Canadian Olympian Evi Strasser made the trip to England to compete in the prestigious CDI5* EXQUIS World Dressage Masters held July 20-26, 2009 at Hickstead.

The EXQUIS World Dressage Masters sponsors the top five dressage shows in the world in 2009, offering lucrative prize money and attracting the world’s best dressage riders.

Paired with her long-time partner Quantum Tyme, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quattro x Argentinius), Strasser scored 65.702% and finished in 14th place in the Grand Prix class. Strasser and Quantum Tyme competed in Sunday’s Grand Prix Special, finishing in 10th place overall with a score of 64.667%.

“Quantum was in great form in the Grand Prix. Even with me forgetting to execute the rein back in the test we still received a score of 65.79,” said Strasser. “This is the year to polish the new Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special tests. We want to be in peak performance for next year.”

Dressage at Hickstead was also host of a CDI3*, in which Strasser competed her young Grand Prix mount, Action Tyme, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Aktuell x Aleksander).  The pair finished in 13th place in the Grand Prix and 11th place in Grand Prix Special.

“This was Action Tyme’s second time competing at Grand Prix level, and he is getting better with every ride,” Strasser continued. “We have all year to get the tests perfect and to let him grow in this level.”

The international judging panel at the FEI competition included Wim Ernes (FEI O—NED), Katrina Wuest (FEI O—GER), Jaques Van Dael (FEI I—BEL), Wojtek Markowski (FEI O—POL), Stephen Clarke (FEI O—GBR), Peter Holler (FEI I—GER), Marietta Almasy (FEI I—FRA), Isobel Wessels (FEI I—GBR) and Karin Krüger (FEI I—DEN).

Complete results may be found at http://www.cso.dsl.pipex.com/results/events/2009/20090720.htm.