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