Photo: From left to right: Reba Fournier, Kerry O’Connor, Terrianne Feetham. The team from Dressage PEI includes riders from PEI and Nova Scotia.
Credit: Courtesy of Dressage PEI Team
October 2, 2026
Becancour, Quebec – 94 horse and rider combinations presented themselves at the mandatory veterinary inspection October 1st, 2026 ahead of the National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships – East Division. All but one horse and rider combination, which will be reevaluted Friday October 2, were accepted by the panel composed of Brenda Minor (ON), FEI Dressage Judge Level 3-4*; Joan Macartney (ON), EC Senior Dressage Judge and Dr. Myriam Bisaillon, FEI Veterinary Level 1.
“It was exciting to see so many horse and rider combination so well turned out,” shared Brenda Minor, the president of the Ground Jury. “It will be an interesting first leg of the 2026 National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships. We are very pleased to welcome more participant for this second edition.”
Minor, who had previously judged in Becancour in the CDI competition, praised the venue and its features for high level Dressage events. “It is a marvelous facility for the Canadian Championships.”
Photo: Dr. Reba Fournier, from PEI, presenting Delikat at the veterinay inspection. The pair is currently ranked second in Canada in the FEI Small Tour Amateur division.
Credit: Eve-Lyne Ouellet
The Team Competition begins Friday
As the Championships start on October 2, it also signals the start of the Team Competition that is being offered in addition to the Championships. Horse and rider combinations entered in the Championships can form a team of three riders, with at least one athlete competing in Level 3 or above. The Team competition, sponsored by the Christoff Family Foundation, celebrates teamwork, sportsmanship, excellence and community.
The EAST Championships are being streamed live all weekend on the Équico Québec Inc. Facebook page.
About Équico Québec
Founded by Carine Blaquière, Nathalie Desrosiers and the late Nicole Duplessis, Équico Québec’s mission is to contribute to the development of dressage, para-dressage, and Québec athletes by organizing national- and international-level competitions.
Equico Québec would like to thanks its sponsors and donors for their support – which is making this event possible: Gouvernment of Québec, Simons, Élégance Stables, Equine Signature et Saint-Eustache Chevrolet.
About the Equestrian Canada Dressage and Para Dressage National Championships
Over the course of the qualification period (January through September,) athletes from coast to coast have been working to qualify for an invitation to the Championships based on scores and rankings. In addition to the competition, a number of special activities and events will be held at both the East and West venues. Tickets are on sale for each of the Red & White Fundraisers happening to support our Dressage and Para Dressage teams competing on the world stage (purchase East tickets HERE and West tickets HERE.
There are East and West online fundraising auctions which are open to anyone/anywhere, which include a broad range of items and experiences whether you are an equestrian or not! Click HERE for the East auction and HERE for the West auction. Each will finish during their respective Red & White parties. For those who wish to support on an annual basis, you can join one of the $500 Clubs. Your tax-deductible donation of $500 per year will go directly toward travel, training and competition costs for the team(s) of your choice. Nations Cups, World Championships, Pan-American Games and the Olympics – you can help make it happen for Team Canada! Click HERE to join the Club.
Photo: Béatrice Boucher (QC) and Jolene MTA, a Quebec horse bred at the veterinary inspection. The pair is currently 11th in Canada First level overall ranking.
Credit: Eve-Lyne Ouellet
About Equestrian Canada
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 7500 horses, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada. As a Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Association (RCAAA) EC is able to issue tax receipts for donations. EC thanks the Government of Canada for their financial support.
Team Canada is supported by Mad Barn, Ecclestone Horse Transport Inc. (EHT), 4CYTE™, the Government of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Own the Podium.
For more information
Alexandra Hill, Press officer
ah.alexandrahill@gmail.com