Halton Hills, Ontario Yann Candele, of France, won the feature competition of the first week at the Canadian Country Classic today. 37-year-old Candele has competed in show jumping and been a professional rider/trainer around the world, but settled in Canada several years ago. Riding the 8-year-old, Belgian-bred mare Carolla Z, he produced the fastest successful round in a five-way jump-off, stopping the clock at 47.99 seconds.
Yesterday’s “Open Welcome Stake” winner, Courtney Vince of Milton, Ontario, rode Nalla to third place in 49.77 seconds. Giving Candele the best run for the money in today’s $20,000 Grand Prix was 24-year-old Keean White, of Cambridge, Ontario, on a mount named simply “S”. Like Candele’s mount, S is also an 8-year-old, Belgian-bred mare. White and S clocked a clean round in 48.67 seconds.
Candele was not the only rider from France who earned some prize money and a place in the victory gallop today. Marie Hecart, of France, entered two mounts and earned fifth and sixth place on Why Not and Tyra, respectively. Hecart is the daughter of French team member Michel Hecart and came to Canada to train with Canadian Equestrian Team veteran Eric Lamaze.
Show jumping action at the Canadian Country Classic continues tomorrow. After two days off, a new group of competitors is expected to join those already on hand for some richer, tougher competitions next week.
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