Source:  News Release

Diane Creech Dazzles Crowd During Grand Prix Freestyle
at Royal Horse Show

Ottawa, ON --- Diane Creech of Caistor Centre, ON thrilled the packed Ricoh Coliseum with her winning Grand Prix Freestyle performance during the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup on Nov. 7 at Toronto's Royal Horse Show.

Riding her long-time partner, Devon L, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Louise and Doug Leatherdale, Creech earned a score of 75.417%. Her performance was set to dramatic music choreographed by Karen Robinson, which featured pieces from the hit television show The Tudors.

"He was a wonderful boy. We had lots of power, but he kept it really nice and rhythmic and it was a really good ride. He's a really talented, talented horse," Creech raved about Devon L, who she broke herself and has been riding for over 10 years.

"It's a pretty electric atmosphere, so I think that every horse starts getting a little bit worried. But, I was very happy with him and he felt very confident in there today. I think he had just as much fun as I did," continued Creech, a Pan American Games Team Silver Medalist and alternate for the 2012 London Olympics.

Creech's freestyle win came on top of a second place finish in the opening class of the Royal Invitational Dressage Cup on Nov. 6-a Grand Prix test where she earned a score of 67.801%.

"It's great to be at the Royal. I love the crowd," said Creech, who is now setting her sights on competing in Florida this winter and working on earning the necessary qualification marks to be considered for Canada's Dressage Team at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France. "It takes time for (dressage horses) to develop the confidence to do what they do at home and to bring it out and show it in an environment like this. So, he's getting to that point."

Coming in just behind Creech in second place was David Marcus from Campbellville, ON. His mount was Deborah Kinzinger-Miculinic's 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Chrevi's Capital (who was his partner for the 2012 London Olympics). Marcus scored 72.917% for his entertaining performance to a musical mix of George Michael and Wham!, created by freestyle designer Joost Peters of the Netherlands. Marcus came into the Freestyle on a high note, having won the Grand Prix test the previous day.

Earning third place on a score of 72.042% was two-time Olympian Jacqueline Brooks of Cedar Valley, ON and D Niro, a 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Mary Brooks of Brookhaven Dressage Inc. The duo's high energy performance featured well-loved songs by Canadian artists, including Spirit of the West's "Home for a Rest" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." 

Canadian Olympian and two-time FEI World Cup Finalist Evi Strasser of Sainte-Adele, QC placed fourth after scoring 67.375% with her 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Action Tyme. Her lively freestyle included a mix of songs by the iconic band Genesis.

An awards ceremony followed the competition. In addition to the freestyle awards, a presentation was made to honour Marcus with the Nicoll Trophy (awarded annually to the Royal Horse Show dressage competitor who is highest-placed on the year's FEI Longines Ranking List).  Kinzinger-Miculinic was also presented with the prestigious Dressage Canada "Owner of the Year" award at this time. In addition, she was recognized for her generous sponsorship of this year's $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup.

The Royal Invitational Dressage Cup is a gold-level Equine Canada dressage competition held annually at the Royal Horse Show. Each year the top four Canadian riders in the FEI World Dressage Rankings are invited to attend.

Visit www.royalfair.org for additional information on the Royal Invitational Dressage Cup.

$20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup - Grand Prix Freestyle- Final Results

Placing / Rider / Horse / Score

1 / Diane Creech / Devon L / 75.417%

2 / David Marcus / Chrevi's Capital / 72.917%

3 / Jacqueline Brooks / D Niro / 72.042%

4 / Evi Strasser / Action Tyme / 67.375%

Photo - Diane Creech from Caistor Centre, ON thrilled the Royal Horse Show crowd with a winning performance in the Grand Prix Freestyle during the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup on Nov. 7 in Toronto, ON.

Photo Credit - Cealy Tetley

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