2023 Ottawa Dressage Festival
This year marked the 20th Anniversary of the Ottawa Dressage Festival, held at Wesley Clover Parks. The Ottawa Dressage Festival is Canada’s largest dressage show. It is a private, not-for-profit organization and the show has been organized by volunteers since 2003.
This year’s Festival ran from Thursday, May 18 - Sunday, May 21. Once again, I was very happy to be returning as one of the official photographers. In fact, a couple of my photos got published in Horse Sport’s newsletter!
Riders were competing to earn points to qualify for the 2023 FEI North American Youth Championships, the 2023 Pan American Games, the 2024 Paralympic Games and the Ontario Equestrian Dressage Development Series. There were a lot of competitions running concurrently throughout the four days: an international FEI-accredited CDI/CPEDI show, an Equestrian Canada accredited National Gold show, the National Dressage Pony Cup and Rising Stars competitions.
“The Jog” took place on Thursday afternoon.
What is “the Jog”? It’s an inspection of the horses by a panel of judges and veterinarians to ensure that each horse that is competing in an internationally-sanctioned dressage competition is sound and ready. The horses competing in the international FEI-accredited CDI/CPEDI show had to participate in the Jog.
How does the Jog work? First, the horse and rider enter the ring and the horse is given a ‘once-over’ by the judges / vets. Then the horse and rider jog down the ring, along a specified path. They turn around at the end and return to the start.
You can also see some judges / vets behind the Leveza sign. Some judges / vets remain at the start and some are on the side, so that the horses are viewed from every angle while jogging.
I especially love how in sync the riders legs are with their horses!
On opening night, the Dressage Festival hosted the RCMP Musical Ride’s inaugural performance of their 2023 season. We were so lucky to see the Musical Ride so up close and personal. I even went to watch them warming up / practicing (on the grounds) before their show.
This year is the RCMP 150th anniversary tour. The Musical Ride is touring Canada extensively with stops tentatively scheduled for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. If you have never seen the RCMP Musical Ride I highly encourage you to go! Check out their 2023 schedule here.
Below are photos of para-dressage rider Jody Schloss on her gorgeous horse El Colorado, competing in the CPEDI3* Grade I Grand Prix. This was one of the competitions where points are earned to qualify for the 2024 Paralympic Games. It was exciting to watch a rider that might be part of Canada’s Olympic team in the future!
There is always a special connection between horse and rider. This can be so clearly seen in a photo I took of a quiet moment after Jody’s very successful ride. You can feel the love and respect between them.
We had some great weather and stellar rides during the four days of Ottawa Dressage Festival 2023 …
There were also some rogue Canada geese that wanted to participate in the dressage competition! This one has pretty good form, nice curve to its neck but it could be bent a little more (not that I’m judging, lol) …
Here are some photos of Young Riders and Rising Stars, the future of Canada’s dressage and proving that good things do come in small(er) packages …
We had some rain on the Saturday but the show must go on, including a demo from On The Bit, explaining the importance of a properly fitting bit for your horse.
And last, but not least … fans, family and friends being supportive rain or shine.
The lady sitting on the chair is very allergic to horses. But that did not stop her from showing up at the Ottawa Dressage Festival’s 20th Anniversary to cheer on the riders. She was able to set up a chair under the big tent at Wesley Clover Parks and have a great view of the Lepine Ring.
As for the dogs, the humans are watching the horses and riders; the dogs are looking at … I don’t know?!?! LOL.
If you want to see if I photographed any of your ODF2023 tests, please drop me a line. If I did photograph it and you are interested in purchasing some photos, please check out my Equestrian Competitions page for information.
If I didn’t catch your test this year, I recommend that you reach out in advance next year (a week or two before the Dressage Festival) so that I can schedule you in. Or contact me if you’re in any other Ottawa area dressage competitions in 2023 and would like me to photograph your ride.