Canadian shooting star Brittany Fraser has made a strong Grand Prix debut aboard her 10-year old Dutch warmblood gelding All In at the national dressage competition in Wellington, Florida, on Saturday 10 January 2015. Finishing second in the CDN Grand Prix with 69.300% Fraser and All In have shown there is more in store.
Trained by four-time Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer and owner of two gifted Grand Prix horses -- All In and Countess -- Fraser has all it takes to become one of Canada's new rising Grand Prix talents and certainly is a future championship team hopeful. Brittany has owned All In (by Tango x Damiro) for five years and trained him up the levels herself under the professional supervision of Holzer.
Her path to Grand Prix has been one of exploring new grounds on the young All In and learning the ropes from her schoolmaster Countess, a 13-year old Danish warmblood mare by Donnerhall x Solos Landtinus, which she acquired from fellow Canadian Eiren Crawford in Denmark last year. Fraser and Countess have competed in five Grand Prix classes over the summer, whereas All In was presented in the medium tour in Canada in June 2014. Afterwards Fraser deliberately kept All In home to prepare him for a big Grand Prix splash in Florida in 2015.
Last weekend in Wellington, FL, the national Grand Prix was judged by Swedish 4* judge Magnus Ringmark and Dutch 5* judge Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode. Fraser scored 69.300% and got 70.800% from De Wolff, which thrilled the rider even more.
"It was great to be back in the ring with All In," said a happy Brittany. "I always find the first time the most nerve-wracking, because you are never sure how it's going to go," she admitted. "I was so happy with him. He has such a great attitude in the ring and he never says no. Sometimes he can get hot, but he was on my aids and very focused."
Brittany admits that her first Grand Prix rides on Countess were instrumental in mentally preparing herself for that level as well as for her coming big tour rides on the younger All In.
"I'm very thankful to Eiren Crawford for being a huge supporter of me owning Tess," Fraser said. "The mare has really helped me from not being green on green."
Defining Moments in Europe
One part of the Fraser's preparation track towards Grand Prix was going to Europe on a grant in the autumn of 2014.
"I received a grant from the Canadian Dressage Athlete Program (CDAAP) to train in Europe, so I went 1 October and trained with Patrik Kittel," Fraser told Eurodressage. "It was an incredible experience and I'm so grateful for receiving that grant. It gave me the opportunity to go to Europe, where I had a wonderful educational experience. I really enjoyed my time in Germany and I will most likely go back next fall. It was my first time in Europe to train and I couldn't have been at a better stable. Outstanding stables is a beautiful facility and everyone was so welcoming. I made great friends."
Twenty-six year old Brittany is originally from New Glasgow, Novia Scotia, where her father Craig owns a construction business. Supported by her parents to take up horse riding, young Brittany showed talent straight away. Ruth Koch trained her from ponies to Young Riders and Fraser competed at the 2007 North American Junior/Young Riders Championship. Afterwards she briefly studied business at Algonquin College but soon realized she wanted a professional life in the equestrian business.
Fraser acquired the Dutch warmblood stallion Tolando in The Netherlands to kick start her career, but after gelding him she was only able to show him for one year due to an injury. Fraser's life took excited turn when she discovered and acquired the 5-year old All In at the 2010 Equine Elite Auction in Weert, The Netherlands. It was love at first sight.
"When I tried him I fell in love with him," she said. "He was so fun to ride and his movement was so impressive. His personally is definitely quirky, but he is a very sweet horse. If he were a person everyone says he would be a huge nerd. His nick name is 'Allen' of Step Brothers."
The talented pair freewheeled to FEI level. The duo became one of Canada's all time strongest small tour combinations. They were the high scorers for Canada in the Intermediaire I and Inter I Kur at the 2014 CDIO Nations' Cup in Wellington.
Ashley Holzer, Important Key to Success
Fraser admits that Canadian coach Ashley Holzer has been an important key to her success. They have been working together for the past three years. Brittany joins her trainer down in warm Florida for the winter show circuit.
"I couldn't ask for a better coach/role model. She is truly inspiring and has so much knowledge," Brittany gushed. "The whole team at Ashley's is amazing. We have such a great group of people around us. Everyone is so supportive of each other."
Aiming for the pinnacle of the sport on the long term, Fraser stays grounded and won't boast with presumptious short term goals. She has wisely set achievable small steps for herself and her horses and is willing to do the necessary work to learn the ropes. This 2015 show season she will be taking her time to get more mileage at national Grand Prix level.
"Only when All In is ready I will take him in the CDI's," said Fraser. "I want to make sure he is strong fit and ready before I show CDI. I am focusing on perfecting the Grand Prix test. However, one day I do hope to canter down the centerline at the Olympics."
Photos © Sue Stickle
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Scores: 2007 North American Junior and Young Riders Championships