Nicole Walker Wins Running Fox CET Medal Final at Royal Horse Show
Ottawa, ON - Nicole Walker of Aurora, ON, won the Running Fox CET Medal Final on Thursday, November 10, at the 2011 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.
Riding Brittland Hughes' nine-year-old Argentine Warmblood gelding, SS San Remo, Walker won the CET Medal Final. The CET Medal Final is held over two days and consists of three phases - Flat/Gymnastic, Jumping and a Final Four test.
In the Flat/Gymnastic phase held Wednesday, November 9, riders were required to complete a demanding gymnastic course featuring counter canter, trot and hand gallop fences. Walker handily won the phase with a score of 84, which was six points ahead of her closest competitor. Returning to the Ricoh Coliseum the following day for the Jumping phase, Walker placed third with 83. First place in the Jumping Phase was awarded to Zoe Beckerman of Toronto, ON, with a score of 86.
Combining the scores from the Flat/Gymnastic and Jumping phases, the top four riders overall returned for a final test, which included rollback turns as well as hand galloping a fence immediately followed by a halt. Walker and SS San Remo performed a flawless final test, including executing a perfect final halt, to secure the win.
"It feels pretty awesome to win the CET Medal because I have been working toward this goal all year," said Walker, who is coached by Canadian Olympian, Beth Underhill. "Since this is the last ride on my horse, it is also a bitter-sweet victory."
"Winning the CET Final is a great step for my future in the sport because equitation is very important," continued Walker, who finished second in last year's Final with SS San Remo.
Designed to be a foundation for riders moving from the hunter divisions into jumper competition, the Running Fox CET Medal Final is an equitation competition where the riders are judged on their position and riding style, as well as their ability to control the horse over a jumper course. The top 16 riders, qualified from four Regional Finals held across Canada, were invited to contest the Running Fox CET Medal Final at the Royal Horse Show.
As the winner, Walker received a new Childeric saddle donated by long-time CET Medal Final sponsor, Running Fox.
Laurence Addison of Lorraine, QC, was the reserve champion while 2011 Jump Canada Medal winner, Amelia Vernon of Calgary, AB, finished third. Zoe Beckerman of Toronto, ON, placed fourth.
About Jump Canada
Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada's national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.
Canadian Show Jumping Team Victorious in Buenos Aires Nations' Cup
Ottawa, ON - The Canadian Show Jumping Team comprised of Jonathan Asselin, Angela Covert-Lawrence, Tiffany Foster and Emily George won the Nations' Cup competition held Friday, November 25, at CSIO4*-W Buenos Aires at Haras El Capricho from November 23-27, 2011.
Canada finished the two-round Nations' Cup team competition with a total of 22 faults to claim victory over Argentina and Brazil, who tied for second with a total of 26 faults. Chile placed fourth with 28 faults while the United States placed fifth with 29 faults. The home team of Argentina finished sixth with 33 faults. In the 2010 Buenos Aires Nations' Cup, Canada finished second to the United States.
As the lead-off rider, Foster, 27, of Schomberg, ON, rode Victor, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Artisan Farms and Torrey Pines Stable. In only her second appearance on the Canadian Show Jumping Team, Foster incurred four faults in the first round before returning to jump clear in the second round.
In her Canadian Show Jumping Team debut, George, 26, of Calgary, AB, rode Julie and Rick George's Quidam's Ramiro, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding, to a clear first round before incurring 13 faults in the second round.
Covert-Lawrence, 35, of St. Lazare, QC, rode Utan, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by the Eastwood Group, for the second consecutive year in the Buenos Aires Nations' Cup. The pair had one time fault in the first round and incurred four faults in the second.
Riding Makavoy, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Attache Stables, Asselin, 52, of Calgary, AB, incurred eight faults in the first round. As Canada had already secured their team victory following Covert-Lawrence's second round, Asselin did not return.
"We came down here with a great group of riders and they did not disappoint," said Mark Laskin, chef d'equipe of the Canadian Show Jumping Team in Buenos Aires. "They came through with flying colours."
"This was an important win for us because it is a qualifier for the Promotional League Final. We had the lead when we can down here, and now we have extended our lead even further," added Laskin.
All four members of the Canadian Show Jumping Team will continue competing at CSIO4*-W Buenos Aires through to Sunday, November 27, which features the World Cup Grand Prix. For complete competition details and results, visit www.haraselcapricho.com.
About Jump Canada
Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada's national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.
Jump Canada Announces 2012 Talent Squad
Ottawa, ON - The 2012 Jump Canada Talent Squad has been announced. During the 2011 season, 13 Talent Squad qualifying competitions were held in the Eastern Division while 10 qualifying competitions comprised the Western Division. The top five riders from each division form the 2012 Jump Canada Talent Squad. They are, in alphabetical order, as follows:
Rider / Hometown / Horse
Ben Asselin / Calgary, AB / Magic Man owned by Attache Stables Margie Gayford / Sharon, ON / Calando Z owned by Paddy Ann Burns
Katelyn Lesway / Kemptville, ON / Limited Edition owned by B & M Farms
Lauren Patava / Toronto, ON / Sly owned by Bonaventure Farms
Tamie Phillips / Strathmore, AB / Lerche 37 owned by Tamie Phillips Ryan Roy / King City, ON / Limbo 124 owned by Doug Bannister
Dominique Shone / Langley, BC / Ka Ching owned by Caroline Shone
Lanie Thomas / Richmond, BC / Albion owned by Lanie Thomas
Femke van den Bosch / Red Deer, AB / TomTom owned by John van den Bosch Jennifer Whyte / Cochrane, AB / Peninsula Apollo owned by Bryte Enterprises Ltd.
The National Talent Squad Series is a means of recognizing up-and-coming riders who are preparing to enter the grand prix ranks and demonstrate the ability to become future members of the Canadian Equestrian Team. Complete details on the Jump Canada Talent Squad Series are available on the Jump Canada website www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.
About Jump Canada
Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada's national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.
Amelia Vernon Captures Jump Canada Medal Final
Ottawa, Ontario - Amelia Vernon of Calgary, AB, won the Jump Canada Medal Final on November 8 during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
Following the completion of regional and provincial Jump Canada Medal Finals, the top finishers from across Canada were invited to contest the Jump Canada Medal Final Championship at the Royal Horse Show. In September, Vernon and Granted won the CET Medal Prairie Regional Final at the Fall Classic tournament, hosted at Anderson Ranch, in Calgary, AB.
At the Royal, Vernon navigated the challenging 12 obstacle course flawlessly riding Granted, a 10-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Emil Spadone of Redfield Farms.
"I am really happy to win because this has been a really stressful and exciting year," said Vernon, 16. "I am thrilled that it is ending on such a great note. I competed at the Jump Canada Medal Final when I was 12 and 13, so it has always been a goal to win."
The Jump Canada Medal Championship course, set at a height of 1.09m (3'6"), rode forward while incorporating broken lines, tight rollbacks, two combinations, natural jumps and a skinny wall without wings. Out of the 29 entries, eight riders were invited back for the flat phase where riders were required to show a sitting trot, as well as the three gaits of walk, trot and canter in both directions. For the final test to determine the overall placings, the top four riders remained in the ring for a ride-off over a shortened course. The riders were asked to design a course themselves, with the requirements being to show two fences at a canter, one at a counter-canter and one jump at the hand-gallop. Vernon, last to go, demonstrated all the elements perfectly to remain the judges' top pick.
"Amelia has been riding with me since she was eight years old," said Vernon's coach, Jenn Serek, a Canadian Grand Prix rider and Equine Canada level 2 coach. "All of my riders have been creating their own ride-off tests during practice their whole careers. We are so proud of Amelia."
Finishing in second position was Zoe Beckerman of Toronto, ON, with her own horse, Barrichello DDH, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
"My horse is actually a jumper, so for him to go in the ring and jump around so nicely made me very pleased," said Beckerman, who was also the runner-up in 2010.
Victoria Soucier of Caledon, ON, earned third place riding Capriato, owned by Windy Hill Farm, while Brigitte McDonald of Calgary, AB, and Lancaster, owned by James, Susan and Brigitte McDonald, rounded out the top four.
About Jump Canada
Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada's national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.
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