“One of the problems with the para dressage tests is, in some ways they're incredibly simple, and in other ways, are incredibly complex,” commented Sheffield.
PARA DRESSAGE
August 22, 2026 - Aachen, Germany – The Canadian Para dressage team completed their Grand Prix ‘B’ tests, the second phase of the team competition and final qualifier for the Freestyle to music taking place Sunday.
Jody Schloss (Toronto, ON) and Roberta (Bert) Sheffield of Lincolnshire, UK, who did their B tests Friday, have both qualified to go through to the Grand Prix Freestyle round, in Grades I and II respectively.
Roberta (Brt) Sheffield & Nardando © Cealy Tetley Photo
Sheffield, who had an uncharacteristic error of course in her Grand Prix A test earlier in the week, was particularly nervous Friday morning, eager to not make another mistake. She outlined that while able-bodied tests are designed to flow from element to element, with connecting steps in between, para dressage tests are less so, making them much less intuitive and therefore more difficult to remember.
“One of the problems with the para dressage tests is, in some ways they're incredibly simple, and in other ways, are incredibly complex,” commented Sheffield. “Where an able-bodied test has an element of a movement linking each other together as preparation for each other, we don't have that in the grade two para test. It can be quite difficult to remember which movements you've done and which ones you haven't. I was riding this test absolutely making sure that I did not go wrong this time.
“I was really trying to ride (Nardando) forward, he felt more confident than he did earlier in the week. Because he's a young horse, he can tend to get a little flat. Keeping him uphill can be more of a challenge than it would be with a more established horse. That will come with time.”
Jody Schloss and El Colorado © Cealy Tetley Photo
Grade I level Para dressage rider Jody Schloss remarked that the biggest improvements from her Grand Prix A to B test this week was accuracy. “I worked on visualization a lot (after my first test). I pictured in my mind exactly what we needed to do, and El Colorado (Denver, at home) executed perfectly.”
When asked what her favourite part of her Freestyle is and what she is most looking forward to, Schloss broke into her trademark grin and started dancing in her seat. “I love the music! And Denver’s attitude is ‘OK – Let’s GO!’”
Schloss and Denver scored a 71.917% and Sheffield and Nardando scored a 67.100% to each finish in 6th in their divisions.
Eleonore Elstone and Szecrecy HP © Cealy Tetley Photo
Langley, BC’s Eleonore Elstone and Ladysmith, BC’s Laura Hall performed their B tests Saturday. Elstone’s mount Szecrecy HP, owned by Rachel Blaney and Joshua Carlsen, gave a clean, accurate test which pleased Elstone as the mare is only seven which is young for a horse competing at a World Championships.
“We had a really good warm-up, and (Szecrecy) felt amazing while I was getting ready to enter the ring,” said Elstone. “We lost a little of that pizzazz in the ring itself. But this was her very first indoor show, in a huge environment, and the B test is a difficult test with challenging elements. All these pieces will come together with age and experience.”
Laura Hall & Istrano © Cealy Tetley Photo
Hall expressed that her horse Istrano was somewhat tense in the warm-up due to the cooler temperatures and windy conditions, and some of that tension carried through to their test today.
“We improved on some of the movements today,” said Hall, “I think I rode better today than in our last test, and I was also trying to remember to enjoy being here, to breathe and to just be in the moment. I rode my halts better, and my position was better. We will regroup from here and keep going. Being at Aachen has been an amazing experience, thrilling and exciting. I’m honoured to have been able to represent Canada and be part of this team.”
Team Technical Advisor Clive Milkins remarked how pleased he was with the performance of the entire group this week: “Over multiple days of intense competition for the team title in the world, all four of our Canadian athletes gave solid performances. For the first time ever, we have qualified two riders in the Freestyle. I could not be more proud of the performance that all grooms (and I deliberately say grooms first,) all horses and all athletes have given. Their contribution to Canada’s sporting life has been exemplary. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and support this week here at the World Championships."
For Sunday’s Freestyles, Roberta (Bert) Sheffield and Nardando will lead off the Grade II class at 9:30am, and Jody Schloss and El Colorado are in the Grade I class at 10:58am (all times local.)
JUMPING
Chris Pratt & Ideaal ES © Cealy Tetley
Canada Narrowly Edged out of Individual Jumping Final:
Chris Pratt and Kyle Timm Currently First and Second Reserve for Sunday’s Round of 25.
Riding Casino Calvin for the Rein Family LLC and Tara Dow-Rein, Kyle Timm had the good fortune of going very early in the order Friday evening in the Team Final and Individual Qualifier. They had the unlucky first rail down, but as Timm stated after the round, jumped the rest of the course a “10 out of 10.”
Pratt rode Ideaal ES, owned by Take the High Road LLC’s Karen Long Dwight and her husband Glen Fleischer. They also had just one rail down Friday night.
“The pole that I had down, he gave such a good effort at the jump before it,” explained Pratt following the round. “I didn't get the perfect distance jumping into the pair of fences, and he was not able to clear the second effort in the combination.”
Pratt also remarked that “Big Al” is still a developing horse, and it was less than a year ago when he jumped his first 5* Grand Prix.
Chef d’Equipe, Ian Millar stated both horse and rider combinations were outstanding over a very demanding course, and they represented Canada beautifully.
Both Pratt and Timm jogged their horses Saturday afternoon (had them approved by the veterinary panel,) in the event they should qualify for Sunday’s individual final. They currently sit as first and second reserves respectively.
Kyle Timm & Casino Calvin © Cealy Tetley Photo
Fares Azouni & I'm Special © Cealy Tetley
Canadian Young Rider (U21) Fares Azouni, rode I’m Special for Ahmad Azouni and Maisa Al Saidi to a win Saturday afternoon, as part of a Team competition. Combined with JJ Torano and Lyon 50 (USA), the team of Azouni, Mabkhout Owaida Alkirbi with Diabla PS (UAE) and Olivia Sponer with Bingo du Chateau (GBR) edged out the second placed team by one one-hundredth of a second to take the win. Azouni and I’m Special also had an 8th place finish in Friday afternoon’s 1.40m Prize of STAWAG class.
Team Canada What to Watch!
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Para Dressage
GP Freestyle, Grade III + II + I
2 AM to 7:05 AM
GP Freestyle, Grade IV + V
7:25 AM to 11 AM
Jumping
Individual Finals, 3rd Rating Competition, Round A
8:05 AM to 9:30 AM
Individual Finals, 3rd Rating Competition, Round B
10:10 AM to 11:30 AM
All times EST. All times subject to change.
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