Support Mascha's Ride to Dressage Nationals in Quebec

My 15-year-old niece Mascha is one of the most driven, dedicated young people I know. For the past six years, she’s poured her heart into training with her horse Darius, a gentle and hardworking American Paint gelding. Together, they’ve built a bond that’s nothing short of remarkable.

Mascha doesn’t just ride—she lives and breathes dressage. From early mornings at the barn to late nights studying her rides, she gives it everything. And all that hard work is paying off: Mascha and Darius have officially qualified to compete at the 2025 Canadian Dressage Championships in Québec City this October.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and they’ve earned it.

In just two seasons of showing, Mascha has already brought home Champion and Reserve Champion titles at every level she’s entered, and even scored a perfect 10 on a movement last fall. Now competing at First Level, she continues to push herself and Darius to be their best.

But the road hasn’t been easy. Darius was recently diagnosed with arthritis and Anaplasmosis, forcing them to withdraw from their last show. Mascha is more determined than ever to rehab him gently and get him back to doing what he loves—because they’re not done yet.

Where the $7,500 Will Go

Mascha has already raised over $2,500 on her own through bake sales, chores, odd jobs, and community gigs—all while training, caring for Darius, and preparing for school. She’s even slept in the horse trailer at past shows to keep costs down and make sure Darius was taken care of first.

But the financial demands of competing at this level are huge, especially with school starting soon and less time to fundraise. That’s where we’re asking for a little help—not for a free ride, but to help cover essential costs for both rider and horse.

Here’s how the $7,500 funds will be used:

For Darius – approx. $5,000

For Mascha – approx. $2,500

Why This Matters

For Mascha and Darius, the 2025 Canadian Dressage Championships in Québec are a chance to step onto a national stage and move beyond the Atlantic region.

This will open doors to future competitions, mentorships, and opportunities that are rarely accessible to young riders in such a niche sport with almost no public funding. Mascha has also started sharing her journey on Instagram ( @maschaunddarius ) to inspire other young riders who are chasing big dreams on tight budgets.

If you’re not able to give financially, we would still be so grateful if you could share this campaign with friends, family, or on social media.

We also welcome in-kind support—anything that could help with travel, gear, food, or other competition costs.

Thank you so much for helping make this dream possible—for both Mascha and her best friend, Darius. ❤️