November 10, 2004 – Toronto, Ontario – Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, enjoyed victory in the opening Grand Prix test of the Canadian League Dressage World Cup Final on Wednesday, November 10, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, Ontario.

The country’s five highest-ranked horse-rider combinations competed in the Canadian League Final with Reid earning the highest score, 69.292%, riding the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Mark. Reid last competed in the Canadian League Dressage World Cup Final, used to determine Canada’s sole representative at the annual World Cup Final, in 1996 when she was victorious riding Seafox.

Finishing second was Reid’s 2004 Athens Olympic teammate, Cindy Ishoy of Binbrook, ON. Riding Proton, her 10-year-old German-bred gelding, Ishoy earned a score of 68.792% from the panel of five international judges. Ishoy remains the highest-placed Canadian ever at the World Cup Final, placing second in 1988 riding Dynasty.

Evi Strasser of Ste-Adele, QC, placed a close third, scoring 67.667% for her performance on Quantum Tyme, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding. Strasser has represented Canada at the 1995 and 1997 World Cup Finals and would love to earn an appearance at the 2005 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, NV.

Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON, placed fourth with a score of 64.500% riding the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Gran Gesto, while the only male competitor to qualify for the Canadian League Final, Jon Costin of Puslinch, ON, rounded out the top five with his eight-year-old Hannoverian gelding, Wholio.

Reid, Ishoy, Strasser and Brooks now advance to the Grand Prix Freestyle to be held on Thursday, November 11. Overwhelmingly popular, the Grand Prix Freestyle sees riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice making for a unique combination of performance and artistry.

Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances can be purchased through Ticketmaster at tel: 416 872-7777 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules, please visit www.royalfair.org or call tel: 416 263-3400.

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Rider, Hometown, Horse, Score
1. Leslie Reid Langley, BC Mark 69.292%
2. Cindy Ishoy Binbrook, ON Proton 68.792%
3. Evi Strasser Ste-Adele, QC Quantum Tyme 67.667%
4. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Gran Gesto 64.500%
5. Jon Costin Puslinch, ON Wholio 62.792%