Jody Schloss is the recipient of the 2026 Equestrian Canada Para Dressage Athlete of the Year Award, recognizing her outstanding achievements, dedication, and continued excellence representing Canada on the international Para Dressage stage.
Para Dressage Athlete of the Year - Jody Schloss
Jody enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, highlighted by her performance at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, where she competed aboard her longtime partner, El Colorado.
Competing in the Grade I division, Jody and El Colorado delivered a strong performance in the Grand Prix A, earning 70.208% to finish 10th. The pair went on to produce an exceptional performance in the Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle, scoring 73.586% to secure fifth place against some of the world's leading Para Dressage combinations.
The Freestyle result marked a significant milestone for Jody and El Colorado, representing a substantial international personal best and one of Canada's strongest individual performances at the 2026 World Championships.
Para Dressage Horse of the Year – El Colorado
El Colorado, affectionately known as "Denny," is the recipient of the 2026 Para Dressage Horse of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements and contributions to Canadian Para Dressage on the international stage.
Owned and ridden by Canadian Para Dressage athlete Jody Schloss, the 17-year-old KWPN gelding has become a fan favourite and an integral part of Canada's international Para Dressage program.
Representing Canada at the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, El Colorado demonstrated his talent, consistency, and exceptional partnership with Jody. Competing against some of the world's leading Para Dressage combinations, the pair delivered a memorable performance in the Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle, earning an impressive 73.586% to finish fifth.
This outstanding result marked a significant milestone for the partnership, reflecting their continued development, mutual trust, and dedication to competing successfully at the highest level of international Para Dressage.
Para Dressage Owner of the Year – Jody Schloss
Jody Schloss is the recipient of the 2026 Para Dressage Owner of the Year Award, recognizing her exceptional dedication, commitment, and investment in the development and success of her longtime partner, El Colorado.
In addition to being named the 2026 Para Dressage Athlete of the Year, Jody is honoured for her important role as the owner of El Colorado. Her commitment to his care, training, preparation, and overall well-being has been instrumental in developing a successful partnership capable of competing at the highest level of international Para Dressage for many years.
Their achievements throughout the 2026 season were highlighted by their representation of Canada at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, where the pair delivered an outstanding performance in the Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle, earning 73.586% and finishing fifth in the world.
Para Dressage Volunteer of the Year – Wendy Christoff
Wendy Christoff is the recipient of the 2026 Para Dressage Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication and longstanding commitment to the advancement of Dressage and Para Dressage in Canada.
to Wendy Christoff
With an extensive history of volunteer service, Wendy has played an important role in shaping and supporting Canadian Dressage and Para Dressage programs. Her contributions include many years of involvement with the High Performance Advisory Group, where she has shared her experience, knowledge, and expertise to support Canada's high-performance athletes and international programs.
Wendy's volunteer efforts extend well beyond committee leadership and high-performance initiatives. Her dedication encompasses athlete development, program planning, governance, fundraising, competition support, and community engagement. Through her willingness to contribute her time, energy, expertise, and resources, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to strengthening the sport at every level.
Much of Wendy's work takes place behind the scenes, where her leadership, collaborative approach, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities have made her a valued and respected member of the Canadian equestrian community.
Related Links
Canadian Team Selected for 2026 World Para Dressage Championships
Mathilde Blais Tetreault and Jody Schloss Earn the Win at 2022 CDI/CPEDI Ottawa
Beatrice De Lavalette and Clarc Have a Winning Return to CPEDI Competition in Wellington