Chris von Martels

Chris started riding early in his life, as his family has been involved with horses for generations. Chris started riding as a young child at the age of 13 decided that dressage was the route for him, and he committed himself to the life of a dressage rider.

Chris competed through the FEI Junior and FEI Young Rider programs, then moved into the small tour divisions where had had much success being named to the Canadian long list over the past six years, and is currently on the short list for Canada. In 2007 Chris started his Grand Prix career with Hesperos, earning multiple wins and top results throughout North American shows.

In 2010, Chris achieved several top results with Naomi at the Grand Prix level, as well as winning classes in the small tour level with Tiesto.

To date Chris has been a consistent rider at the both the small tour and Grand Prix level at international shows throughout North America on multiple horses.

In 2015, Chris was named to Canada's Pan American Games Dressage Team, where he was instrumental in helping Canada bring home a Team Silver medal. Chris went on to qualify for the individual medal round where he was the sole Canadian dressage athlete to medal, taking home the individual Pan American Games Bronze medal. Chris' exceptional Major Games debut led to him being named both the 2015 Equine Canaa Equestrian of the Year and the Dressage Canada Athlete of the Year.