Ottawa, Ontario — The 2007 Jump Canada Series is heading toward an exciting conclusion as, with just four events left before the Final, Darrin Dlin has overtaken the lead with a total of 220 points.
A native of Spruce Grove, AB, currently living in Wellington, FL, Dlin has been enjoying a successful 2007 season partnered with Catwalk, a 10-year-old Canadian-bred mare sired by the late Rio Grande and owned by Odyssey Venture Inc. The duo most recently picked up 45 points for their third place finish in the $60,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix at the Kubota Collingwood Classic on August 19.
“The Collingwood Horse Show was fantastic,” commented Dlin, 37, who also currently leads the Canadian League World Cup standings. “The course was testing, but my horse jumped extremely well in the first round and even better in the jump-off.”
Dlin opened the 2007 Jump Canada Series with a sixth place finish in the $50,000 Classic Grand Prix at the Classic @ Palgrave Phase I on May 13 to earn 37.50 pints, and picked up many more along the way, including 50 points for his victory in the $100,000 Caledon Equestrian Park World Cup Qualifier on August 5 at the CSI 4*-W Caledon Summer Festival.
“It is a great honour to be leading the series, and I am extremely fortunate to have Catwalk,” commented Dlin.
Gary Brewster of West Vancouver, BC, is currently in second position with 202.50 points paired with Suzanne Brewster’s 13-year-old Irish-cross gelding, Hurricane. A win in June’s $40,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix at the Edmonton Northlands Horse Show gave them 50 points, adding to the points accumulated by two second place finishes in March in the $25,000 TD Canada Trust Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows ‘Winter Farewell’ and the $75,000 ATCO Kubota Cup Centennial Grand Prix at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
Ian Millar of Perth, ON, is currently rounding out the top three with Susan Grange and Lothlorien Farm’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Redefin. The highlight of their performances in the 2007 Jump Canada Series was a win in the $50,000 Miele Grand Prix at the Collingwood Festival on August 12 that netted 50 points.
Other top pairs sitting near the top of the Jump Canada Series leader board include Ian’s daughter Amy Millar, also of Perth, ON, and Costa Rica Z, who are in fourth position with 182.70 points. Holding fifth place overall at 177.50 points is Tamie Phillips Strathmore, AB, and her Canadian-bred gelding Lucas. Complete standings are available at http://www.jumpcanada.ca/programs/JC_standings.html.
The Jump Canada Series has proven successful in providing a national jumper circuit with high standards of competition across the country. At the end of the Jump Canada Series, overall standings are calculated using the best six results, plus the final event in the Jump Canada Series, the CN World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix to be held November 7 at the CSI-W Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. The winner of the 2007 Jump Canada Series will be presented with the prestigious Jump Canada trophy, generously donated by Barbara Anderson of Alberta, at the Royal Horse Show. New for 2007, the Jump Canada Series winner will also receive a $20,000 cash award, sponsored by Jump Canada, to be invested by the rider into a development program intended to support future elite performance.
Since its inception, the Jump Canada Series has recognized the achievements of such great horse-rider combinations as Beth Underhill and Altair (1999), Frankie Chesler and Ravenna Z (2000), Jill Henselwood and Toyzrus (2001), three-time champions, Ainsley Vince and Catch 22 (2002, 2003, and 2004), Ian Millar and In Style (2005) and current champions Margie Gayford and Stuntman.
Jump Canada is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, hunter equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.jumpcanada.ca.
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