2006 NAYRC August 1-6, Lexington, Virginia USA

Deadline for score submission is Monday July 3, 2006, 11:00 am EST

Please visit: http://www.dressagecanada.org/dcp.asp?pageid=55

to find more about Criteria,
Declaration Form
FEI Passport Application form
Dispute Resolution Policy for Athletes
Whip Declaration Form
Equine Canada Appeals Policy

For more info, please visit: www.dressagequebec.com

Trakehner Stallion Carino Celebrates 30th Birthday

May 31 - St-Lazare, QC --- May 2006 marked the thirtieth birthday of the well-known trakehner breeding stallion Carino (Liguster X Kobalt). For this special occasion, Rappenhof Trakehner Stud, the stallion’s home for the past twenty years, hosted an array of festivities in honour of the German born stallion.

Originally approved for breeding in Germany by the Trakehner Verband, Carino went on to be approved by the American Trakehner Association (ATA), Canadian Trakehner Horse Society (CTHS), Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA), Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association (CWHBA) as well as the International Sport Horse Registry (ISR/Oldenburg), producing numerous halter, dressage – up to FEI levels, hunter, jumper, endurance and driving champions across North America. It is estimated that Carino has produced some 200 winning competition horses out of an estimated 400 offspring produced in both Europe and North America.

The stunning black stallion is widely known for producing beautiful performance horses. So eye-catching are his noble trakehner features, he has made it to the front covers of several magazines. In 2000, Carino was recognized by the CSHA for his ability to pass on his attractive conformation and movement by being presented with the “Carolin Sifton Award,” awarded to the top CSHA stallion based on the points accumulated by his offspring at breed shows. That same year, Carino was also runner up behind the hanoverian Rio Grande for the “Brickenden Stallion Award,” awarded to the top CSHA stallion based on the success of his performing offspring – proving that beauty and performance can coexist.

Through his offspring, Carino once again proved that breeders can strive for beauty, intelligence, athletic ability and work ethic - all in the same horse. What’s more is that nearly all his halter champion offspring went on to attain glory in sport, many even winning simultaneously in two or more disciplines.

Since Carino’s attractive and correct conformation, cooperative attitude, trainability, great movement and good jumping skills were reliably passed on to his get, he quickly became one of most desired trakehner stallions on the continent. In fact, based on the number of mares bred, he was the most popular ATA stallion in 1993. Today, Carino’s valuable blood is still very desirable and can be seen be seen in the quality offspring of his daughters and approved sons.

“This German born stallion has earned our ‘Elite’ status by virtue of his exemplary offspring including a ‘model mare’ and four approved sons”, commented Allen MacMillan, President of the American Trakehner Association. “Known for passing on his lovely temperament and producing exceptional partners for amateur riders in many disciplines, he is an excellent ambassador for the breed.”

“If you ask me and people who know Carino personally, his most important achievement is what he did for the improvement of temperament and character,” commented Carino’s proud owner, Connie Kempter. “With his good-heartedness and his sense of humour showing in his kind big brown eyes, he became an ’institution’, conquering hearts first in Quebec, then in other provinces and over the years more and more in all parts of the States. He is special not only to his friends and fans at home, but also to many happy owners of ‘Carinos’ on both sides of the Atlantic. At Rappenhof we pray that we may share the special bond with this true gentleman and partner, whom you can really trust with your life, for more years to come.”

On a daily basis, the youthful stallion can be seen showing off his above average movement in his paddock as he looks over five small groups of trakehners at Rappenhof. He loves rolling in sand or snow and talking to his neighbouring ladies and babies in the stable. Carino shows few signs of old age and has clean legs, a rather good topline and not a white hair in sight. His good health and soundness requires no special maintenance nor does he require shoes or bandages.

Source: Dave Thind

For more info, please visit: www.dressagequebec.com

Ishoy & Proton Achieve Strong Performance at CDI3* Hagen

Ottawa, Ontario --- Only days after the World Cup Final in Amsterdam, NED, Canada’s Cindy Ishoy and Proton headed to Hagen, Germany to put in a strong performance at the CDI3* held April 27-30.

The competition saw many of the previous week’s World Cup competitors taking part. Ishoy of Jerseyville, ON and her Olympic Mount Proton, took on a field of 46 top riders competing in the Grand Prix which included many top international dressage riders such as Kyra Kyrkland, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff , Hubertus Schmidt and Isabel Werth. Ishoy and her 12-year-old dark bay Baden-Wurttemberger gelding were awarded a score of 68.625 %, with one member of the international judging panel giving them a 70.000%, to finish in a tie for eleventh position. The class was won by Germany’s Isabel Werth and Satchmo on a score of 74.417% with country mate Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Renoir Unicef in close second with 73.750%.

Ishoy’s strong performance in the Grand Prix qualified the pair for the Grand Prix Special where only the top 10 horse/rider combinations declared for the Grand Prix Special proceed. Their ride was awarded a score of 66.92% and placed them in 9th position. The class was again won by Germany’s Isabel Werth and Satchmo with 75.120%

Ishoy and Proton (Patriarch I x Rosenkavalier) have returned to Canada where they will be gearing up to earn a berth on the Canadian Dressage Team who will be taking part in the upcoming World Equestrian Games being held August 20 – September 3, 2006 in Aachen, Germany.

For more info, please visit: www.dressagequebec.com

Dressage Canada Announces 2006 Officials’ Clinics

As part of Dressage Canada’s mandate to provide officials’ education and programs, Dressage Canada is pleased to announce a 2006 calendar of officials’ clinics that provides educational opportunities across the country. The following is a list of scheduled events and registration forms can be downloaded at www.dressagecanada.org.

2006 EC/DC Sanctioned Dressage Judges Learners Clinic June 10-11, 2006Atlantic Dressage Development Centre, Mount Unicake, Hants Co. NSClinician: Lorraine MacDonald, FEI "I" Dressage JudgeThis clinic fulfills the requirements for updating purposes and the beginning process for “r” status, and a great opportunity for anyone interested in getting first hand experience in judging during competition.

2006 EC/DC Sanctioned Dressage Judges Clinic July 1 & 2, 2006Amherst Dressage, Southland Riding Club, Vancouver, BCClinician: Jacqueline Oldham, EC Senior Dressage JudgeThis clinic may be used for 2006 mandatory updating for Recorded, Basic or Medium Status and for Learner Judges.

Learner/Develop Your Eye Clinic with Lorraine Stubbs (FEI I) –
July 14-16, 2006 Palgrave, ONThis clinic is open to anyone who wants to see dressage from the judge’s point of view. Get the inside scoop on what judges are looking for when judging a dressage test, and where you can improve your test riding. It is also a great opportunity for those who are interested in becoming a dressage judge.

September 30 - October 1, 2006 - Dressage Canada Steward Clinic with Christine Hickman (FEI) and Linda Miller (EC Senior), Calgary AB.

October 14 & 15, 2006 - 2006 Updating/Upgrading Clinic with Linda Zang (FEI I), King, ONAll judges requiring their 3-year mandatory updating, as well as those planning to apply for upgrading, must attend this clinic so book your calendars now.

November 9-10, 2006 - Dressage Canada Steward Clinic with Margaret Murdoch (FEI Steward General for Canada) and Christine Hickman (FEI). Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, ON.Participants who attend and successfully complete this clinic will officially be recognized as licensed Dressage Stewards. Learner Stewards will be certified to assist, while Basic, Medium and Senior Stewards will be certified to officiate at all Equine Canada Sanctioned Dressage Competitions.

For more info, please visit: www.dressagequebec.com

Dressage Masters at Gut Aichet/Germany (21-23.4.2006) – Triumph for Olympic Champion Ulla Salzgeber

International dressage stars like Ulla Salzgeber, Olga Klimko and Uwe Schwanz gathered at the prestigious Gut Aichet venue in Thyrnau near Passau/Bavaria last weekend to compete in a series of classes up to Grand Prix.

In the Grand Prix class of Friday, Ulla Salzgeber won with her 11 year old mount Fuerst Finley, competing in what was only his fourth Grand Prix. His rider was so happy with the result that she is now considering the exceptional youngster for the German Championships. She also placed second in the same class, riding the 9 year old Piet.

On Saturday, Frank Freund, riding the Bavarian gelding Wanesco, placed 1st in the Dressage Class S, bringing great joy to his trainer Ulla Salzgeber. 6th place in the same class went to another student of one of the great masters, Dr Tina von Block, who is trained by Uwe Schwanz and rode the 15 year old Hannoverian gelding Weygand. Von Block also placed 4th in Sunday’s Intermediaire I class with the same horse and the former 3-day event champion is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the German dressage scene. Schwanz himself did owner Sissy Max-Theurer proud when he placed 3rd her 9-year old Oldenburg stallion Reve d’Amour 3rd in the Saturday afternoon S-class and the Sunday afternoon Prix St. Georges.

The Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, with a late start of after 9 pm, also went to Ulla Salzgeber, riding Piet again. Despite a minor fault in the changes at every second stride, the pair remained unbeatable. Sunday’s Grand Prix special went to Ulla Salzgeber again, with Fuerst Finley. Fourth came the Australian Matthew Dowsley with his dressage mare Cinderalla, who seems to have profited enormously from the training with Ulla Salzgeber. Olga Klimko, who did not have her best show, placed 6th in the same class with Glenn de Gaugin, followed by Uwe Schwanz, riding Salome, in 7th place.

By Tess Crebbin

Related links:
http://www.gut-aichet.de/
http://www.ulla-salzgeber.de/
http://www.uweschwanz.com/

Canada’s Cindy Ishoy Completes 4th Dressage World Cup Final

Multiple Olympian Cindy Ishoy recently completed her 4th World Cup Finals competition held from April 20-23 in Amsterdam, NED.

Ishoy, of Jerseyville, ON, was Canada’s sole representative at the Finals aboard her 12-year-old Badden Wurttenberg gelding Proton (Patriarch/Rosenkavalier), her mount at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Despite having several very good moments in both the Grand Prix (GP) and Grand Prix Freestyle (GPF), minor mishaps prevented Ishoy and Proton from realizing their full potential.

“As I entered the arena, Proton was soft in my hands and we were both relaxed. Things felt so harmonious and Proton showed no signs of resistance; I really don’t know what happened,” said Ishoy of her Grand Prix ride. Unfortunately the judges noted the moments of resistance which resulted in an uncharacteristically low score for Proton of 61.291%.

In the Freestyle “B” Finals, Proton seemed to be a little more settled in the electric indoor atmosphere, which can cause even the most seasoned Grand Prix horse to tense and lose their focus.

“I managed to get things organized and had some very nice piaffe and passage down the centre line,” commented Ishoy. “We were ready. Proton is a really great horse and he truly belonged there.” The judges rewarded their freestyle performance, which features contemporary hip hop music by 50 Cent, with a score of 67.525%.

Ishoy and Proton had arrived in Europe in advance of the Finals in order to work with the legendary Siegfried Peilicke, with whom Ishoy has trained since the age of 21.

Before returning home to Canada, Ishoy will take advantage of some additional European exposure by competing in the CDI3* Hagen, Germany from April 27 - May 1.

Ishoy and Proton qualified for the World Cup Final by capturing the Canadian League Finals at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show last November. Ishoy has the distinction of holding Canada’s best finish at a World Cup Final, an accomplishment achieved with her famous mount Dynasty in 1988 in s’Hertogenbosch, Netherlands where they placed second overall.

Canadian Riders Show Promise at Stadl Paura CDI3*

From April 13-16 2006, some of Europe’s top dressage riders gathered together in Stadl Paura, Austria to compete in the Stadl Paura CDI3*. Amongst the competitors were Canada’s Christian Garweg and Daisy Palmer-Kraul.

The two Canadians, who currently reside and train in Germany, both competed in the Prix St-Georges and Intermediaire I divisions, riding against up to 36 riders per class.

In the Prix St-Georges, both riders had very clean and well executed tests. With Jane Haslett’s Gun Woman, Garweg achieved a score of 65.67% for a sixteenth place finish. Gun Woman (Graf Remus/Gimpel) is an 11-year-old dark bay Oldenburg mare. Palmer-Kraul and Dunensand received a score of 63.25%, placing the duo twenty-eighth. Dunensand (Diamo/ Malvarwiese) is a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Fiona Dimitrieff. Taking top honours in the Prix St. Georges was the host country’s Victoria Max Theuer with a score of 70.08% aboard Salieri.

Intermediaire I saw Garweg, who is currently on Canada’s Canadian Equestrian Team Dressage Long List, finish in twenty-second place on a score of 63.75% with another well ridden test. Not far behind, Palmer-Kraul finished in twenty-fifth place, with a score of 62.58%. This division yet again saw Victoria Max Theuer walk away victorious, this time scoring 73.08% with Romantik.

“As I whole, I am very pleased with the weekend. I train with both Holga Finken and Siegfried Peilicke - Siegfried was very impressed with Dunensand and feels that he is an up and coming horse for Canada,” commented Palmer-Kraul, who is currently ranked on the Canadian Equestrian Team Dressage Short List “B”. “I was able to watch Christian ride. He did nicely with Gun Woman,” continued the 29-year-old.

Dressage Canada Announces Newly Certified Level III Coaches

Dressage Canada’s Coaching Committee is pleased to announce the following newly certified level III Dressage Coaches:

Andrea Bresee (Ontario)
Rebecca Garrard (British Columbia)
Sharon Merkel-Beattie (Alberta)

“Becoming a level III Dressage Coach is a long process and we’re really happy to be able to welcome these fine individuals into the group,” commented Dressage Canada’s Coaching Chair, Wendy Christoff.

In addition to a stringent six part exam, level III candidates require a long list of prerequisites including having successfully competed at the Prix St-Georges level , having practical experience bringing along a horse from the beginning to Fourth level and a minimum of three years experience coaching riders to Third/Fourth levels. A listing of current level III dressage coaches can be obtained at www.dressagecanada.org.

Some Very Good Dressage Books

Canada’s Cindy Ishoy Prepares for the Dressage World Cup Final

Ottawa, Ontario --- With the World Cup Dressage Final only weeks away, preparations are well underway for Canada’s sole representative, Olympian Cindy Ishoy of Jerseyville, ON. The World Cup Final will be held from April 20-23 in Amsterdam, NED.

Currently preparing for the Dutch hosted event in Germany, Ishoy and her 2004 Athens Olympic Games mount Proton (Patriarch/Rosenkavalier), will spend the next three weeks training under the expert guidance of Canadian Dressage Team Coach, Norbert Van Laak. In addition, the duo will receive tutelage from the legendary Siegfried Peilicke, with whom Ishoy has trained since the age of 21.

Ishoy and her 12-year-old dark bay Baden-Wurttemberger gelding qualified for the upcoming World Cup Final by capturing the Canadian League World Cup Final at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show last November.

“Our training over the winter went very well,” commented Ishoy. “Proton is in top shape and I have been consistently working with a personal trainer, four-times a week,” continued the 1988 Seoul Olympics Team Bronze Medalist.

Once again, Ishoy plans on entertaining the crowds with her musical freestyle featuring music from ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘50 Cent’. “I have slightly changed the music, but I want to keep the shock value of my music. I know that some will really like it and that others may not, but you have to be true to yourself,” stated Ishoy. “We need more public support and sponsorship and I think that adding some pizzazz and fun is a positive thing.”

At the 1987 World Cup Finals in Sweden, Ishoy and her famous partner Dynasty finished second overall. To date, this remains the best Canadian ranking at the World Cup Final. Before returning home to Canada, Ishoy will also compete in the CDI3* Hagen, Germany from April 27 - May 1.

Team Spirit the Key to Canada’s Overwhelming Success on the Florida Dressage Circuit

Ottawa, Ontario --- With the Florida dressage circuit’s third and final International dressage competition (CDI) coming to an end, Canadian riders have continued to take a leading role in every major class. Although Canada Day is months away, due to the continuous celebration of Canadian talent, team spirit and patriotism, the summation of the past three CDI3* events may come across as a several week long Canadian jubilee.

The Canadian success story began to unfold at the Gold Coast Opener CDI3* held from Jan. 20-22. Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer of New York, NY kicked off the season with a clean sweep in the Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and Intermediaire I Freestyle divisions, all with her nine-year old Dutch Warmblood gelding Pop Art (Amsterdam). In addition, Holzer was victorious in the Grand Prix with her Athens Olympic mount Imperioso (Gestion Cocktail), a 16-year old Dutch Warmblood stallion, as well as placing fourth with Gambol, the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion she co-owns with Dr. Diane Fellows.

Holzer and Imperioso dazzled everyone in the Grand Prix Freestyle to music, receiving a score of 76.375% for their performance. If that were not enough, Holzer went on to claim yet another title, winning the Grand Prix Special (GPS) with Gambol. Fellow Canadian riders were not far behind Holzer, including Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON who finished in fourth place in the GPS with Gran Gesto (Grannus) and Olympian Evi Strasser of Ste-Adele, QC finished fifth in the Grand Prix with her 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Quantum Tyme (Quattro B).

Next up on the circuit was the CDI3* Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee. The successful trend continued with Holzer and Pop Art repeating their triple class win in the Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and Intermediaire I Freestyle. Holzer and Imperioso, also claimed a repeat win in the Grand Prix, with Gambol finishing fourth. Her winning streak did not end here, as Holzer also captured the GPS with Gambol and finished second in the Grand Prix Freestyle with Imperioso.

Other top five performances were scored by several riders including Tom Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON who finished fifth in the Intermediaire I Freestyle with Alyson Carpenter’s Canadian bred Fortissimo (Fabriano/Consul), and Strasser aboard Quantum Tyme, who finished fifth in the GPS. This event also saw Canadian Young riders Tara Dougans of Toronto, ON, Catherine Goulet of Saint-Marc-Sur-Richelieu, QC and Leah Wilson of Caledon, ON successfully represent their country.

The last leg of the Canadian-dominated circuit, the CDI3* Zada Enterprises LLC WEF Dressage Classic came to a close on March 19, by showcasing an unprecedented winning sweep by Holzer, who remained undefeated with Pop Art.

“Judges really appreciate the athleticism and precision of this unbelievable horse,” commented Holzer.

Holzer kept the awe factor going strong in the Grand Prix class, held Thursday March 16, when her rides aboard both Imperioso and Gambol received identical scores of 70.708% from the international judging panel.

“There is nothing like being Canadian, I’m very proud to be Canadian. The Canadian riders have all had their share of fantastic results and what’s so special about our well regarded group is the sense of team spirit which we all share,” said Holzer. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be part of such a close knit team and this, without a doubt, has been a contributing factor to our recent success.”

Several other Canadian riders were once more in the ribbons of major international classes. Brooks rode her 2003 Pan American Games partner, the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Gran Gesto, owned by Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch to a third place finish in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 70.75% - just over 1% away from the win. Strasser rode her extremely expressive 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Quantum Tyme to a fifth place finish, earning a score of 70.150%. Not far behind, finishing in eighth position was Jon Costin of Puslinch, ON, who was awarded a score of 67.675% with his 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Wholio (Warkant).

“It’s great to have someone like Ashley here to hold our flag up so high. This has been an unforgettable Florida season for Canadian dressage riders and a very good preparation for the upcoming World Equestrian Games in Aachen,” commented Strasser. “Our team is very united and it’s nice to see our training and coaching programs coming to place. We are all training hard to keep performing at this level.”

In the FEI young horse division at the CDI 3* Zada Enterprises LLC WEF Dressage Classic, Canada displayed that not only does the country have some promising young stock, it has the riders to guide them to the top. In the five-year-old division, Holzer received a score of 77.6% for her presentation of Dr. Fellow’s Arabesque (Abinos / Don Gregory). The six-year-old division saw Diane Creech of Caistor Centre, ON emerge victorious with a score of 77.6% aboard Devon L (De Niro / Wolkenstein II), owned by Douglas Leatherdale.

“I am honoured to be part of the Canadian contingent. This is an incredible group of individuals and it is amazing to see how supportive and helpful everyone has been,” stated American Dr. Dianne Fellows, commenting on the high level of success attained by Canadian dressage riders during this year’s winter circuit.

Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch’s Hanoverian gelding Balmoral (Belcanto / Consul), who was one of the stars in last year’s FEI 6-year-old division, has continued to show tremendous potential. The seven-year-old, who is a half brother to Fortissimo, was bred by Stephanie Jeffrey of King City, ON, and won both the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Open classes with scores of 71.75% and 64.5%.