At just 12 years old, grade 7 SMUS student Estella Gosniak ‘31 recently achieved what few riders her age ever do: qualifying to represent Canada at the prestigious North American Youth Dressage Championships. Her partner in the event was her towering 17-hand horse named Impact (known as his barn name, Paco), who also happens to be 12 years old. Together, the pair have grown, trained and competed side by side over the past year, building a bond that led them all the way to one of the highest levels of youth dressage in North America.
The competition took place July 29 to August 3 in Traverse City, Michigan, at the 2025 FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships (NAYC). Estella was one of three riders to form Canada’s first-ever FEI Children’s Dressage Team, a remarkable achievement in a journey that began seven years ago.
A Steady Climb Through the Ranks
Estella started English riding lessons at age five — the same year she began kindergarten at SMUS — and began competing in dressage by age nine. From her early days on a lease pony to local competitions in Victoria, Estella has steadily progressed through the sport with the support of her coach Brittney Eastgate at Eastgate Dressage in Central Saanich. In 2023, she purchased her current partner, a Dutch Warmblood gelding, and together they’ve trained for and competed in high-level events across western Canada and the U.S.
This spring, Estella and Paco travelled to Vancouver, Calgary and Oregon to compete in qualifying events for NAYC. At the local Diamond Dressage series, they earned a personal best score of 72.481%, securing a high-point award, and establishing Estella as the top-ranked rider in Canada in the FEI Children’s Division. Her international ranking at the time of selection was 163rd in the world.
Grace in the Face of Challenge
The NAYC competition is multi-day and includes both individual and team events. The week began with promise as Estella and Paco passed the initial veterinary inspection and entered their first test. But during their second event — the FEI Children’s Team Test — Paco took a misstep during a leg yield movement and was eliminated by the judge due to concerns about soundness, a precautionary rule to protect animal welfare.
The moment was heartbreaking. Without Estella’s score, the Canadian Children’s Team was ineligible for a team placement, missing out on what would have been a podium finish. Despite the disappointment, Estella handled the setback with maturity and grace. Paco was cleared by the vet shortly after, but the rules of the competition meant Estella could not continue.
Estella’s coach and family see the experience not as a loss, but as a chapter in a much bigger story — one of discipline, courage, and long-term growth. And this story is far from over. Estella has already qualified for the Canadian National Dressage Championships, with the west coast event to be held this fall at Thunderbird Show Park in Vancouver.
With resilience in the saddle and a passion for the sport, Estella continues to represent the spirit of SMUS, showing that even in moments of setback, there is strength, learning, and pride.
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