Monday August 8, 2005

Brooks Begins With a Win at CDI Toronto Dressage Classic

When the National Competition opened on Thursday, it was a familiar name, Jacqueline Brooks, who claimed victory in the Grand Prix. Brooks, who hails from nearby Mount Albert, ON, was riding a newcomer to the Grand Prix ranks, Cipriano, but Brooks’ experience shined through, garnering the pair a score of 64.792%. Brooks was a member of the Silver Medal Team at the 2003 Pan American Games riding Gran Gesto and this year has her sights set on winning a coveted spot at the Canadian League World Cup Final to be held in November at the Royal Horse Show.

Also hailing from Mount Albert was second-place finisher, Jessica Costello. Riding Litmanen, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Judy Elliott, Costello earned a score of 63.125% from the panel of five judges.

Another local rider, Belinda Trussell, whose Stouffville farm, Oakcrest, is just down the road from the Royal Canadian Riding Academy, took third place with a score of 63.125% riding her new acquisition, Blue Hors Testarosa. Owned by Trussell’s husband, Mark, Blue Horse Testarosa is an 11-year-old dark bay Danish Warmblood gelding. An Olympic, World Championship and European Championship veteran, Trussell, 33, celebrated the arrival of her first child just over two months ago and has made a speedy return to the saddle.

While female athletes captured all three top placings in the Grand Prix, the men ruled in the Prix St. Georges division. Canadian Olympian Tom Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON, took top honours for his performance aboard the nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding, Fortissimo, which was rewarded with a score of 69.00% from the judges.

Gary Vander Ploeg of King City, ON, placed second riding Cezanne after earning a score of 67.375%. A veteran member of the Canadian Dressage Team, Vander Ploeg represented his country at the 1990 World Championships and at the 1996 World Cup Final, both held in Sweden.

John MacPherson of Georgetown, ON, placed third riding Laurentino after earning a score of 65.875%. MacPherson was a member of the Silver Medal Team at the 2002 Sydney Dressage Derby held in Australia.