July 25, 2005 – Toronto, Ontario – International dressage competition will take center stage when the CDI3* Toronto Classic is held at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy, formerly known as York Equestrian Centre, in Cedar Valley, ON, from August 4-7, 2005.

Organized by Equivents, Inc., the first annual CDI3* Toronto Classic has 11 horses entered at the Grand Prix level, the same degree of difficulty at which the Olympic Games and World Championships are contested. Athletes competing at the Grand Prix level include several Olympic, World Championship and Pan American Games veterans such as Jacqueline Brooks, Shannon Dueck, Ashley Holzer, Nancy MacLachlan, Evi Strasser and Belinda Trussell.

The CDI3*/Y/J/P Toronto Classic will feature International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions for Grand Prix, Intermediaire and Prix St. Georges, Young Riders’ and Juniors. Competitors from across Canada, including the western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, are entered, as are numerous American competitors.

Stephen Clarke of Great Britain will serve as President of the Ground Jury, with members Marian Cunningham of Peru, Elizabeth McMullen of Canada, Maribel Alonso de Quinzanos of Mexico, and Linda Zang of the United States. Jessica Ransehousen of the United States will act as President of the Appeals Committee. A national show, sanctioned by Equine Canada and the United States Equestrian Federation, will be held in conjunction with the FEI divisions.

“We have had to close our entries at well over 200 horses and have a waiting list for many more,” noted Equivents, Inc., President, Cara Whitham, who will be the first North American to ever judge at the European Dressage Championships, taking place in Germany one week before her own competition. “It is exciting and wonderful that the riders are supporting the show, and it is gratifying to know that my decision to host three CDI events in Canada this year has proven popular with the riders.”

Equivents, Inc., will also organize the CDI3* Ottawa Fall Classic from August 25-28 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park. This competition will host the Dressage Canada National Championships for FEI Young Riders’, FEI Juniors and FEI Ponies as well as the Canadian FEI Young Dressage Horse Finals. All competitions organized by Equivents, Inc., give Canada’s Olympic level riders an opportunity to gain valuable World Cup Qualifying points and also count towards the FEI/BCM World Dressage Rider Rankings.

For more information on any of the competitions organized by Equivents, Inc., including full prize lists and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.equivents.com, e-mail cara@equivents.com or call tel: (613) 692-0097.