Dressage World Cup Canadian League Finals & Dressage Canada Grand Prix Freestyle Championships at Royal Horse Show

The Canadian League Dressage World Cup Final and Dressage Canada Grand Prix Freestyle Championship will once again be a highlight of the Royal Horse Show, held November 4-13 as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at the National Trade Centre in Toronto, ON.

Five horse-rider combinations are preparing to go head-to-head in a battle that will not only determine the Dressage Canada Grand Prix Freestyle Champion, but also determine Canada’s representative for the 2006 World Cup Final being held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The first contest will be the Grand Prix scheduled for Wednesday, November 9 as part of a free afternoon performance. Competitors will then perform the Grand Prix Freestyle which is the following night’s feature event, Thursday, November 10, and whose outcome will decide the final winner.

Contenders in this year’s League finals include:

Jacqueline M. Brooks & Gran Gesto
Evi Strasser & Quantum Tyme
Cindy Ishoy & Proton
Whitney Harris & Nektor
Nancy MacLachlan & Ariston

Strasser and her mount Quantum Tyme, who have made three World Cup Final appearances in 1995, 1997 and 2005, enjoyed a particularly successful year winning Grand Prix championships at all four CDI3* competitions held in Canada. Brooks & Gran Gesto, owned by Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch, have also enjoyed a very successful year consistently scoring top performances over 70% in the Freestyle.

Ishoy and Proton, who represented Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games, recently placed second at the prestigious Dressage at Devon CDI 3*. MacLachlan, who represented Canada at the 2001 World Cup Finals, and Ariston are a new combination to watch as they continue to forge a strong partnership for the future with increasing scores throughout the year. Harris, a member of the 2002 NAYRC Ontario team, and Nektor are both in their first year at the Grand Prix level having competed in two CDI3* competitions this summer.

Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances can be purchased through Ticketmaster at tel: 416 872-7777 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules, please visit www.royalfair.org or call tel: 416 263-3400.

Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the National governing body for Dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada's objective is to foster the growth of Dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials education and programs, rules & qualifying criteria, sport development, publications & awards. For more information about Dressage Canada email info@dressagecanada.org, or visit us online at www