Photo: Belinda Trussel (ON) & Diamanten Dave earned a score of 69.130% during the Grand Prix.
Credit: Eve-Lyne Ouellet
October 3, 2026
Becancour, Quebec – For the first day of the 2026 National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships (East) hosted by Equico Québec at Complexe Équestre Bécancour, Olympians Tom Dvorak and Belinda Trussell respectively took the lead in the FEI Small Tour Open division and the FEI Big Tour Open divisions. Dvorak is riding Feinrich and Trussell is riding Diamanten Dave. As the East Championships conclude Saturday, horse and rider combinations have one more chance to impress the jury and be crowned East Champions: the ranking will be established from the Friday and Saturday cumulative scores.
“We are having 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 are so pleased to see riders from the maritimes, Quebec and Ontario at this amazing competition. It is 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“.
Photo: Tom Dvorak (ON) & Feinrich won the Prix St-Georges with a score of 67.451%.
Credit: Eve-Lyne Ouellet
Veterinary Inspection Awards Recipients Announced
Following the veterinary inspection on Thursday October 1st, 2026, prizes were awarded by the jury for the Horsemanship to Allie Schmidt (Ontario) and Best Dressed to Marylou Boileau (Québec).
Current Leaderboard – Friday
EC National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships – East
Training Division
Open Category: Julie Roy (Québec) & Cadenza
Junior Category: Morgan Baldwin (Ontario) & Bring it On
Amateur Category: Shannon DeLeskie (Ontario) & Kabileno del Lago
First Level Division
Open Category: Beatrice Boucher (Québec) & Daneliya HH
Junior Category: Rosalie Lafrance (Québec) & Leao
Amateur Category: Lindsey Roosendaal (Ontario) & Solei
Second Level Division
Open Category: Billie Boylen (Ontario) & Fuerstenstanz
Junior Category: Sophie Derusha (Québec) & Frankie
Amateur Category: Kim Studzinski (Ontario) & Supernova
Third Level Division
Open Category: Beatrice Boucher (Québec) & Prodigio MVL
Amateur Category: Carl-William Sévigny (Québec) & Alberto de Niro
Fourth Level Division
Open Category: Billie Boylen (Ontario) & Fabretina
Amateur Category: Caroline Tétreault (Quebec) & Azzaro
FEI Youth Division
Children: Isla Grant (Ontario) & Wonder Woman
Junior : Adélia Gauthier (Québec) & Fayette DDS
U25: Brooke Mancusi (Quebec) & Kalisto Sollenburg
FEI Small Tour Division
Open: Tom Dvorak (Ontario) & Feinrich
Amateur: Juliette C. Barolet (Quebec) & Freud
FEI Medium Tour Division
Open: Belinda Trussel (Ontario) & Quincy
FEI Big Tour Division
Open: Belinda Trussel (Ontario) & Diamenten Dave
FEI Para Dressage Division
Grade I: Alexandra Vadnais (Quebec) & Alaska du Fjord
Grade IV: Wanda Jamieson (Ontario) & Gered XXII HCI
Stay tuned to discover the National Champions
One more week to go before all Canada will recognize the 2026 Overall National Dressage and Para Dressage Champions: the judges and stewards will travel next week to Thunderbird Show Park for the National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships – (West) and the conclusion of the National Championships. The final rankings will be announced after completion of both legs and the final tabulation of results.
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 the Red & White Fundraiser happening to support our Dressage and Para Dressage teams competing on the world stage (purchase West tickets HERE.)
The West online fundraising auction is open to anyone/anywhere! It includes a broad range of items and experiences whether you are an equestrian or not! Click HERE for the West auction.
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: Allie Schmidt (Ontario), recipient of the Horsemanship Award, presenting Dante’s Admiration during the veterinary inspection.
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
Photo: Marylou Boileau (Québec), recipient of the Best Dressed Award, presenting Miss Confetti CF during the veterinary inspection.
Credit: Eve-Lyne Ouellet
Photo: Para Athlete Alexandra Vadnais (Québec) & her Quebec bred mare Alaska du Fjord finished with a score of 66.319% in the Grade I Grand Prix A.
Credit: Eve-Lyne Ouellet