August 19, 2006 – Toronto, Ontario – The first annual CDI3* Toronto CNE Dressage Classic made its debut from August 10 to 12 in Toronto, ON.

Held at the Ricoh Coliseum, site of the famous Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the indoor dressage competition was a hit with competitors, spectators and officials alike. The Ricoh Coliseum also happens to be situated at Exhibition Place in the heart of Toronto, which plays host to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) each August. Knox Henry, President of the Canadian National Exhibition Association, gave his full support to the CDI3* Toronto CNE Dressage Classic, helping to ensure its success.

With the Canadian Dressage Team already in Germany for the 2006 World Equestrian Games, the stage was set for a new champion to emerge victorious in the Grand Prix. Five entries rose to the challenge with Jon Costin of Freelton, ON, coming out on top. Riding Wholio, his 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding by Warkant, Costin earned a score of 63.292% from the five-member panel of international judges. Taking second with a score of 62.792% was Jessica Costello of Mount Albert, ON, and Litmanen, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Judy Elliott.

While Costello may have settled for second in the Grand Prix, that was not the case in the Freestyle. There, she and the little chestnut gelding danced their way to victory, earning an impressive score of 68.20%. Tina Busse-Irwin, who had been third in the Grand Prix, finished runner-up in the Freestyle with a score of 67.65%. Despite having only just made her Grand Prix debut this year, the 25-year-old showed practiced poise riding Amicelli, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by the thoroughbred sire, Amigo xx, owned by her mother and fellow dressage competitor, Ute Busse, and Wendy Beresford.

Despite the fact that two of the judges - Great Britain's Stephen Clarke and Canada's own Elizabeth McMullen, had him to win, Costin only managed third place in the Freestyle with 67.30%. The only Grand Prix competitor with extensive international experience, Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON, took fourth after earning 66.10% riding her 10-year-old Ukrainian Warmblood gelding, Ariston.

In the small tour, there was no catching Gillian Sutherland of Unionville, ON, who is now enjoying her third season of showing Great Tyme. She and her nine-year-old liver chestnut Oldenburg gelding made easy work of the division, posting scores of 69.05% in the Prix St. Georges, 69.15% in the Intermediaire I, and 70.95% in the Intermediaire Freestyle. With an eye on next year's Pan American Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sutherland and Great Tyme are establishing themselves as heavy favourites to make their Canadian Dressage Team debut.

"Great Tyme was a superstar!" raved Sutherland. "The show was super - the footing was very good, and everything ran very smoothly."

Like Sutherland, Cecile von Martels of Ridgetown, ON, also dominated her division. Trained by her older brother, Chris, von Martels won the Young Riders' Team test, the Young Riders' Individual test, and, with a score of 66.55%, the Young Riders' Freestyle riding Downtown, her 10-year-old Westphalian gelding.

Organized by Walter Shanly, who many will remember as the man behind the CDI-W Sunnybrook Dressage Show formerly staged in a city park in the middle of Toronto, and managed by Cara Whitham, who also runs two CDI's of her own each year, the CDI3* Toronto CNE Dressage Classic offered great competition as well as a welcome respite from the heat. While some initially questioned the appeal of holding an indoor show during the height of summer, they quickly found the answer in the fully air-conditioned Ricoh Coliseum!

"One competitor said, 'no flies, and no heat - what more could you ask for at a summer show?'," laughed Whitham. "Overall, the riders were thrilled. Our goal of offering an indoor competition with a European flavour was supported by very positive comments from the riders. We were also very pleased with the overall manner in which the facility lent itself to a dressage show, and the staff at the show grounds were excellent."

"The show was absolutely fantastic," added Shanly, whose long-term focus is on bringing international competition to Toronto. "Cara did a tremendous job, the competitors couldn't have been more obliging and the officials were very pleased."

While the competitors raved about this year's CDI3* Toronto CNE Dressage Classic, the organizers hint at something bigger and better for their second annual show, scheduled for August 7-11, 2007. "We are going to expand the show next year and I think the response from the competitors will be overwhelming," promises Shanly.

The CDI3* Toronto CNE Dressage Classic is one of only five World Cup Qualifying events held in Canada. For more information, please visit www.equivents.com. Complete results can be found at www.foxvillage.com.

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Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Jon Costin Freelton, ON Wholio 63.292%
2. Jessica Costello Mount Albert, ON Litmanen 62.792%
3. Tina Busse-Irwin Lakefield, ON Amicelli 61.50%
4. Nancy MacLachlan Terra Cotta, ON Ariston 60.625%
5. Karin Davis Australia Mighty Heights 58.583%

Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Jessica Costello Mount Albert, ON Litmanen 68.20%
2. Tina Busse-Irwin Lakefield, ON Amicelli 67.65%
3. Jon Costin Freelton, ON Wholio 67.30%
4. Nancy MacLachlan Terra Cotta, ON Ariston 66.10%