August 25, 2006 – Ottawa, Ontario – Jon Costin of Freelton, ON, won the Grand Prix on Friday at the CDI3* Ottawa Fall Dressage Classic taking place at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON, from August 24-27.

Costin and Wholio earned a score of 63.333% to top the Grand Prix field. This is Costin's third season competing with his 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding at the Grand Prix level, the same level of difficulty that the Olympic Games are contested at.

Finishing second was Jessica Costello of King City, ON, who earned a score of 60.458% riding Litmanen to edge Australian native Karin Davies who earned 59.875% with her 21-year-old Australian thoroughbred gelding, Mighty Heights. This is the first full season that Costello has contested the Grand Prix level with the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Judy Elliott, and the pair are forming a stronger partnership with each appearance.

"I was thrilled with my horse," said Costello, 37. "I didn't ride very well today, and he just took charge and took care of me. My goal this year is to qualify for the Canadian League World Cup Final at the Royal Horse Show."

The CDI3* Ottawa Fall Dressage Classic is one of five World Cup Qualifying events held in Canada, and the top five riders in the standings at the end of the season will contest the Canadian League World Cup Final at Toronto's Royal Horse Show in November. From there, the winner will represent Canada at the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA.

In the CDI division of Prix St. Georges, Gillian Sutherland of Unionville, ON, emerged victorious riding Great Tyme, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding. The pair earned a score of 68.083% to edge local competitor, Susanne Dutt-Roth of Merrickville, ON, who scored 65.167% riding Rheirattack, her 10-year-old Canadian Sport Horse stallion.

The CDI3* Ottawa Fall Dressage Classic is also hosting the Dressage Canada National FEI Youth Championship for the divisions of Young Riders', Pony Riders, Children's, and Junior Riders. Local competitor Amy McIlwham of Ottawa, ON, got the weekend off to a strong start by winning the FEI Young Riders' Team test with a score of 66.667%. The 20-year-old Carleton University student was riding Marzipan, a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by Mike and Susan Nash.

Danielle McKinnon of Aurora, ON, won the FEI Junior Team test with a score of 66.75% riding Noma Tender, a 15-year-old Polish Warmblood gelding. Tatianna Turcotte of Mont Royale, QC, topped the FEI Pony team test with 64.03% riding Serenity's Dream On while Vivian Cornell of Cornwall, ON, won the FEI Children's team test with a score of 64.035% riding Heidschnucke.

The second annual CDI3* Ottawa Fall Classic runs until Sunday, August 27, and admission is free. Highlights include Saturday's Grand Prix Freestyle beginning at 1 p.m. followed by the Intermediaire I at 2:45 p.m. Sunday will feature Freestyle competition, which sees riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice, including the Intermediaire Freestyle at 2:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.equivents.com. Complete results can also be found at www.foxvillage.com.

---

Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Jon Costin Freelton, ON Wholio 63.333%
2. Jessica Costello Mount Albert, ON Litmanen 60.458%
3. Karin Davis Australia Mighty Heights 59.875%


Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Gillian Sutherland Unionville, ON Great Tyme 68.083%
2. Susanne Dutt-Roth Merrickville, ON Rheirattack 65.167%
3 Annaliese Farber Peterborough, ON Harvard 64.333%
4. Ariane Gauthier St. Lazare, QC Deimos 64.250%
5. Liz Steacie Brockville, ON Mikayla 62.333%
6. Alexandra Hosein Wellington, NS Lucky Star 62.333%
7. Lee Tubman Smithville, ON Marquis 62.250%
8. Joan Johnston Kars, ON KRS Wessel 61.583%
9. Armand Valkenborg Hudson, QC Seigneur 59.917%
10. Chris Sanders Port Stanley, ON Van Gogh 56.583%