Legacy, Love, and the Power Couple Behind it All

BDS: Building the Next Generation of a Horse Family Legacy by EquiLink They’re redefining what it means to build a dressage business with heart, purpose, and partnership. Meet Santiago Burssens and Felixe Côté-Villeneuve: partners in life, training, and an ambitious dream called Burssens Dressage (BDS). Q: Santi, your name is already part of a well-known dressage family. Can you tell us how your background shaped BDS? Santi: I was lucky to be raised in it. My parents built IDA Farm from the ground up in Wellington, so I grew up completely immersed in barn life. Horses were never a question, they were just part of life. My sister Monica is also a dressage rider, and her husband is a show jumper, we’re all on 1 big team! Our whole family is connected to this sport in one way or another, so building BDS feels like a continuation of something I’ve always known — but now in my own way. The Wrong Bus That Took Her to the Right Life Some stories feel like fate. Felixe: None of my family rides, or even likes horses. I was supposed to go to tennis camp, but I got on the wrong bus and ended up at a barn. I never wanted to leave after that. From that twist of destiny, she dove into the horse world headfirst. She spent her childhood riding at a school near Montreal, and by 2011, she’d bought her first FEI horse and stepped into the CDI ring. Felixe: I basically lived at the barn. It was the best environment for a kid to learn how to be a horse person, which is so important. Santi: Meanwhile, for me, it was all I knew. Dressage was around me from day one. My foundation came from watching it daily, not just in lessons, but in how the barn ran, how horses were treated, and how real professionals worked. Love at First Season Felixe: When I rolled into Wellington in 2017 with a green mare and big dreams, I boarded at IDA. I came down from Montreal for the season. I wanted to give her the best chance to develop… and met Santi’s entire family before I even met him. Then we got introduced, and the rest is history. Santi: It just clicked — we saw the world the same way, especially when it came to horses. That’s where everything started. Burssens Dressage: Built With Intention What they’re building isn’t just a business, it’s a philosophy. Santi: We wanted to create a space that reflects what matters most to us: a calm, honest environment where horses come first and progress feels good, not rushed or forced. Felixe: Every detail of BDS is infused with that ethos: quality over pressure, clarity over chaos. Santi: It’s about doing the work with care, helping riders grow with confidence, and giving each horse the time and attention they deserve. Felixe: We focus on clear communication, real connection, and strong fundamentals. No gimmicks, just consistent, correct work that respects the horse and sets them up to succeed. The Couple That Trains Together… Running a training stable with your life partner? Not for the faint of heart. But for Felixe and Santi, it’s their secret weapon. Felixe: It’s intense, but it’s also based on trust. We complement each other. Santi is so intuitive and grounded with the horses. I bring structure and planning. Santi: That balance is what makes it work. We’ve learned how to divide our roles and really lean into our strengths. We both learned how much stronger we are as a team. A Vision for the Sport They’re not here to blend in.They’re here to raise the bar — thoughtfully. Santi: More feel. Less flash.More patience. Fewer gimmicks.More people training their eyes, not just their seat. Their dream horses? Felixe: Apache. Santi: Valegro. (Honestly, same.) Why Wellington Still Matters Felixe: To see so many equestrians from around the world gather here every winter — it’s incredible. Yes, it can be fast-paced and intense, but if you stay grounded, there’s nowhere better to grow. Santi: For us, Wellington isn’t just a season. It’s home. And it’s the place we want to build from. Just for Fun:   Felixe left a corporate job as a CPA just one year ago to chase this full-time — proof that it’s never too late to bet on your passion. If BDS were a horse? “It would be calm, collected, and correct — not loud, just quietly impressive.” Their biggest surprise so far? “Slowing down. When it’s your own business, the instinct is to go full throttle. But good things take time.” What’s Next for BDS? They’ve got vision and a plan. From full training and boarding to show coaching and sales, everything is tailored with intention to both horse and rider. Felixe: We’ve set clear goals for our clients, our sales horses, and the entire program. Santi: And we’re excited for what’s ahead. We are super excited for this next season in Wellington. We’ve got a few projects in the works we can’t wait to share  Want to train with them or just say hi? You can connect with Burssens Dressage right through EquiLink, where stories like theirs remind us that in this sport, the best things are built slowly, honestly, and side by side.