Tag Archives: Royal Horse Show

Competitions, Pony, Show Jumping

Laura Robertson Tops $5,000 Royal Pony Jumper Final at 2015 Royal Horse Show

Leave a comment

Laura Robertson. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Laura Robertson of Toronto, ON topped the $5,000 Royal Pony Jumper Final, presented by William Tilford and Marion Cunningham of Marbill Hill Farm, on Sunday, November 15, at the Royal Horse Show®. The competition officially closed out The 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

In a fairytale ending to the Royal Horse Show, Robertson and a chestnut pony called Royal took top call in the featured class for pony jumpers. Pony-size speed was showcased as Royal, owned by Charlotte Millar, carried Robertson to victory over 14 entries. They were the fastest of three double-clear efforts breaking the timer beam in a blistering 27.36 seconds.

More than two seconds behind Robertson, second-place rider Raphaelle Ferreira of Prevost, QC stopped the clock at 29.90 seconds riding her own Montreux. Ferreira’s top finish, coupled with a sixth-place ribbon in the $2,500 Royal Pony Jumper Welcome held Saturday, November 14, clinched her the Royal Pony Jumper Championship. Camille Huppe of St. Eustache, QC aboard Texas, owned by Susana Tezanos-Moreno, collected third on Sunday with a 31.03-second jump-off time. They were also second on Saturday to earn the Reserve Champion title.

Melinda Dupont of Mount Albert, ON and her own Snapchat were clean over the original track to advance to the jump-off, but suffered elimination to settle in fourth. Jumping to the fastest four-fault effort in the first round, Grace Munro of Wolfville, NS rounded out the top five in the irons of her own Ever So Clever.

Kilby Brunner Deforest topped the $2,500 Royal Pony Jumper Welcome, the first class of the division, on Saturday. Her partner was Barkway Topaz, an English-bred Welsh pony owned by her mother, Kirsten Brunner. Barkway Topaz did double duty at the Royal Horse Show®, also showing in driving competition with his owner.

The Royal Pony Jumper Division celebrated its third year calling The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair home, and welcomed riders from four provinces – Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island – to Ricoh Coliseum. The division’s two classes were generously presented by William Tilford and Marion Cunningham, who were in attendance on Sunday to congratulate the riders on their accomplishments.

“Pony jumpers are the first step in developing riders that can go forward, think on the fly, and handle a wide variety of obstacles, terrain and approaches,” said Cunningham, who operates Marbill Hill Farm in Bradford West Gwillimbury, ON. “We are proud to support this competition at the Royal Horse Show®, and proud to encourage the future of show jumping sport.”

After ten days of top competition, featuring pint-sized ponies and World Cup Champions alike, the Royal Horse Show wrapped its 2015 season with excitement already building for the event in 2016, which will return to downtown Toronto November 4-13, 2016.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Wins $75,000 Big Ben Challenge to Close 2015 Royal Horse Show

Leave a comment

McLain Ward riding HH Azur. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – McLain Ward of the United States scored yet another victory in the $75,000 Big Ben Challenge, presented by Hudson’s Bay Company, on Saturday night, November 14, to close out international show jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

A total of 20 entries tried their luck over the track set by British course designer Richard Jeffery in front of a sold-out crowd in the Ricoh Coliseum. More forgiving than in previous nights’ competition, Jeffery laid a track that saw eight horse-rider combinations advance to the all-deciding jump-off.

When Ward entered the Ricoh Coliseum, Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts held the jump-off lead with a clear round in a time of 42.03 seconds riding H&M Legend of Love. Wasting no time around the short course, Ward guided HH Azur home in a time of 40.42 seconds to move to the top of the leaderboard. Fellow American Reed Kessler challenged Ward’s time with Cylana, but the clock told the final tale, with a time of 41.44 seconds placing her second between Ward and Philippaerts.

“Honestly, as a rider doing this my whole life, you never think a horse like this exists,” said Ward of HH Azur, who made a huge effort at the final fence to take the win. “Most horses would have fallen down at that last fence. The take-off was 15 feet away, I bet. It’s not that I was surprised she jumped it; I was just surprised how easy it was. The jump-off was exciting, which is great for the crowd.”

Ward enjoyed an exceptional week of competition at the Royal Horse Show®, winning a total of four international classes – two riding HH Azur and two with his newest mount, Carneyhaugh Manx – and was awarded the title of Leading International Rider. He and HH Azur, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui) owned by Double H Farm, also won Wednesday night’s $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto.

“The World Cup was the most difficult one we’ve seen all season, which I was excited about with this horse,” said Ward, 40, of Brewster, NY. “I really wanted to challenge her, and what a great way to end the year!”

Runner-up Kessler was thrilled with her 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare’s performance.

Reed Kessler riding Cylana
Reed Kessler riding Cylana

“She was fantastic,” said Kessler, 21, who is based in Germany. “I’m really lucky; I have a super experienced horse and she’s really brave and honest. She always wants to do her best, so in that respect I have it easy. They’ve been difficult courses all week by Richard; you need a horse that looks for the fence and is really brave.

“I love The Royal,” continued Kessler, who is competing at the Royal Horse Show® for the second time in her young career. “It’s a super show and has great atmosphere. They do their best for the horses and the riders here, and it’s always great to come to a show that is like that.”

With Kessler second and Philippaerts taking third, New York’s Georgina Bloomberg took fourth place. The first rider on course, Bloomberg posted a clear round in a time of 45.66 seconds riding Caleno 3. Nicola Philippaerts, twin brother to Olivier, had four faults in the jump-off to place fifth riding H&M Harley vd Bisschop. Jonathon Millar was the top Canadian, taking sixth place with a rail down and two time faults riding his father’s 2012 London Olympic Games mount, Star Power. Two-time Olympic team gold medalist Beezie Madden of the United States had eight faults in the jump-off, as did New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley riding Barnetta, to finish seventh and eighth, respectively.

The Leading Canadian Rider Award, presented by AMJ, went to Jonathon Millar. In an interesting twist, Martha Louise and Ariana, both owned by the Grange family, tied for the All-Canadian Cup, presented to the leading Canadian-owned horse. The award is presented by Susan Grange’s Lothlorien Farm of Cheltenham, ON. Grange and her rider, Conor Swail of Ireland, accepted the All-Canadian Cup.

Canine-EquineTo the delight of horse and dog lovers alike, the $15,000 Canine-Equine Challenge, presented by the Toronto Star, took center stage in Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Riders were paired with a ‘Superdog’, navigating the show jumping track and crossing the timers before their canine partner took off around a dog agility course. The crowd cheered for their favourites, as dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes raced up, over and through the obstacles. In the end, it was Ward and Carneyhaugh Manx, his new 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, that crossed the timers with the fastest clear round for the win.

Also during Saturday’s matinee performance, Liam Dumont Walker of Oakville, ON won the $5,000 MP Equine Junior/Amateur Jumper Stake. Riding Lilius, Dumont Walker topped a four horse jump-off to claim victory over Ashley MacDougall of Brampton, ON aboard Alaska K by more than four full seconds. Dumont Walker finished the week tied for Champion in the Junior/Amateur division with Miranda Travers-Cavill of Claremont, ON, who won the other two classes in the division riding Capriato.

While international show jumping competitors are heading back to their respective corners of the world, the next generation will take center stage in the Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday, November 15. Highlights include the Children’s Hunter and Junior Jumper divisions, as well as the $5,000 Royal Pony Jumper Final, presented by William Tilford and Marion Cunningham of Marbill Hill Farm in Bradford West Gwillimbury, ON.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Nicola Philippaerts Wins $50,000 Weston Canadian Open at 2015 Royal Horse Show

Leave a comment

Nicola Philippaerts riding H&M Harley vd Bisschop. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts scored victory in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open on Friday night, November 13, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

British course designer Richard Jeffery set a challenging speed track for the starting field of 21 entries. With high speed came great risk, and only two riders managed to cross the finish line with all the rails still intact. Philippaerts did it in the fastest time, coming home in 59.83 seconds riding H&M Harley vd Bisschop while U.S. veteran Leslie Howard opted for a more conservative approach, stopping the clock in 64.04 seconds riding Utah. By comparison, fellow American McLain Ward, winner of Wednesday night’s $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto, posted the evening’s fastest time, a blistering 55.82 seconds riding HH Carlos Z, but at the expensive of a rail to finish third.

“The course was pretty big for a speed class,” said Philippaerts, 22. “There were only two clears and many were fast. There were a few that were faster than me but had one down. There were some difficulties, like the combination and the skinny vertical, but I was lucky enough to leave the rails up.”

Fellow Belgian competitor Francois Mathy, Jr., was another rider who produced a faster round in 58.34 seconds riding Polinska des Isles but had four faults to place fourth. American Charlie Jacobs was also faster than Philippaerts, clocking in at 59.58 seconds, but again failed to leave all the jumps in place to take fifth with Cassinja S.

Leslie Howard of the United States placed second riding Utah
Leslie Howard of the United States placed second riding Utah

“I didn’t think I was fast enough,” continued Philippaerts, who has been partnered with H&M Harley vd Bisschop, a grey Belgian Warmblood gelding, since last year. “I was halfway through the class and my horse is quite fast naturally, but he’s only eight and he doesn’t have all the experience yet. He did great today and I’m super happy with him. I think it’s a great horse. I hope it’s going to be one of my good horses in my future.”

Philippaerts and his twin brother, Olivier, are both competing in the international division of the Royal Horse Show®. Their father, Ludo, is a four-time Olympian for Belgium, and was ringside in Toronto to help the twins as they carry on the family name in the sport of show jumping. He was not only the proud father of the winning rider, but also the proud owner of the winning horse, as he owns H&M Harley vd Bisschop in partnership with Ben Beevers.

“I think the Royal is fantastic!” said Nicola Philippaerts. “There is so much culture and history at this show. It’s always nice to come here. The crowd not only cheers for the Canadians, but for anyone who rides well.”

Saturday’s Royal Horse Show® features the crowd-friendly $15,000 Canine-Equine Challenge, presented by the Toronto Star, as the matinee performance. The sold-out $75,000 Big Ben Challenge, presented by Hudson’s Bay Company, will close out the international show jumping division on Saturday night.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Belinda Trussell Tops $20,000 Invitational Dressage Cup at 2015 Royal Horse Show

Leave a comment

Belinda Trussell and Anton. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON won the $20,000 Royal Invitational Dressage Cup, presented by Butternut Ridge, on Thursday night, November 12, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Hot off a team silver medal appearance at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games in July, Trussell and Anton returned to the competition arena to win in front of a home crowd. With a technical program highlighted by a difficult one-handed piaffe-pirouette, the pair earned the top score of 77% from a panel of international judges to earn the title.

“Anton was great!” said Trussell of the 15-year-old German-bred gelding owned by her mother, Robyn Eames, and her husband, Mark Trussell. “He was very electric, but he was with me. It was so much fun!”

Having competed in front of a hometown crowd at the Pan American Games, Trussell was thrilled to once again perform in Toronto. It also marked her second appearance at the Royal Horse Show®, having last competed in 2003 with Royan.

“I always want to win, and I really wanted to support the sport of dressage at The Royal,” said Trussell, 44. “Being a medalist and being in front of a home crowd was important to me, and it felt really great!”

Trussell was especially thrilled to be riding Anton, as the horse has returned to the sport following a two and a half year break due to a bone lesion. She explained, “My veterinarian, Dr. Usha Knabe, brought him back for me. He is better than ever! At 15, he is reaching his prime.”

As the winner, Trussell was presented with the Butternut Ridge Trophy, generously sponsored by Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic.

“To have Deb Kinzinger and Butternut Ridge supporting our sport is huge,” said Trussell, who is now aiming for a berth at the 2016 Rio Olympics with Anton. “They are making it exciting for us to come and compete.”

Leah Wilkins, 28, of Amaranth, ON impressed in her Royal Invitational Cup debut, and used powerful and dramatic music to highlight her Freestyle performance. Riding Fabian J.S., a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Maria Simpson, Wilkins earned a score of 73.375% to finish as the runner-up. Canadian Olympian and 2013 Royal Invitational Cup competitor David Marcus flew in from Wellington, FL to coach Wilkins at the Royal Horse Show®.

Crowd favourite Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON thrilled the audience with a moving freestyle performance aboard her 2012 Olympic Games partner, D Niro. Owned by Mary Brooks and Brookhaven Dressage Inc., D Niro is a 16-year-old grey Swedish Warmblood gelding. Brooks, who has been competing at the Royal Horse Show® since dressage was first introduced, finished third on this occasion with a final score of 73.208%.

Rounding out the top four was yet another Canadian Olympian, Evi Strasser of St. Adele, QC. With a freestyle test highlighted by floating, expressive trot work, Strasser earned a final score of 70.667% riding Renaissance Tyme. The 12-year-old grey Oldenburg gelding recently made headlines when reigning Olympic and World Champion Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain rode him during a dressage demonstration at the Central Park Horse Show in September.

Equitation was also on the agenda at the Royal Horse Show® as the CET Medal Final, presented by Running Fox, took center stage on Thursday afternoon. Having claimed the Jump Canada Medal Final on Tuesday, November 10, Kassidy Keith of Duncan, BC returned to the Ricoh Coliseum to dominate the 2015 CET Medal Final. Keith was sitting second following the opening flat and gymnastic phase held Wednesday before topping the final jumping phase on Thursday afternoon. She piloted Wallabee, owned by Jolene Benham, to the top jumping phase score of 89 awarded by judges William Ellis of Ocala, FL and Mike Rosser of Southern Pines, NC. The top four riders were then called back for additional testing where Keith impressed yet again to claim the national title. Arora Peters of Aldergrove, BC finished as the runner-up, Briana Ballard of St. Lazare, QC took third, and Megan Champoux of Aldergrove, BC rounded out the top four.

The $35,000 Brickenden Trophy International Jumper class was also held on Thursday and saw Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts riding H&M Legend of Love take the win for owners Gerald Nothurft and Ludo Philippaerts. The pair topped a starting field of 20 entries as the fastest double clear following a five-horse jump-off.

Conor Swail and Ariana
Conor Swail and Ariana

To cap off the evening, Ireland’s Conor Swail executed the best course to take the win in the $35,000 International Jumper Top Score Challenge. Riders formulated their own plan, earning points for each obstacle successfully cleared before deciding whether to jump the joker fence for an additional 200 points. Riding Ariana, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Susan Grange of Cheltenham, ON, Swail successfully cleared the joker to earn a total of 1230 points and take his second victory of the week in the international division.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Captures $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Toronto at Royal Horse Show

Leave a comment

McLain Ward and HH Azur. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – McLain Ward of the United States scored his third consecutive victory in the $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto on Wednesday, November 11, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Ward of Brewster, NY topped a two-horse jump-off to claim victory in the Royal Horse Show’s World Cup qualifier for a record seventh time. After winning at The Royal in 2013 and 2014, Ward made it three in a row, taking the $132,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto in front of a packed house in the Ricoh Coliseum.

“My father competed at The Royal for a number of years and now; for my daughter to come here and be a part of this, it’s very special,” said Ward, 40, whose nine-month-old daughter Lilly was in the audience. “I love it here.”

A starting field of 22 entries attempted the tough track set by British course designer Richard Jeffery. More than half-way through the order, back-to-back clear rounds were delivered by Ireland’s Dermott Lennon aboard Loughview Lou Lou for owner Judith Sossick immediately followed by Ward riding HH Azur for Double H Farm.

Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou returned first over the shorten jump-off course, but clipped two rails for eight faults in a time of 42.04 seconds. With the door left wide open, Ward opted for a conservative clear, picking up one time fault in the process to finish in 47.58 seconds.

Despite setting a tough track that he described as “big” with no verticals set lower than 1.60m, course designer Jeffery was pleased with the outcome.

“Every fence came down at least once and I was happy with the result,” he said. “I wanted it to be a real World Cup class, and I built for that. McLain showed us tonight with that horse what a future the sport has.”

Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou
Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou

Lennon, 46, settled for second with Loughview Lou Lou, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare.

“The horse traveled well and jumped well tonight, so I am happy,” said the 2002 World Champion about the mare that shipped from Europe to Toronto to compete at the Royal Horse Show. “It was a difficult course for her and she gave a lot in the first round. She’s not the easiest ride, but she’s very competitive and always wants to try.”

Three mares dominated the top spots with Roberto Teran of Colombia posting the fastest four-fault effort in the first round riding Woklahoma to finish third for owners ARK Partners, LLC.

“Toronto is like my second hometown,” said Teran, 38, who is based in Burlington, ON during the summer season. “I always want to come here because I think it is super special. Today was a little unlucky, but I am happy with the result. Looking back, I would have pulled a little harder for that vertical and been in the jump-off!”

Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium rode H&M Forever D Arco Ter Linden to fourth place for owners Frans Lens and proud father Ludo Philippaerts while Beezie Madden and Abigail Wexner’s Breitling LS rounded out the top five for the United States.

Ward also won the $15,000 McKee International Jumper Challenge earlier on Wednesday riding Carneyhaugh Manx, but the horse on his mind at the end of the day was HH Azur, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui).

“It’s a bit of a dream,” said Ward, who won back-to-back Olympic team gold medals in 2004 and 2008. “I would say she’s the horse of a lifetime if I hadn’t had Sapphire. To get a second one like this is pretty incredible, and I hope I do her justice and manage her well. Every time the horse goes in the ring she’s better, higher, faster. The only time she has a fence down is if I have a terrible error.”

Ward explained that when he began riding HH Azur this winter, he quickly realized that she could be his mount for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“We knew after Florida that she was everything we thought she was, and she’s only gotten better this summer,” he said. “Everything she does now will be working backwards from Rio.”

Wednesday evening’s event marked the inclusion of the Royal Horse Show as one of only four Canadian events to be selected for the newly-formed Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. The class offered valuable points towards qualifying for the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final to be held from March 23 to 28 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Charlie Johnstone, CEO of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, acknowledged what a privilege it is for the Royal Horse Show to be part of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League noting, “To host the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto added to our credibility and stature in the industry. The World Cup is such an iconic event.

“We are honoured to have these riders put on such a great show for us here tonight,” he continued. “What has surprised me the most is the emotional connection that people have with The Royal. The commitment to continue that really is something special.”

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Jump Media, Show Jumping

Daniel Bluman Opens International Division with a Win at 2015 Royal Horse Show

Leave a comment

Bluman and Conconcreto Sancha LS. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Daniel Bluman of Colombia opened international show jumping competition with a win in the $20,000 International Jumper Power and Speed on Tuesday, November 10, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Show jumping talent representing six nations – Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, the United States, and New Zealand – arrived in Toronto for five days of fierce international competition. Bluman and Conconcreto Believe, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Ukato x Burggraaf) owned by Blue Star Investments, Alberto Simhon and Abraham Chehebar, topped a 19-horse starting field to score the first victory of the week. The pair turned in a time of 32.09 seconds for the win over a track set by British course designer Richard Jeffery.

“The first class of the week is usually a friendly one, but still has a very good purse,” said Bluman, 25. “If you have a horse that is naturally fast, you can let them go a little bit. That was the case with Believe; she is very careful and very, very fast. I saw the people go before me and they weren’t going crazy so I thought I wouldn’t intervene too much. It paid off, and I am happy to start with a win.”

Bluman is competing at the Royal Horse Show for the fourth time, and said, “I love Toronto. This show is a very prestigious indoor event here in North America, and I am always delighted to be invited to take part in the competition.”

Before Bluman clinched the victory, Reed Kessler of the United States had held the lead. She and Charity 33, owned by Kessler Show Stables, would eventually finish second with a time of 33.46 seconds while Ireland’s Conor Swail and Cita, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, took third place in a time of 34.42 seconds. Ten-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar of Perth, ON and the appropriately named Heros took fourth in 34.76 seconds for owners AMMO Investments. Dermott Lennon of Ireland rounded out the top five aboard Fleur IV, owned by Canada’s Rebecca McGoldrick, in 35.24 seconds.

Having already scored one victory, Bluman has his sights set on Wednesday night’s feature event, the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto. The Royal Horse Show® was selected as one of only four Canadian events to be part of the newly formed Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League.

“This is a great new format,” said Bluman of the change. “Before, there were too many World Cup qualifiers, making it difficult for the riders to jump in all of them. I think it’s great to have fewer events with more prize money and bring the level up. You can see that this week; there are only 24 riders here, but if you look at those 24, you have the big guns here. Longines has been a great supporter of equestrian sport and we, as riders, are very thankful for that.”

The Royal Horse Show marks Bluman’s fifth Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League appearance so far this season. His goal is to qualify for the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final to be held from March 23 to 28 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“I’m in a qualifying spot, but it’s not over and I need to add more points,” said Bluman. “The idea is to go to World Cup Final this year. I’ve been building a string of horses for a very long time and finally now I have enough to go.”

Bluman plans to ride Conconcreto Believe in Wednesday night’s qualifier, explaining, “The characteristics of this venue fit her well and if the course is what I expect it will be, I think I could get a good ribbon.”

Conor Swail and Martha Louise
Conor Swail and Martha Louise

The $35,000 Jolera International Jumper Welcome was held Tuesday evening, and saw the final rider of the night come home with the win. Having settled for third earlier in the day, Swail tripped the timers in the fastest time, 58.17 seconds, to take the victory riding Martha Louise for owners Susan and Ariel Grange of Cheltenham, ON. Roberto Teran of Colombia placed second with a time of 59.30 riding Woklahoma for the ARK Partners LLC while Laura Kraut of the United States took third with a considerably slower time of 64.02 riding Andretti S for Stars & Stripes.

The $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby, also held Tuesday evening, saw a win for Darcy Hayes riding Say When for owner Danielle Trudell Baran. The pair was awarded the Paddy Ann Burns Trophy in recognition of the achievement.

Erynn Ballard and Valentino Now, owned by MVB Group, accepted the Lorna Jean Guthrie Challenge Trophy, awarded to the high point horse following both the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby held Monday evening and the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby. Ballard and Valentino Now won Monday night’s $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby before placing second in Tuesday’s featured competition.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Erynn Ballard Wins $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby

Leave a comment

Erynn Ballard and Valentino Now. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON riding Valentino Now won the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby on Monday night, November 9, at The Royal Horse Show®, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

The top 17 horses in the Canadian Hunter Derby Series standings, held at various events across the country all season long, were invited to contest the National Final at the 2015 Royal Horse Show based on points accumulated in the Eastern (Quebec and Ontario) and Western (Alberta and British Columbia) qualifying divisions.

All horse and rider combinations jumped one round of competition, earning scores for their performances. Ballard was the sixth rider into the Ricoh Coliseum and laid down a trip that earned a score of 86 points from judges William Ellis of Ocala, FL and Mike Rosser of Southern Pines, NC. Ballard was also awarded ten bonus points for taking all of the high options, as well as seven bonus points for handiness, giving her an overall score of 103 points for the victory.

Already successful in the show jumping ring having won a 1.30m class at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB this year, Ballard decided to test Valentino Now, owned by MVB Group, in the hunter ring.

“He’s at an advantage because he’s seen more through his jumper experience than your average hunter,” explained Ballard, 35. “I think any experience is good experience, and Valentino’s days as a jumper paid off tonight. He made the transition to hunters easily; it’s a pleasure to have one that’s not complicated.

“He’s such a commercial, beautiful type so we thought his best option was to be a hunter,” she added. “We gave it a try to see what we have, and we have a superstar.”

Ballard will compete in both the hunter and international show jumping divisions as the Royal Horse Show continues through to November 15, and is proud to be one of the select few riders that have the opportunity to compete at The Royal.

“Anybody who is from Canada lives for The Royal,” said Ballard. “It’s important to be here, and it’s important to win here.”

Ryan Roy and Bayridge
Ryan Roy and Bayridge

Ryan Roy of King City, ON and Bayridge, owned by Doug Bannister, placed close behind Ballard in second with an overall score of 102, while Laurie Bucci of St. Jean, QC took third on a score of 101 aboard Quatro Z Fortuna for owner Monique Geseron.

Acclaimed equitation trainer Brent Balisky of Langley, BC has been coming to the Royal Horse Show for 30 years, but had never before competed himself. For the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby, Balisky traded his usual ringside view to take fourth in the irons of Vigolo Z, owned by Wendy Valdes, with a score of 98. Rounding out the top five was Ballard with a score of 96, this time aboard Contact, owned by Heather Delfino, Looking Back Farm and Redfield Farm.

Hunter Derby Course Designer Robert Carey of Caledon, ON utilized jump obstacles designed and constructed by Jeff Brandmaier of Guelph, ON and his wife Margaret ‘Muffie’ Guthrie, who are the founders and presenting sponsors of the Canadian Hunter Derby Series.

“To see everyone get excited and go after each other tooth and nail to get here put a lot of pressure on the riders,” Brandmaier said of the qualifying competition that took place throughout the 2015 season.

Giving a nod to fox hunting and traditional hunter courses, Brandmaier’s fences utilized rustic materials, but also introduced a new opportunity for sponsors within the hunter discipline.

“Sponsors have come through to present a unique set of jumps that have never been seen before tonight,” Brandmaier said. “They are on the edge of commercial, but still derby-oriented. The course encourages people to take risks, so it’s fun to watch. You saw people testing their limits with big gallops and inside turns.”

Hunter riders will return to the Ricoh Coliseum to kick off Tuesday night’s program with the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby. International jumper competitors also move into the spotlight on Tuesday with the Jolera International Jumper Welcome.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Waylon Roberts Wins Record Eighth Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge

Leave a comment

Waylon Roberts. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON won his record eighth $20,000 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge on Saturday night, November 7, at the Royal Horse Show®, taking place as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Roberts, 27, rocked the full house in the Ricoh Coliseum, bringing home the win riding West River. Carefully navigating a mix of natural cross-country obstacles and delicate show jumping fences set by course designer Mark Phillips of Great Britain, Roberts cruised to victory, posting a winning time of 177.57 seconds over the two phases of competition. Held in a two-round format, riders carried forward their times and penalties from the opening phase of competition on Friday night. Roberts had been fast and faultless on Friday night, and repeated his foot-perfect performance on Saturday to take the title.

“I’ve been with a lot of different trainers, thanks to my parents Kelly Plitz and Ian Roberts; they thought it was really important that I get a rounded education in riding, and so I did a lot of show jumping as a youngster,” said Roberts of his secret to success. “That’s really carried through to help me for this class.”

Roberts, who was a member of Canada’s bronze medal team at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games, has won the title riding a total of six of horses including Slingshot, Myrddin’s Sebastian, Donaghan, Evil Munchkin, and his 2015 Pan Am Games mount, Bill Owen. However, West River has the distinction of being the first mare he has ever won with.

As for what makes an ideal horse for the $20,000 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge, Roberts said, “It takes a handy horse, one that’s going to be really obedient for the tight turns and the quick speed, and that’s exactly what West River is. She’s not too big, and she’s really handy.”

Bruce Davidson, Jr.
Bruce Davidson, Jr.

Roberts held off the challenge from two-time World Equestrian Games competitor, Bruce Davidson, Jr. of the United States, who was also penalty-free on both nights of competition riding Wundermaske. However, his combined time of 193.97 would leave him in the runner-up position in his Royal Horse Show® debut.

Holly Jacks-Smither of Orangeville, ON added ten penalty points to her score riding Dynamo, finishing with a combined time of 196.62 seconds to take third. Karl Slezak of Tottenham, ON slotted into fourth position with Fernhill Wishes. Selena O’Hanlon of Kingston, ON rounded out the top five riding Uptown Girl.

Kendal Lehari of Uxbridge, ON rode RF D’Orbalia into sixth position while crowd favourite Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON recovered from a fall in Friday night’s competition – incurring 100 penalty points – to post a clear round with Bentley’s Best on Saturday night. Phoenix was the individual gold medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games as well as the individual silver medalist at the 2015 TORONTO Pan American Games riding Pavarotti on both occasions.

Competition resumes at the Royal Horse Show on Monday, featuring the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Jill Henselwood Claims Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship

Leave a comment

Jill Henselwood and Farfelu du Printemps. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON claimed the $100,000 Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship on Saturday night, November 7, at the Royal Horse Show®, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Riding Farfelu du Printemps, Henselwood entered the second and final phase of competition in the $100,000 Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship on Saturday evening with a perfect score of zero, having won Friday night’s opening round. The pair stayed consistent, jumping another clear round before facing off against the top six in a final jump-off. Despite having a rail down early on course, Henselwood held on the lead to win the 2015 Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship title.

“As soon as we started to jump and he could sense from me that it was serious he gave good efforts,” said Henselwood of the ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Action Breaker x Volume vd Gasthoeve) owned by John Madigan. “For this horse to get this title really means something in his resume, and starts to identify him as a top horse for Canada.”

Farfelu’s rail fell at the third fence in the final round, leaving on room for further error.

“I thought we were going to jump it, but made a mistake,” Henselwood said of her downed rail. “After that, I think Farfelu jumped everything else with a margin of another foot. I could feel the effort that he made; he didn’t want to make another mistake. He’s that kind of horse.”

Henselwood’s victory marked her second Greenhawk Canadian Championship title at the Royal Horse Show®, having also won in 2005 aboard Black Ice.

Mac Cone aboard Gasper van den Doorn
Mac Cone aboard Gasper van den Doorn

British course designer Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, Dorset set difficult tracks in all three rounds comprising the Canadian Championships, which saw Canadian Equestrian Team veterans rise to the challenge. With two beautifully executed rounds on Saturday night, Canadian Olympian Mac Cone, 63, of King City, ON, moved into the Reserve Champion position with a final score of 4.79 riding Gasper van den Doorn for owner Chadburn Holdings, Inc.

Another Canadian Olympian, Lisa Carlsen, 50, of Okotoks, AB, produced strong performances to finish third with 5.66 penalties aboard Worlds Judgement for owners WJ Partners. Susan Horn of Bolton, ON and Kingsland Farm’s Lillyfee placed fourth on 6.15 penalties, while Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON and Bart C posted 6.93 penalties to placed fifth for owner Jaybird Farm. Keean White of Rockwood, ON rounded out the top six aboard For Freedom Z, owned by Angelstone Partners, with 14.11 penalties.

Based on their results in the Canadian Championships, Henselwood and Cone secured the final two positions available in The Royal’s international show jumping division, which begins on Tuesday, November 10. They will join pre-qualified riders Carlsen, Ballard, Ian Millar of Perth, ON, Vanessa Mannix of Calgary, AB, Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, and Chris Sorensen of Caledon East, ON, in representing the Canadian flag.

Also highlighting the action on Saturday, Isabelle Lapierre of Breakeyville, QC and Cescha M dominated the Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships, presented by Uplands Charitable Foundation. Lapierre and the eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Diamant de Semilly x Hera XXIV) owned by Ecuries de la Chaudiere, topped both phases of competition to top a starting field of 16 contenders.

“She will try every time,” said Lapierre, 36, who has been riding Cescha M for the past three years. “Even when I make a mistake, she’s there, and if she makes a mistake, she knows I’ll be there. We’re a good team.”

Lapierre set a goal to pilot Cescha M in the National Talent Squad Championships following a successful summer, explaining, “She’s a young horse, and they need mileage in the ring before doing the big classes. This is a good class for young riders, and also for riders like me trying to produce young horses.”

Lapierre also won the Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships riding Diaka de Semilly, the half-sister of Cescha M’s sire, Diamant de Semilly.

“I won this 15 years ago with Diaka de Semilly and I knew talent ran in the family,” she said. “Both horses have what it takes to win, and that’s all because of their breeding.”

Another Quebec athlete, Billie Derouet of Bromont, took home the Reserve Championship in the Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships aboard her own Bonaparte VP Wisebecq. Derouet placed second to Lapierre in Friday’s opening round of competition before taking third place in Round Two on Saturday.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Competitions, Show Jumping

Jill Henselwood Leads Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship

Leave a comment

Jill Henselwood and Farfelu du Printemps. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON scored a win on opening night of the 2015 Royal Horse Show® running through November 15 as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON.

Riding Farfelu du Printemps, Henselwood won Round One of the $100,000 Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship on Friday evening, November 6. The new 2015 Canadian Champion will be crowned following Round Two on Saturday, November 7.

In the opening round of competition, speed was the name of the game as riders negotiated the track set by British course designer Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, Dorset. Henselwood and Farfelu du Printemps, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by John Madigan, posted one of only two fault-free trips, breaking the timers in 63.80 seconds to best a 24-horse starting field.

“He’s smart, clever, knows where the jumps are, and is naturally fast,” Henselwood said of the horse she found in Switzerland earlier this year for her student, Julia Madigan. While she focuses on her studies at Queen’s University, Julia Madigan has handed the reins to her coach.

“The qualities of a top show jumper are usually so high that if you put a less experienced rider on and they make a mistake it really tips the canoe, but this guy has an incredible mind,” said Henselwood, 53. “He’s a pleasure to have in my string.”

Keean White of Rockwood, ON and For Freedom Z, owned by Angelstone Partners, gave Henselwood a run for her money as the final challenger of the night. He posted a clear round, but his time of 66.02 seconds left him in the runner-up position.

Lisa Carlsen of Okotoks, AB, riding Worlds Judgement, owned by WJ Partners, were first into the Ricoh Coliseum and established the early time to beat, with a four second penalty added for one rail down giving her a time of 67.11 seconds. Her lead held for 20 trips until Henselwood and White bumped her into third. Fourth was presented to Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON and her own Viggo in 67.39 seconds, while Neil Badcock of King City, ON and Corrido rounded out the top five in 67.64 seconds for owner Jessie Bonisteel.

Henselwood is no stranger to success in the Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championship, having last won in 2005 aboard Black Ice. In addition to winning the national title, a top placing would also allow Henselwood to advance to the international division beginning November 10, highlighted by the coveted $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto on Wednesday night.

Waylon Roberts
Waylon Roberts

Opening night of the Royal Horse Show also saw a win for Isabelle Lapierre of Breakeyville, QC aboard Cescha M in Round One of the Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships, presented by Uplands Charitable Foundation. The evening came to a close with seven-time winner Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON topping the opening phase of the $20,000 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com