Belinda Trussell and Tom Dvorak Win Senior Titles at 2026 Canada East Dressage Championships

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2026 Canadian Dressage Championships

The 2026 Canadian Dressage and Para Dressage Championships – East came to its conclusion Saturday 3 October 2026 at Complexe Équestre Bécancour, where twenty-two National Champion (East) titles were awarded in various divisions and categories to the horse and rider combinations who most impressed the judges over the course of the two-day competition.

The East Champions were crowned based on the ranking established from the Friday and Saturday cumulative scores.

Dvorak and Trussel Take East Senior Titles

Olympians Tom Dvorak and Belinda Trussell took the titles in the FEI Small Tour Open division and the FEI Big Tour Open divisions. Dvorak is riding Feinrich and Trussell is riding Diamanten Dave.

Only four riders competed in the big tour East championship and seasoned team rider Belinda Trussell twice topped the board with Diamanten Dave, a 12-year old Hanoverian by Don Index x Hohenstein. She scored 69.130% in the Grand Prix and 67.979% in the Special. The other three competitors in the field were Tom Dvorak (Hernando), Maya Markowski (Radar) and Dominique Fortier (Royal Skills).

In the small tour Open division Tom Dvorak led the way on 13-year old Oldenburg stallion Feinrich (by Furst Heinrich x Sir Donnerhall), winning the Prix St Georges with 67.451% and the Intermediaire I with 66.422%. He was challenged for the lead by second and third placed pairs Allie Schmidt on Levenslust C (by Trafalgar x Johnson) and Vicky Chretien on Must Be A Dream (by Dream Boy x Spielberg).

Brooke Mancusi, Adélia Gauthier and Isla Grant (2026 North American Youth Championships Medallists,) Pan American Medallist Béatrice Boucher were also among the recipients among other up and coming talents.

“It is such a great initiative for Canada to have these Championships. Since last year, the Championships have given everyone additional motivation," shared Adélia Gauthier, currently second on the Canadian ranking for the FEI Junior with her horse Fayette DDS.

On their performance this week-end, which earned them the title of East Champions, Gauthier said “I think it went really well. Fayette is a horse that gives all her heart. I could not have a better partner. She works hard, she is with me always." The Championships is the final competition for the pair this season, and, before they head back to training, they are taking advantage of the Becancour Gold Dressage Competition Sunday October 4th to try out the FEI Young Rider test as they are considering advancing to this level next season.

Overall National Titles After West Coast Championships

The ground jury is composed of Brenda Minor (Ontario), Joan MacCartney (Ontario), Jayne Essig (British Columbia), Margaret Boyce (British Columbia), Karen Michele Ashbee (Alberta).

“We had the pleasure of judging many high quality horse and rider teams," said Brenda Minor, FEI Level 3 / 4* judge and president of the Ground Jury. "We were so pleased to see riders from the maritimes, Quebec and Ontario at this amazing competition. It was an honor to be asked to be part of the officiating panel which consists of judges and stewards from eastern and western Canada. The facility is one of the best in Canada and the organizers plan to host international competitions in the future, another great asset for Canada“

“Last year I competed in the FEI Small Tour Open division“, shared Jayne Essig (BC), the EC Senior Dressage Judge who presided over the Equine Signature Arena on October 2nd. “It is wonderful to be here as a judge this year. The riders today did an incredible job“.

The ground jury and stewards Stephanie Boyles (Québec) and Patrick Dunn (British Columbia) will now travel to Thunderbird Show Park on 7 - 9 October for the 2026 Canada Dressage and Para Dressage Championships (West).

Upon the conclusion of the West division, the overall 2026 National Champions will be crowned.

2026 Canada Dressage and Para Dressage Champions – East - FEI Levels

FEI Youth
Children: Isla Grant (Ontario) & Wonder Woman
Junior : Adélia Gauthier (Québec) & Fayette DDS
U25: Brooke Mancusi (Quebec) & Kalisto Sollenburg

FEI Small Tour
Open: Tom Dvorak (Ontario) & Feinrich
Amateur: Juliette C. Barolet (Quebec) & Freud

FEI Medium Tour
Open: Belinda Trussell (Ontario) & Quincy

FEI Big Tour
Open: Belinda Trussell (Ontario) & Diamanten Dave

FEI Para Dressage
Grade I: Alexandra Vadnais (Quebec) & Alaska du Fjord
Grade IV: Wanda Jamieson (Ontario) & Gered XXII HCI

Complete scores here.