November.

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The 2017 Committee Members • Victoria Winter (Chair) – Toronto, ON

• Mary Brooks – Cedar Valley, ON

• Jean Duckering – Red Deer, AB

• Susan Fraser – Port Williams, NS

• Joan Macartney – Manotick, ON

• Sheila Skene – Victoria, BC

• Elizabeth “Liz” Steacie–Brockville, ON

• William “Lee” Tubman–Wellington, FL

• Birgit Valkenborg – Sainte-Marthe, QC Inquiries for the Committee can be sent to [email protected]

Specific Responsibilities of the Committee • Advise management on the annual operational

priorities, strategies, and performance targets for the ongoing development of dressage in Canada;

• Review and report on the achievement of its annual operational priorities and performance targets and identify key areas for improvement;

• Provide input and feedback to management concerning policies, programs, rules, regulations, and services related to the development of dressage in Canada;

• Support management in dealing with appeals related to dressage;

• Interface as a unit with the Canadian dressage community in partnership with management on key developments, issues, challenges and achievements within dressage;

• Provide strategic counsel to the Director of Sport on matters concerning dressage high performance programs and services;

• Nominate dressage representatives to various EC committees, as required;

• Appoint ad-hoc dressage committees in accordance with management approved terms of references as required;

• Liaise with Provincial/Territorial Equestrian Sport Organizations (PTSOs) in order to further the effectiveness of dressage programs and services.

2017-2018 Priorities The Dressage Committee has identified the following key priorities for the 2017 season: • Performance Advantage Symposium supported by

Sun Life Financial Durham and the Dressage Levy

Program (Details outlined on page 7)

• Relaunch of the Awards Recognition Program including the addition of many new exciting award opportunities – Details coming soon!

• Design of an annual Rising Stars program for both our human and equine athletes.

2017 Officials’ Clinics Information on upcoming Officials’ Clinics can be found through the EC website at: https://www.equestrian.ca/events-results/clinics FEI Stewards due for a refresher course should register and attend the course scheduled for Ontario this May. FEI Dressage Steward Refresher Clinician: Elisabeth Williams (USA) Dates: May 17 & 18, 2017 Location: Ottawa, ON Registration: Coming Soon to FEI website

Info: FEI Invitation


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New and Promoted Officials The Dressage Committee is pleased to announce the new and promoted Officials for 2017:

Dressage Judges

Prov. Name Status

ON Sara Alberni Recorded

BC Virginia Allen Basic

BC Cathy Armitage Basic

BC Elizabeth Brown Basic

BC Jayne Essig Basic

NB Donna McInnis Basic

BC Sheryl Williams Basic

ON Marianne Fizet Medium

AB Kim Vos Medium

BC Alastair Buchanan Senior

FL William “Lee” Tubman

FEI 4* Judge

Dressage Steward

Prov. Name Status

ON Cynthia Jones Basic

AB Kendra Martland Basic

QC Jean Renaud Basic

ON Kristy Nahirniak Medium

ON Anne Welch FEI Level 2 Steward (Valid July 2017)

Officials’ Licensing and Promotion The Licensing and Promotion rules for 2017 have not changed from what was presented in the 2016 dressage rulebook. All details on Licensing and Promotion will be provided in a new Officials Program Manual shortly. In the meantime if you have any questions about your application or the licensing / promotion criteria please contact:


Rachel Huebert [email protected]

Performance Advantage Symposium Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to confirm that the inaugural Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium – Presented with support from Sun Life Financial Durham will take place Oct. 20, 2017, at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON. As announced in December 2016, the Dressage Levy Program has been completely redesigned for the 2017 competition season. The Program has undergone exciting changes to refocus on two key areas that are critical to the success of dressage in Canada – Talent Identification and Personal Development. Dressage competitors who contribute to the Dressage Levy program in 2017 will receive full access to the Symposium at no cost. Non-competitors who purchase a 2017 EC Dressage Affiliate status will receive a discount of $15 in recognition of their support. The Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium will feature a full day of exciting educational opportunities in the following areas:

• Perfecting Test Riding

• Youth & Young Horse Development & Talent ID

• Training your Eye for Dressage

• Performance Analysis

• Rider Fitness

• Massage Therapy (human and equine)

• Freestyle Choreography The exciting lineup of symposium speakers will include:

• Belinda Trussell & Jacqueline Brooks - Olympians

• Cara Whitham - EC Senior & FEI 5* Dressage Judge

• Lorraine MacDonald - EC Senior & retired FEI 4* Dressage Judge

• Liz Steacie –Athlete and Member of Dressage Committee

• Caroline Archambault – Massage Therapist

• Jessica Dilliott – EC Head of Sport Science

A Town Hall discussion with the EC Dressage Committee, as well as an Octoberfest Evening Celebration will also be held. A full symposium schedule will be released shortly.

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Due to the timing, those attending the Carl Hester Masterclass (separate registration required through

http://www.caledonequestrianpark.com/carl-hester), scheduled for October 21-22, 2017 at the Caledon Equestrian Park, have the perfect opportunity to add the Symposium to their weekend plans and enjoy three full days of dynamic, dressage-specific education.

Three days of exceptional education

not to be missed in 2017!

Symposium Pricing • Day Pass (Dressage Levy Contributors)-Free

• Day Pass (Dressage Affiliates) - $30

• Day Pass (General Public) - $45

• Octoberfest Evening Celebration - $50

Pre-Registration Required

To register for the Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium, please visit the online Symposium registration portal. Please note that space is limited and this event will fill up quickly!

Highlighting our Rising Stars Horses have always been a very important part of life for Elexis Ortlieb. She started riding school ponies and horses at a very young age with her mother, Ellen. In the fall of 2007, she was fortunate to show the pony, Harrison, in Gold competitions at the FEI Pony/Third Level. “Harrison was an amazing pony. He could be trusted on a trail ride, galloping over the fields after the harvest, a hunter course,

or anything that was asked of him,” stated Ortlieb. “He passed away from old age and I still miss him.” The big step to 16.2 hh American Hanoverian, Diego, was a very educational and humbling experience. “Diego and I were fortunate to have four years together, during which time we competed at the FEI Junior/Fourth Level and one year at the FEI Young Rider Level,” commented Ortlieb. “Our last year was definitely the highlight of our career together. We won numerous championships, including a Team Bronze Medal at the 2015 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC).” Verida, the KWPN mare Ortlieb now competes with, has taken her on an exciting journey. “I was fortunate to spend time training and showing a bit with her in Florida for the first few months of our relationship in 2016,” stated Ortlieb. “Now that we are back in Alberta, we have enjoyed showing in Alberta, British Columbia and Colorado, at the 2016 NAJYRC, where we won a Team Silver Medal. This past January, my mom and I braved the freezing rain and snow to travel to the Las Vegas High Roller CDI in Nevada. In typical Las Vegas style, everything was over the top and wonderfully magical! We drove into the hustle of the city to find the South Pointe Casino and Hotel, which housed three indoor arenas, a substantial warm up area and stabling - along with everything else that a Las Vegas Hotel would offer, and more! We drove into the building to unload, and with the help of the fantastic welcoming committee, unloaded everything in record time.” Verida and Ortlieb adapted well to the warm climate and put on a brave performance. “It was not our best show. However, given the circumstances, I was very happy with my horse.” “Along with winning a Bronze and Silver Medal at NAJYRC, hearing the Canadian anthem played twice at the Las Vegas show during the presentations was a real high point, not only for my riding, but in my life as well,” said Ortlieb. “Every time I go down centre line, I learn more about this fabulous sport and the partnership of dressage. Even though I may not always have the best ride, there is always something to be gained. At the Royal West Horse Show in Calgary, AB this past fall, it felt like Verida and I were in true harmony.” Ortlieb’s next goal is to connect and learn to ride with harmony, not only in the show ring, but in her everyday training. “I plan to continue to learn from and compete with Verida. I have incredible support from my family, coaches, friends, Selleria Equipe and Saddle Solutions Inc. I am truly honoured and grateful for the wonderful people I have behind me!”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Elexis Ortlieb


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2017 Rule Updates Updates to the Rulebook for 2017 include the re-branding to Equestrian Canada, the introduction of Horse Recordings which replace the former EC Passports and the removal of the Officials’ Certification criteria, which will be released in a new Officials Program Manual in 2017. On to the actual rule changes, there have been many clarifications, corrections and simple additions that will speak for themselves as you review the new rules. The areas that have been substantially changed appear below in the order they appear in Section E: In Chapter 1, the description of the ‘turn on the haunches’ has been expanded to be more understandable for both judges and competitors and, to align with the new FEI wording for submission, ‘willing co-operation’ appears after submission in brackets throughout. In the national movements Chapter 2, a more complete description is given for sitting and rising trot, clearly explaining the diagonal requirement. An expanded description of a working pirouette is also described. Chapter 3 confirms that for ‘all’ EC competitions including Bronze, a steward is required. Clarification on amateur status as it relates to those who have represented Canada is also shown and the age limitation has now expanded to include those competing in U25. In the all-important Dress and Equipment Chapter 4, there are several adjustments including the matter of dress colour. Although not a perfect solution, the use of the FEI Hue Saturation Value (HSV) colour scale has been inserted instead of the former ‘dark coloured or grey’ rule. Maximum spur length of 5 cm (3.5 cm for FEI Child and Pony) measured from boot to tip of spur is also an alignment with the FEI. Tight nosebands are also addressed in both the snaffle and double bridle section. If a competitor refuses to loosen the noseband when directed to by the steward, they will be disqualified. Ear nets remain permitted with the explanation that they must be of a thin single, unpadded layer of material and it is recognized that they may provide some noise protection. In Chapter 7, the new 7 year old tests are included in the ‘Equivalency’ section and the 5 Year old test is shown as equivalent to Second, not First level. It also stresses that when riding in FEI tests in EC competitions, Intermediate I and II are not considered consecutive from the standpoint of making an entry.

The use of Tests of Choice for national qualifying championships has been changed to allow their use in most circumstances. Also in this chapter is the allowance for not only the judge to eliminate a dangerous or unruly horse but for the senior steward to eliminate any horse, rider or handler from the showground. The biggest change made for 2017 is in the error rules in Chapter 9 and affects those competitors riding in FEI tests at EC (Bronze, Silver and Gold) Competitions. Last year the FEI changed the error rule drastically and EC felt they could do nothing but comply which we did. However after this first year the 2% deduction after the first error and elimination after the second just didn’t seem fair to those just moving into the FEI levels. After checking with other national federations including Germany and the UK, it was found that many had not adopted this change for their national competitions. It was then decided that for 2017, we would revert to our usual error rules for FEI tests in EC (Bronze, Silver and Gold) Competitions. The only exception will be for FEI Young Horse tests that are judged differently. Competition Organizers can download and print labels directly from the Equestrian Canada Competition Portal when they download their tests for 2017. These labels can be affixed over the error box on the FEI test sheets clearly indicating the errors to be applied at Bronze, Silver and Gold competitions. If you have any questions or comments about the 2017 rule changes, please let us know. In the meantime, our very best wishes for straight centerlines and enjoyable competition experiences.

EC Rule Change Suggestions

It is the right of every EC Sport Licence Holder to suggest amendments to the rules, subject to the current policies, procedures and schedules.

The annual deadline for rule change suggestions

Rule change suggestions can be submitted by:

• Visiting the Online Rule Change Suggestion Portal *Note: the Online Rule Change Suggestion Portal is

only open between Jan. 1 – May 31

• All rule change suggestions are reviewed by EC sport, technical or welfare committees.

• RCPs are posted to the EC website for a 30-day review by EC Sport Licence Holders

• All comments are reviewed and considered and any revisions will be made.

• Rule changes will be posted to the EC website and will become effective Jan. 1 of the following year.

dressage quarterly report - equestrian.ca · olympic games mount, caravella (contango x riverman),...

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