Denielle Gallagher-Legriffon and Camille Carier Bergeron currently sit in individual 23rd and 12th places respectively..
August 11, 2026 - Aachen, Germany – The first two members of the Canadian Dressage Team took to the competition arena at the FEI World Championships Tuesday August 11, in Aachen Germany. Holding their own among the very best in the world, Denielle Gallagher-Legriffon and Camille Carier Bergeron currently sit in individual 23rd and 12th places respectively. With two of four riders yet to come, Team Canada sits in ninth place overall.
First up, making their senior team debut, Denielle Gallagher-Legriffon of Hampton, NB, rode her own and Ellen Lazarus’s Come Back de Massa, a 14-year-old Lusitano gelding (Galopin de la Font / Quixote) bred Élevage Massa (Sylvain Massa). The main ring at this historic venue is impressive and atmospheric on a “regular” show day, let alone with the buzz which the World Championships bring.
Denielle Gallagher-Legriffon and Come Back de Massa. Photo by Cealy Tetley
The pair have done smaller Nations Cup competitions in the past, and were second reserve for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but this was their biggest test (in all senses) to date.
“I felt so ready,” remarked Denielle Tuesday following their class. “I always get this little sense of nervousness right before I go into the arena. But today as I was standing at the gate into the ring, I thought he’s ready for this. He’s going to be fine. And he was. It was one of our best tests ever.” The pair scored an overall mark of 68.074%, to currently sit in 23rd place overall.
Camille Carier Bergeron Finnlanderin. Photo by Cealy Tetley
Our second competitor of the day was the seasoned partnership of Camille Carier Bergeron of Laval, Quebec, with her own, Gilles Bergeron and Marc-Antony Lussier’s Finnlanderin, a 16-year-old Oldenburg mare (Fidertanz / Donnerhall.)
A Pan-American Games medalist (with Sound of Silence 4 in 2023) and Paris Olympian with Finnlanderin, the pair comes to the World Championships with a wealth of experience under their belt. An enthusiastic Camille met with the press in the mixed zone after her test and explained how very careful management from her entire team, from groom to nutritionist and veterinarians, blacksmith etc. contribute to being in top form or “peaking” at the perfect time for an important competition.
“I think this was one of the best Grand Prix’s we have done,” Camille remarked. “I know (Finnlanderin) more since the Paris Olympics -- we are stronger together now. I have two years more experience with her, and more confidence in her and in myself.” When asked what her favourite part of her test was, she immediately replied “my one-tempis” (a series of flying changes where the horse appears to ‘skip’). “Lately I’ve been feeling very confident about them. I went into the arena and really felt ‘I’ve got this.’ Finn loves the energy and loves the crowd. It was very quiet during the actual test but even if it had been louder she would have just loved it more.”
The pair were awarded a respectable 70.559% from the judges to sit in 12th place overnight.
Following Camille’s test, Team Technical Advisor Jordi Domingo-Coll remarked “I’m extremely proud of our two riders today. They both delivered some of the best performances I have seen from them so far, especially considering the atmosphere and pressure of a World Championship in Aachen. They rode with confidence, focus and really showed what they are capable of. Their performances have put Canada in a strong position after the first day, and I’m very excited to see what the second part of our team can bring tomorrow. We have a great team spirit, and we will keep fighting for every point.”
The second half of the Dressage Grand Prix Team Final & Individual qualifier competition goes Wednesday, where Canada has Brittany Fraser Beaulieu, of Saint Bruno, QC, with Jaccardo and Chris von Martels of Ridgetown, Ontario, with Londoncrown competing. Chris rides at 11:05 and Brittany at 16:05, both local time.
Team Canada Vaulting presented their horses to the ground jury and veterinary panel for inspection Tuesday afternoon. San Felice was briefly held and checked more closely by the panel. Upon re-presenting, he was cleared to participate fully.
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About the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026
Aachen is continuing its tradition of hosting numerous World and European Championships: Following the FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 and the European Championships 2015, the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 will once again be one of the biggest equestrian sport events of the coming years.
FEI World Championships Aachen by the Numbers – Dressage
• 91 horse and rider combinations
• 19 teams with 3-4 riders each
• 17 individual riders
• Competitions: Grand Prix (Tuesday and Wednesday) / Grand Prix Spécial / Grand Prix Freestyle
• Team Final: Wednesday
• Individual Final Grand Prix Spécial: Friday
• Individual Final Grand Prix Freestyle: Saturday evening under floodlight
The World Championships will host six disciplines: Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Para Dressage, Driving and Vaulting.
In the team classifications of the Dressage, Jumping, Eventing and Para Dressage, the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 is the first qualifying event for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028 in Los Angeles.
Find more information at www.Aachen2026.com
About Equestrian Canada
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 7500 horses, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada. EC is a Canadian registered charity as a Registered Charity Amateur Athletic Assocation (RCAAA) and thanks the Government of Canada for their financial support.
Team Canada is supported by Mad Barn, Ecclestone Horse Transport Inc. (EHT), 4CYTE™, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, the Government of Canada, Ogilvy Equestrian, LeMieux, Prostock Athletic Supply Ltd, and Talisman Custom Fly Bonnets.
Photos: Cealy Tetley
Source: Equestrian Canada