Tag Archives: Jonathon Millar

Millar Family Launches Millar Brooke Farm South

Ian, Amy, and Jonathon Millar of Millar Brooke Farm. Photo by Starting Gate Communications.

Perth, Ontario – The Millar family has announced the opening of its U.S.-based satellite operation, Millar Brooke South, as well as the addition of Alexander and Holly Grayton to Team Millar.

As Millar Brooke Farm continues to expand its business and grow, the timing was right for Jonathon Millar and his wife, Kelly Soleau-Millar, to base in the United States for the majority of the year, marking the official launch of Millar Brooke Farm South. The move allows the business to have an increased presence south of the Canadian border, providing easier access to more shows, the ability to source horses from a wider area, and greater networking and training opportunities.

“We are excited to open up Millar Brooke South,” said Jonathon, a veteran of the Canadian Show Jumping Team and 2010 World Equestrian Games competitor. “With operations based in Canada and the United States, our business now has a lot more flexibility surrounding what shows we can attend around the world, access to additional horses and sponsorships, and enhanced training opportunities for our horses and riders.”

Millar Brooke Farm South will compete predominantly in the United States during the summer months while Millar Brooke Farm North, based in Perth, ON, will spend the bulk of its time competing in Canada. Both operations will continue to train and compete together in Wellington, FL during the winter circuit.

“Every year we come together to discuss how to provide the highest level of training and management for our horses and students,” said Kelly, who made her Nations’ Cup debut riding for the United States in 2018. “I am very excited about the future for Team Millar as we continue to grow and provide new opportunities for our students, sponsors, and owners.”

The expansion of Team Millar also necessitated additional coaching power and expertise to support Ian Millar and his daughter and fellow Canadian Olympian, Amy, in meeting the increased training demands at home in Canada. To that end, Alexander and Holly Grayton have relocated to Millar Brooke Farm North. Since 2008, the Graytons had been operating Grayton Farms in Alberta where they focused on coaching, sales, and developing young horses.

“After an extensive search for the right fit, we could not be happier that we were able to attract them to Perth to join our team,” said Amy, who was a member of Canada’s fourth-placed team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. “Alex and Holly are highly regarded with a proven track record of success, and we are confident that they will contribute to Team Millar. We are all excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Ian added, “I am very excited to add Alex and Holly to our staff. Alex and Holly are both dedicated horse people with whom we have a history, first as students and then as colleagues. Alex is a talented rider, fantastic teacher, and has incredible passion for our sport.”

Over the past several years, Alexander has developed several horses to the elite level, claiming Talent Squad National Final and National Young Horse Championship titles as well as grand prix victories and hunter championships. Alexander has trained riders of all levels, from those entering their first horse show to winning National Talent Squad Finals, FEI Children’s Finals, international grand prix classes, and every place in between.

Holly is a budding grand prix rider and will take on managerial duties at Millar Brooke Farm North. Students of the sport can look to Holly for her accumulated knowledge of horse care and can trust in her never-ending desire to continue to learn from esteemed and respected colleagues from around the world.

“Both Alex and Holly will be incredible assets to our team,” concluded Amy. “Their passion for the sport, training, people, and their horses make them a perfect fit for our program.”

For more information on Millar Brooke Farm and Team Millar, visit www.millarbrookefarm.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Millar and Valinski S Capture Triple Crown $10k Open Stake Class at the Holiday Show I

Photo: Jonathon Millar and Valinski S.

Wellington, Florida (January 1, 2020) — Congratulations to Jonathon Millar and Valinski S: the pair captured first place in the $10K Triple Crown Open Stake Class in December, fittingly National Horse Day, during the Holiday Show I hosted at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Wyndmont Farm from Loxahatchee, Florida, and Millar won after competing in the jump-off with a time of 34.304 seconds.

Millar, who is based out of Perth, Ontario, Canada, said the 17-year-old bay is a “super competitive horse. He has a ton of experience, so it’s just about us getting to know each other. It’s great winning the $10k Triple Crown Open Stakes with Valinski. Every week we’re getting to know each other better and better. He’s a wonderful horse. Thank you to Wyndmont owners Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman.”

Jonathon Millar is the son of 10-time Olympian “Captain Canada” Ian Millar. Team Millar is still winning top competitions, as not only does Jonathon compete, so does his sister, Amy Millar. Team Millar has the respectable moniker of the “First Family of Showjumping” in Canada.

Valinski S is an outstanding horse, having competed in the Individual Final at the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with a string of wins and top finishes winning many show jumping competitions.

Contact: Kelly Payne
kpayne@triplecrownfeed.com

More Millar Magic Helps Clinch Second Canadian Success

Photo: Jonathon Millar with Daveau. (FEI/Anwar Esquivel)

Team Mexico rallies brilliantly, but Team USA takes runner-up spot

In a case of “like father, like son,” Jonathon Millar (43) helped seal victory for Team Canada with a foot-perfect performance at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Mexico in Coapexpan. His legendary father, Ian (71), produced a pivotal double-clear to put their country at the top of the leaderboard at the opening leg of the 2018 North/Central America and Caribbean League qualifying series two months ago, so Jonathon was following suit. And adding even more of a family flavour to the excitement, Jonathon’s wife, Kelly Soleau-Millar, made her Nations Cup debut on the American side that lined up second ahead of Mexico in third.

It seems Millar has team spirit coursing through his veins due to the influence of his dad.

“I was brought up on Nations Cups and Championships being such a big part of his success, and it has rubbed off on me, knowing that being there for the team is more important than winning the Grand Prix – so when it all comes together like it did today then it’s a really great thing!” — Jonathon Millar (Team Canada)

The Canadian foursome that also included Laura Jane Tidball (40), Jenn Serek (35) and Keean White (35) already led the way after the first round of the three-nation contest, but their eight-fault total only gave them a single-fault advantage over the USA carrying nine, while Mexico’s 21-fault first-round effort put paid to their chances. However, in a brilliant second-round rally, Patricio Pasquel (Babel), Luis Alejandro Plascencia (Davinci) and Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia (Ninloubet) did themselves proud with faultless runs to ensure they added nothing more to the host nation tally.

When impressive American pathfinder Alex Granato produced his second clear of the competition with the bouncy bay gelding Carlchen W, that kept the pressure on the Canadian leaders. But single errors from both Soleau-Millar (Cacharel) and Ali Wolff (Casall), and two mistakes from Jennifer Gates (Pumped Up Kicks), moved the US on to a final total of 17 faults. And this meant that although Tidball (Concetto Son) and Serek (Wicked) each left a single fence on the floor second time out, anchorman White (For Freedom Z) could stay in the clubhouse because even without his help Team Canada would finish with just 16 on the final scoreboard.

Millar was delighted with his 10-year-old gelding Daveau. “He didn’t do the Nations Cup in Ocala because it came too early in the season, but it’s been a really fun process working with him so far and now he’s coming into his own. He gives a thousand percent in the ring, he’s a real fighter and a dream to ride – I couldn’t be more proud of him!” he said. And he was proud and happy for his American wife too. “This was her first Nations Cup, and it was exciting and rewarding that we could do this together today, even on two different teams!”

His Chef d’Equipe, Mark Laskin, is already looking forward to the third and final leg of the North/Central America and Caribbean League, which will take place on home turf in Langley next month, and he was very pleased with the team effort. “We had a great group; they all contributed to our score and to our victory,” he said.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Jonathon Millar and Kelly Soleau-Millar Earn Opening Day Victories at CSI2* Ottawa Int’l Horse Show

Jonathon Millar and Caprice. Photo by Jump Media.

Ottawa, Ontario – The CSI2* Ottawa International Horse Show opened on Wednesday, July 20, with Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON and his wife, Kelly Soleau-Millar, each enjoying a win on the grass grand prix field at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

The five-day international show jumping tournament runs through Sunday, July 24, and boasts an impressive list of top competitors, including four members of the Millar family.  Ten-time Olympian Ian Millar, 2016 Canadian Olympic Show Jumping Team member Amy Millar, and husband and wife Jonathon Millar and Kelly Soleau-Millar are all competing at this year’s Ottawa International Horse Show.  The husband and wife duo scored victories in the two featured classes on opening day, with Jonathon winning the 1.35m Open Jumper competition, presented by Deloitte, with Caprice while Soleau-Millar of Wellington, FL, topped the 1.25 Open Jumper, presented by Juniper Farm, riding Hoolie Hoo.

Soleau-Millar and Hoolie Hoo, the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by C. F. Farms, bested a field of 32 entries with a double clear effort in a winning jump-off time of 43.99 seconds.  The 1.35m Open Jumpers were next, and this time it was Jonathon riding Caprice, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Peter Edgar, who produced the winning round to beat out 24 other competitors.

“It’s been a real Team Millar day!” said Soleau-Millar of the back-to-back victories, which were immediately followed by a win for their student, Adam Rittenberg, riding Alazan in the 1.30m Junior/Amateur competition.

Married in December, Jonathon and Soleau-Millar are no strangers to traveling and competing together, most often alongside Ian and Amy.

“We’re on the road a lot, and it’s nice to be able to travel with the whole group,” said Jonathon.  “We’re really fortunate that way.  The horses have all been great, so that always makes showing together even more special.”

Jonathon continued, “We’re also fortunate that we all have a common goal.  We all want to be successful ourselves, but we also want each other to be successful.  Hopefully at the end of the day, at least one of us has had a good day!”

Millar Brooke Farm has brought a total of 30 horses from its home base in Perth, ON to the Ottawa International Horse Show.  Sanctioned as a CSI2* by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), riders competing in the feature events are able to earn valuable World Rider Ranking points.

“Having FEI competition in our backyard is amazing,” said Soleau-Millar.  “We couldn’t ask for a better venue, and the prize money is outstanding.  I ride a lot of the young horses and bring them along, and it’s hard to make your way without wonderful shows like this one that have such strong support and money behind them.”

Having a world-class competition situated only 45 minutes from home is a big draw for the Millar family.

“The field is unbelievable to ride in, and the improvements made every year are just outstanding,” Soleau-Millar said.  “The schedule is wonderful, and everything is competitor and horse friendly.  It’s really nice to have a place that’s close to home and at a venue that’s so beautiful.”

Spectators at the CSI2* Ottawa International Horse Show can expect to see the Millar family in action throughout the week.  Featured events include the $35,000 CSI2* Open Welcome on Friday, the $10,000 Modified Grand Prix on Saturday, and the $100,000 CSI2* Classic on Sunday, all beginning at 2 p.m.

To find out more about the Ottawa National and CSI2* Ottawa International Horse Shows, visit www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com. For complete results from the Ottawa National Horse Show, visit ottawa.showmanagementsystem.com.

Jennifer Ward
cell: 613-292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Vale and Fenney Ride for the Upper Hand during First Day at HITS Ocala

©ESI Photography. Aaron Vale traded the lead with Tracy Fenney several times during today’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

OCALA, FL (January 17, 2013) – The first grand prix of the season at HITS Ocala took place this afternoon as Aaron Vale of Morriston, FL and Flower Mound, TX’s Tracy Fenney put on quite a show during the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. It was Vale who piloted Amen Corner Farm, LLC’s Palm Sunday to the winner’s circle for their first victory of the season.

Vale, a native of Dallas, Texas, committed SmartPak user and HITS Ocala regular, showed three horses in today’s class and made it to the 14-horse jump-off with all of them. It was Palm Sunday, however, who was able to execute a tricky inside turn to the second fence in the jump-off, a skinny vertical next to the water.

“There were plenty of distractions and reasons why that turn wasn’t attractive, but if we had any chance of beating Tracy, that was going to be where it would happen,” said Vale.

And happen it did as Vale posted the winning time of 36.18 seconds. Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Timon were just fractions behind, but settled for second in 36.66 seconds.

Continue reading Vale and Fenney Ride for the Upper Hand during First Day at HITS Ocala