 Esther and Hernando When Esther Mortimer enters her next CDI, there will be a maple leaf on her saddle pad. After representing Guatemala since she was a teenager, Esther has officially switched her Sport Nationality to Canada. The change of Sport Nationality comes at a critical time, with Equestrian Canada’s qualifying period for the 2023 Pan American Games set to begin on January 1. A first or second place finish at the Pan Ams would qualify a Canadian dressage team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Due to an unresolved internal dispute between the National Olympic Committee of Guatemala (NOC) and relevant Guatemalan authorities, the International Olympic Committee has suspended the NOC. The IOC suspension means Guatemala's athletes cannot represent their country at the Olympic Games and the NOC is blocked from any IOC funding. “Guatemala gave me so many opportunities and I am so very grateful,” says Mortimer. “I’ve been proud to represent the country since I was a young rider and it has been the most incredible experience. However, I’m also a proud Canadian. My business is here, my clients are here, and I’ve chosen to raise my family here, so the idea of competing for Canada has crossed my mind over the years. With this unfortunate situation, Guatemalan athletes will be missing two Olympic cycles, so the timing seemed right to switch Sport Nationalities now. Guatemala will always be a part of me but I’m looking forward to this new chapter and the opportunity to represent Canada on the international stage.” “I’ve had so many horses that had strengths in certain areas, but Hernando seems to be strong in them all,” says Mortimer. “I believe he has the heart and the will to go all the way. It’s absolutely incredible how much we have achieved together just in the past year and a half. I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from my family, clients, and sponsors, and I’m very excited to see what the coming season will bring.” Dressage night at Toronto's Royal Winter Fair is always special. This year is more exciting than ever for students and friends of M2 Dressage as Esther Mortimer has been invited to take part. Esther will join 3 other top riders on Tuesday, November 8 to perform their Grand Prix Freestyles in a gala tribute to Canadian Dressage legend Evi Pracht:
The evening performance follows the Equestrian Canada Dressage / Para Dressage Reception held at the Tanbark Club. The reception is a fundraiser in support of our 2024 Olympic teams and will include a special live auction, as well as the presentation of annual awards. To purchase your tickets to the reception and dressage night at the Royal please send the following completed form to Christine Reupke at the Royal via email (creupke@royalfair.org): bit.ly/EC-DressageReceptionTicketForm M2 Dressage was thrilled to be chosen as the Ontario host site for Cadora's "Building a Better Dressage Horse" symposium with FEI 5* judge Stephen Clarke. We welcomed more than 100 spectators at the farm for two exciting days of lessons and learning featuring horses from Training Level to Grand Prix. Three M2 pairs were selected to ride in the clinic: Megan Kinsella and Viva's Ravenno at PSG, Isabella Bender and Bacara da Broa riding the U25 Grand Prix, and Esther Mortimer and Hernando at Grand Prix. What a privilege for these talented riders to learn from one of the top dressage judges in the world!  Everyone is complaining about the heat and humidity right now but don't be fooled; winter is coming! How do you want to spend it? You could be battling icy paddocks, frozen water buckets and snow sliding off the arena roof, or you could be training in the Florida sun at M2 South. A limited number of training stalls are available at our beautiful winter base in the White Fences Equestrian Center. Enjoy an airy barn with climate controlled tack room and laundry on site, multiple rings with top-notch footing, a competitive show series held on the property, miles of safe hacking, and a convenient location just a short drive from Wellington and the Global Dressage Festival. To reserve your stall please contact Esther or Harper as soon as possible. What a thrilling weekend at the Caledon CDI2* Dressage at Angelstone! Esther and Hernando made their CDI Grand Prix debut and did not disappoint, earning a win for Guatemala on a total score of 69.384%. Hopes are high this is just the first of many international wins for this pair as they begin their journey towards the PanAm Games and the Olympics. Another exciting CDI debut for the M2 Dressage team was 16-year-old Isabella Bender and her partner Bacara de Broa. The pair made their first CDI appearance in the U25 division, competing in the Intermediate II and Grand Prix. What a bright future for this talented teenager! Would you and your horse like to winter in pony paradise? Book now to secure your stall for winter 2023 at M2 South in Loxahatchee, Florida. Our winter base is conveniently located in the gated White Fences equestrian community and offers: - Multiple all-weather rings with GGT sand footing - Bright and airy barn with spacious stalls - Climate controlled tack room - Ample turnout - Miles of hacking - Competitive show series held on site - Short drive to Wellington and the Global Dressage Festival Come train in the sun with us! Contact Esther for more information and to book your stall.  We're so happy to be here! All the M2 Dressage horses travelled well and are happily settled in at our beautiful M2 South facility at the White Fences Equestrian Centre. We're all looking forward to an exciting season of training, learning, and competing in the Florida sun. We're pleased to be offering schoolmaster lessons this season on our Grand Prix professor Westeross - please contact Esther if you'd like to ride with us this winter.
If you've ever dreamed of experiencing the Grand Prix movements or learning the ropes of the upper levels, M2 Dressage is pleased to offer a unique opportunity this winter. Our exceptional Grand Prix schoolmaster Westeross will be available for schoolmaster lessons during the winter 2022 season. Train with Esther or Harper in the Florida sun at our winter base at the beautiful White Fences equestrian centre near Wellington. For more information or to book a lesson package, contact Esther.   More than 200 horses filled Caledon Equestrian Park in September for the final competition of the series hosted by Caledon Dressage. Once again we were delighted to have a strong team of horses and riders representing M2 Dressage.
Congratulations to our students Jeannette, Frances, Amy, Izzy and Kaylea for their great results. It was a very special weekend for Kaylea as she made her FEI debut aboard our talented schoolmaster Westeross. Esther had a busy weekend with three horses competing in the FEI levels. Sales horse Linosso achieved solid scores, while Adajio enjoyed a successful return to the site of his 2015 Pan Am Games performance. Esther's new partner Hernando confirmed his rising star status with scores over 70%. We are so excited to watch this partnership continue to develop over the winter season in Florida. Thanks to the wonderful volunteers at Caledon Dressage for organizing such a welcoming and well-run show series, and of course to our incredible team of staff, clients, and family members for making 2021 the best show season possible. Here's to 2022! It was another wonderful weekend for Esther and her future star Hernando, as the pair continues to build their partnership at home and in the show ring. The pair tackled the Inter A test at last weekend's Caledon Dressage show, with solid scores of 69% plus. Thanks to Sue Schramayr for her incredible support and help in making thi future dream team a reality. |
