Mother-Daughter Team Diane Creech And Vanessa Creech-Terauds Enjoy Wintering In Wellington
Dressage Duo
BY Y.A. TEITELBAUM
Vanessa Creech-Terauds was learning to ride almost before she could walk. She had a good teacher in her mother, Diane Creech, an elite professional dressage competitor. Some 15 years later, they are still training and riding together, busy competing during the winter months at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington. In the last week of December, they left their home on a small private farm in Caistor Centre, Ontario, that they share with three dogs, two mini horses, one broodmare, two youngsters and Vanessa’s very first competition mare, who is now 19 years old, to spend four months together in Wellington. “My mother and I have a very open and honest relationship, which is very important, since we do spend a lot of time together,” said Vanessa, who turned 20 years old on Feb. 7.“We believe this helps us as both riders and family. By being able to discuss everything, whether horses or personal life, we can come up with strategies and solutions together. We will always support and respect each other and know that we can count on one another.”
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Diane’s plans for this season are focused on qualifying for the Canadian Olympic team while also guiding Vanessa’s journey in the Under 25 classes. Both ride horses owned by Leatherdale Farms. “This year is a very exciting year for many riders, trainers and owners as it is an Olympic qualifying year,” explained Diane, who was a reserve team member for the London Olympics in 2012.“I have also entered myself into that ‘race,’ and with the incredible support from Mrs. Louise Leatherdale and my family, I will try to prepare and present the best I can.” Vanessa is approaching the Olympic level, working her way through the ranks with numerous top three finishes at prestigious Under 25 events in Wellington and around the world. “My goals for the season are to show in the U25 Nations Cup in March and go for the Orion Cup back home in Canada,”Vanessa said. The prestigious Orion Cup is presented to a rider age 16 to 25 with the highest average of three scores in U25 Grand Prix events. Creech-Terauds received the Orion Cup in 2018.
On a typical day of training, Diane is the first to ride her three horses in the morning, and then Vanessa rides her four horses while under the tutelage of her mother. “Naturally, every horse has their respective strengths and weaknesses, so we decide day to day what would be best to focus on,” Vanessa said. “Once the riding is done, I help finish up the rest of the barn chores and make sure all the horses end the day content and comfortable.” “Working our horses to become fit, elastic and happy athletes dictates our whole day,” Diane added. Being in Wellington for the entire winter season is almost like attending college. “It is an incredible environment filled with learning opportunities for you and your horse,” Vanessa said.“By being surrounded by some of the best riders, you hold yourself to a higher standard and constantly strive to be better. Everyone has their own style of riding, and it is so interesting and educational to take bits and pieces from what you see and hear and be able to encompass it into your own riding. You constantly get the itch