Stephanie Bourassa and Guss de Kergane Deliver Only Double-Clear Effort to Win Ottawa Welcome 2 Grand Prix
OTTAWA, ON, May 24, 2026 — Stephanie Bourassa of Laval, QC, and Guss de Kergane rose to the challenge in Saturday’s $25,000 Grand Prix presented by Ogilvy Equestrian at the Ottawa Welcome 2, delivering the only double-clear performance of the afternoon to secure victory at Wesley Clover Parks.
Designed by FEI Level 2 course designer Shane Wooley, the track proved to be a technical test for the 17-horse starting field, with only two horse-and-rider combinations producing fault-free first rounds to advance to the jump-off.
Maria Yzerman of Montreal, QC, and JOJO JK SR were first to return for the jump-off, setting an ambitious pace with a time of 43.21 seconds but incurring four faults. Bourassa knew a clear round would secure the win and answered the challenge, guiding Guss de Kergane to victory in a time of 46.61 seconds.
The results marked another successful performance at Wesley Clover Parks for both top finishers, with Bourassa having won the Ottawa Welcome 1 Grand Prix in 2025 and Yzerman claiming the Ottawa Welcome 2 Grand Prix title last season. Fierce competitors in the ring but friends beyond it, the pair shared a celebratory moment following the class in front of an enthusiastic Saturday afternoon crowd.
“I have had this horse for almost two years now and he has grown a lot,” said Bourassa following the win. “He has built muscle and he’s a lot stronger and he’s jumping amazing. I love him. Back-to-back years winning here is great, I love the venue. It’s lovely to see a lot of people here, we love it.”
Owned by Bourassa, Guss de Kergane is a 2016 Selle Français gelding who continues to develop as a consistent Grand Prix partner for the Quebec rider.
Thursday’s $5,000 Open Welcome presented by Dundas Feed & Seed belonged to Yzerman, who delivered an impressive one-two finish. She was the only rider to produce double-clear rounds, first setting the pace aboard Carrickview Cheap Thrills before returning later in the order to beat her own time with JOJO JK SR.
Photos by Sunkist Media
In the hunter ring, Friday’s $5,000 3'6" Canadian Hunter Derby sponsored by Show Pony Products marked the opening class of the Canadian Hunter Derby Series, where riders competed for valuable qualifying points toward the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Kristjan Good and In The Groove topped the standings with a standout score of 101.
Competition wrapped up on Sunday with the $2,500 Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic sponsored by Kim Dixon, where Kristine Blaisand Ferdinand earned the win, while the $500 Apple Saddlery Pony Classic was captured by Charlotte Spinelli aboard Candero.
Photos by Sunkist Media
Following two successful weeks of national hunter/jumper competition, Wesley Clover Parks will switch gears to host the Ottawa Dressage Festival from May 28–31. The event will feature competition ranging from national divisions through CDI3* international competition, along with the new addition of Western Style Dressage classes. Spectator admission is free, with more information available at www.nationalcapitaldressage.ca/spectators.
In total, Wesley Clover Parks will host 16 equestrian events across all three Olympic disciplines in 2026, ranging from grassroots sport through elite international sport.
The season will again be highlighted by the RBC Ottawa International CSI4* CSI2* from August 12–16, welcoming many of the sport’s top athletes to Wesley Clover Parks for world-class competition in the nation’s capital. Organizers continue to invest in the competitor experience, including ongoing development of the grass Grand Prix field in collaboration with internationally respected turf expert Richard Hayden. Stabling requests for the RBC Ottawa International CSI4* CSI2* are being accepted through July 12.
Kicking off the week of international competition will be the Spurs & Sparkles charity gala presented by RBC Royal Bank on Wednesday, August 12, celebrating its milestone fifth anniversary in support of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. The event brings together sport, entertainment, and community for an evening featuring gourmet food, premium local beverages, and show jumping competition set against the venue’s world-class grass Grand Prix field. Early bird tickets are now available at www.spursandsparkles.com.
For more information on Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments and upcoming events, visit www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com.
$25,000 Ogilvy Equestrian Grand Prix
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Rider / Horse / Faults / Time
STEPHANIE BOURASSA / GUSS DE KERGANE / 0:0 / 46.61
MARIA YZERMAN / JOJO JK SR / 0:4 / 43.21
PHILIPPE LACASSE / BALOU'S GIRL / 1
PAUL HALPERN / JERLOT W / 4
ADRIEN LEMIEUX / CORNET'S CAMELOT Z / 4
MARIA YZERMAN / PEPE 348 / 5
HADRIAN MACDONALD / INDIANA BLOOM / 5
MARIA YZERMAN / CARRICKVIEW CHEAP THRILLS / 8
ALEXANDRA MITCHELL / CASALLCO AURORA / 9
FRANK HENDRIKS / CHECKIN ME OUT / 10
Media Contact
Robyn Cyr – Press Officer
Robyn.Cyr@wesleycloverparks.com