05/31/2026
This weekend, Blitzen Black Ice stepped down centreline for the very first time at the Ottawa Dressage Festival, one of Canada's premier dressage competitions.
While the test sheets reflected exactly what you'd expect from a young horse making his dressage debut, the real success story of the weekend wasn't found in the scores.
As a young stallion, Ice was keenly aware of everything happening around him. The busy atmosphere, endless horses, spectators, tents, golf carts, scooters, and constant activity certainly caught his attention—but what impressed us most was how he processed it all. He took everything in with maturity, curiosity, confidence, and thoughtfulness, never losing sight of the job at hand.
For many horses, a venue of this size can feel overwhelming. For a young stallion attending his first dressage show and stepping down centreline for the first time, it could easily have been a lot to ask. Instead, Ice approached the experience exactly as we hoped he would: attentive, rideable, and willing to learn.
The movements and scores will improve with experience. Those things come with time and mileage. What cannot be manufactured is the kind of temperament that allows a horse to navigate a challenging environment with a good mind and a willing attitude.
This weekend was a wonderful reminder of why temperament is such an important part of our breeding program. Ice demonstrated the qualities we value most: intelligence, trainability, confidence, and the ability to meet new challenges with composure.
We couldn't be prouder of this young stallion and are excited to see where the journey takes him next. ❄️🖤
For those who have been following Ice's journey, we are also fortunate to have a select group of his 2026 offspring available. If this weekend was any indication, the qualities that make him such a promising sport horse are traits he is already passing on to the next generation.
Feel free to reach out or visit our website to learn more about our available foals.
Ice is also standing at stud to the public via fresh cooled or frozen semen.