By Equine Canada

Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON and her mount, Anton, danced their way to a Bronze Medal in the CDIO 3* Grand Prix Freestyle, held April 1, 2016 as the individual final in the Stillpoint Farm Nations’ Cup in Wellington, FL. 

Marking the 12th and final week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), the nations’ cup featured a two-day team competition on March 30 to 31 with top riders from around the world representing their country. Trussell led Canada to the Team Silver medal before moving on to compete for individual honours. 

Competing at night under the lights, Belinda and Anton (Antaeus x Melit), a 16-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner gelding, received a score of 76.35% from a panel of international FEI judges in the Grand Prix Freestyle, securing the individual bronze medal. Americans Laura Graves and Kasey Perry-Glass won gold and silver, respectively. 

“Anton was really spectacular, and I am so excited about the bronze place finish tonight,” says Trussell, who is no stranger to success during the AGDF series, having racked up wins in the Grand Prix division, along with records for personal bests - even breaking a Canadian record for highest score in the Grand Prix Special. “It was a goal for me to be on the podium tonight. I am so proud to be Canadian and part of that podium, representing Canada at a nations’ cup – one of the top events in the world.” 

Also placing in the CDIO 3* Grand Prix Freestyle were Trussell’s nations’ cup teammates, Jacqueline Brooks from Cedar Valley, ON, and Megan Lane from Loretto, ON. 

Brooks and her 2012 London Olympics partner, D Niro (D-Day x Napoleon 625), a 17-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, scored 71.85% to finish in sixth place individually. 

Lane was right behind Brooks, placing seventh (69.375%) with her Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games mount, Caravella (Contango x Riverman), a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare. 

Canada’s 2016 team and individual medals add to an already impressive history in the nations’ cup, having brought home Team Silver and Bronze in 2015, Team Silver in 2014, and Team Bronze in 2013. Canadians have also picked up three individual medals since 2013. 

For more information on the CDIO 3* Stillpoint Farm Nations' Cup, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Photo: Belinda Trussell from Stouffville, ON and Anton danced onto the podium on April 1 in Wellington, FL, winning the Individual Bronze Medal in the 2016 Stillpoint Farm Nations’ Cup for their performance in the CDIO 3* Grand Prix Freestyle. Photo credit: Susan J. Stickle