Jon Costin rode Wholio to victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI3* Ottawa Fall Dressage Classic taking place at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON, from August 24-27.
Costin of Freelton, ON, and his 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding, Wholio, earned a score of 68.20% to easily ride away with the Grand Prix Freestyle victory. In a competition where riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice, Costin chose a disco-themed program featuring 'Staying Alive' for his piaffe and passage, the two most difficult movements at the Grand Prix level. The panel of five international judges rewarded Costin for his inventive program, placing him more than six percentage points ahead of his nearest competition.
The victory will help ensure Costin's appearance in the Canadian League World Cup Final at Toronto's Royal Horse Show in November. The CDI3* Ottawa Fall Dressage Classic is one of five World Cup Qualifying events held in Canada, and the top five riders in the standings at the end of the season will go head-to-head at the Royal Horse Show. The winner will represent Canada at the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA.
Jessica Costello of King City, ON, used a medley of Billy Joel tunes to showcase her Freestyle performance. Although she encountered some difficulty with her horse, Litmanen, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, the judges rewarded her overall performance with a score of 62.60%.
"It's quite fun to ride to, I have played around with the choreography and I'm more comfortable with it now," said Costello of the program designed by Wendy Watson. "I am very lucky to have Judy Elliott as my owner. She has supported me for six years by allowing me to ride 'Litty', and she doesn't put any pressure on me. As long as 'Litty' is happy, she's content."
After encountering technical difficulties when her cd would not play, Karin Davis returned to the Grand Prix ring to perform her Freestyle set to 80's music, including Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'. With her 21-year-old Australian thoroughbred gelding, Mighty Heights, Davis, representing her native Australia, earned a score of 61.70%.
For the second day in a row, Gillian Sutherland claimed victory riding Great Tyme, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding. After winning Friday's Prix St. Georges, Sutherland of Unionville, ON, won the Intermediaire I with a score of 67.50% while local competitor Susanne Dutt-Roth of Merrickville, ON, was again the runner-up, this time scoring 65.833% riding Rheirattack, her 10-year-old Canadian Sport Horse stallion.
The CDI3* Ottawa Fall Dressage Classic is also hosting the Dressage Canada National FEI Youth Championship for the divisions of Young Riders', Pony Riders, Children's, and Junior Riders. Local competitor Amy McIlwham of Ottawa, ON, was named the National FEI Young Riders' Champion riding Marzipan, a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by Mike and Susan Nash. Catherine Goulet of St-Mare-sur-Richelieu, QC, was named the Reserve Champion with Orgon, her 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.
Danielle McKinnon of Aurora, ON, was named the National FEI Junior Champion with Noma Tender, a 15-year-old Polish Warmblood gelding, while Jessica Rhinelander of St. John's, NF, was the FEI Junior Reserve Champion with Allende, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding.
Tatianna Turcotte of Mont Royale, QC, was named the FEI Pony Champion riding Serenity's Dream On while Jade Deter of Kemptville, ON, was named the Reserve Champion with Columbo 25. Vivian Cornell of Cornwall, ON, was crowned the FEI Children's Champion riding Heidschnucke.
The second annual CDI3* Ottawa Fall Classic runs until Sunday, August 27, and admission is free. Sunday will feature Freestyle competition, which sees riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice, including the Intermediaire Freestyle at 2:30 p.m.
Photo © Robert Alford
Related Links
Scores: 2006 CDI Ottawa
Canadian 2004 Short and Long Listed Dressage Riders