Canadian Show Jumping: looking back at 2005 and look forward to 2006
2005 was a great year for show jumping in Canada. The following is a list of “hot” riders, their horses and major accomplishments in 2005. I have also included a list of riders to watch; the future of the Canadian Show Jumping Team.
Once again, in 2006, Time Flies Equine Photography will be at most of the major hunter-jumper competitions in Ontario. Watch here for show reports, results and photos.
- Sandi Hall, Time Flies Equine Photography
Erynn Ballard
Erynn, from Hillsburgh, Ontario, is the daughter of international course designer, David Ballard and top hunter trainer Sandy Ballard. One of the most versatile riders on the circuit, Erynn still can be found dividing her time between hunters and jumpers, although the latter take up more and more of her attention. In 1997 Erynn won the Junior Invitational Grand Prix in Tampa on a catch-ride. 1998 she won the Maclay Medal Finals and, the following year, the individual gold medal at the NAYRC. Since then, Erynn has ridden a number of top grand prix horses. She also has some talented youngsters in Pour Patrice, Possibilities and her own, Trocadero and is the main rider for W. Charlot Farms (www.charlotfarm.com), home of Rio Grande and many other top stallions.
Robin Van Roosendael: 12 year old Belgian gelding by Skippy II is owned by the Ballards’ Looking Back Farms. In 2005, some of their top placings included a 2nd in the $75,000 EMO GP at HITS on the Hudson, New York, 4th in the $50,000 GP at the Caledon National and a 5th in the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Caledon Summer Festival.
Rio’s Rhapsody: 11 year old grey Canadian Hanoverian mare by Rio Grande owned Sterling Honda and the Lecluse family. In 2005, the pair had a stellar year with results including a 3rd in $25,000 GP and 1st in the $50,000 GP at HITS Ocala IV, 3rd in the $100,000 HITS GP at the HITS Winter Finals, Ocala, 1st in the $10,000 Modified GP at Palgrave Classic I, 5th in the $50,000 GP at Caledon National and 6th in the $100,000 John Deere WCQ at Tournament of Champions in Ontario.
Futurist: this 11-year old Hanoverian stallion by For Pleasure is just one of many W. Charlot Farm horses shown by Erynn. This lovely boy was brought on through the Jumper Development Series, before moving steadily up through the ranks. In 2005, Futurist placed 4th in the $10,000 Modified GP at the Caledon National, 4th in the $10,000 Modified GP at the Classic II, 2nd in the $10,000 Champion Shavings Modified GP at the Caledon Summer Festival and won the $10,000 Modified GP at the Collingwood Festival.
Laurie Bucci
Laurie and husband of eight years, Francis Berger have 70 horses at their South Shore Farm (www.southshorefarm.net/indexen.php ) in St. Hilaire, Quebec. She followed the usual route of lessons, ponies, and hunters before moving to the jumper divisions as a young rider. In 1989, Laurie and Pauly, a Selle Francais gelding she purchased from Mario Deslaurier won the Junior World Cup in Tampa in 1989. A few months later they won individual gold at the NAYRC. In 1992, they would win team and individual silver at the NAYRC. In 1999 she began showing at Grand Prix level and won the Jump Canada Talent Squad Championships. She’s never looked back but is looking forward to training with Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum for 10 weeks in the spring to prepare her top three rides for the 2006 season.
Catesko: Laurie’s number one, one-eyed wonder. This 9 year old Holsteiner gelding lost an eye after an accident as a 2-year old. Anyone watching the powerful jumper would have to say this “handicap” doesn’t seem to bother him at all! In 2005, their top placings included a 2nd in the $50,000 EMO GP at HITS Culpeper, Virginia, a 3rd in the Welcome Stake at Bromont I, and 2nd in the $20,000 Open Welcome and 3rd in the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier at Caledon Summer
Festival.
Frankie Chesler
Born in 1981, Frankie’s started out her horsey life as a competitor in barrel racing and team penning. She switched allegiances and, in 1997, won team and individual silver medals at the N.A.Y.R.C. with Braveheart, her black quarter horse. In 1998, after receiving special permission, the seventeen year old rode on Canada’s Nations Cup Team in New York; the team placed 2nd. In 2004, Frankie spent the better part of the year competing in Europe to gain valuable experience. On September 17, 2005, Frankie married Venezuelan show jumper Juan Ortiz at her family’s Sher-Al Farms (www.frankiechesler.com) in Orangeville, Ontario.
VDL Oscar: a 10-year old Dutch gelding acquired by Canterbury Farms in 2001. In 2005, the pair were members of the 4th place Nations Cup Team at Wellington Florida and also placed 6th in the $50,000 GP at Caledon National.
VDL Nuit de Pomme: son of gold medal winner Jus de Pommes, “Buddy” jumps as easily as his famous father. In 2005, they won the the $75,000 Big Ben Memorial/Kubota Cup GP at the Capital Classic in Ottawa, Ontario and the $60,000 Kubota Cup GP at the Collingwood Classic in Ontario.
Picolien Zeldenrust: a former broodmare with no ring experience, Frankie bought the mare in 2004 while working in Holland. In 2005, her judgement proved correct as they won the $10,000 Modified GP at the Classic @ Palgrave I, the $10,000 Modified GP at Caledon National, the 1.45m jumper at Classic II and were 6th in the $20,000 Open Welcome at Caledon Summer Festival.
Mac Cone
Mac Cone rides out of his own Southern Ways Stables in King. He has the distinction of being the only rider to have competed for both the Canadian and U.S. equestrian teams. Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1955, Mac has ridden internationally since the late 1970s.
Cybella: owned by Southern Ways, this Holsteiner mare by Cassini is a energetic but careful jumper. In 2005, Mac and Cybella won the Welcome Stake at the Jacksonville Internationale CSI**, were 2nd in a 1.45m (modified) and 8th in the $50,000 GP at the Classic I and 4th in the $10,000 Open Welcome at the Caledon National.
Melinda: also owned by Southern Ways, this Dutch warmblood mare too enjoyed success stateside, placing 2nd in the $50,000 Jacksonville Internationale CSI**, as well as 2nd in the $10,000 Open Welcome at the Classic I at Palgrave, Ontario.
Karen Cudmore
Born in Victoria, B.C. in 1959 to unhorsey parents, her first pony cost $50.00. From then til now, her life consisted of ride, buy and sell. Karen and husband (and fellow Canadian) Blair are based at Heartland Farm, Omaha, Nebraska where they have a large Holsteiner breeding operation. Karen first rode for Canada in the Nations Cup at the CSIO in Wellington, Florida in 2002.
Conejo: with the 14-year old, speed jumping stallion, won the $60,000 World Cup Qualifier at Blainville, Quebec and came 2nd in the Welcome Stake at Bromont I, Quebec in 2005.
Moxie: the 12-year old Dutch gelding by Hugo worked hard not to be outdone by his teammate, coming 2nd in the $35,000 Kubota Cup at Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and 4th in the Welcome Stake at Bromont I, Quebec.
Mario Deslaurier
In 1984, Mario became the younger rider (at age 19) and first Canadian to win the World Cup Final. In 1988 he competed at the Olympics as a member of the 4th place team. By 1999 he had competed in over 100 World Cup Qualifiers. In 2005 he acquired some serious horsepower to stage an equally serious comeback.
Naomi: formerly ridden by American Molly Ashe, is a beautiful, Belgian mare by Cantus. This big-striding mare was 2nd in the $55,000 Kubota Cup and 3rd (tied with her stablemate Paradigm) in the $75,000 CN Grand Prix at Bromont, Quebec. She was 4th in the $75,000 Molson Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters, 1st in the $25,000 Speed Classic and 2nd in the $100,000 John Deere WCQ at Tournament of Champions in Palgrave Ontario, and 2nd in the $35,000 Kubota
Cup GP at the Maritime Winter Fair in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Paradigm: a Belgian gelding by Nabab de Reve was imported by former Canadian team member, Mark Laskin several years ago. During the summer tournaments at Spruce Meadows in 2005, Mark and Mario decided to swap horses. Paradigm and Mario clicked. They placed 3rd in the $75,000 CN GP at Bromont, Quebec, 2nd in the WCQ at the Collingwood Festival and 5th in the $60,000 Kubota Cup at the Collingwood Classic in Ontario. At Spruce Meadows Masters, they brought the crowd to its feet, finishing 3rd in the $1 million CN International. In 2006, they were members of the winning Nations Cup Team at Wellington, Florida.
Graf Lando: a 9 year old Hanoverian gelding by Graf Grannus. Mario purchased Graf Lando from Lars Neiberg in the summer of 2005. A partnership was immediately formed and the pair 4th in the $10,000 Modified GP at Collingwood Festival in Ontario and 3rd in the $35,000 Kubota Cup GP at the Maritime Winter Fair in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Jill Henselwood
Crowned Canadian Show Jumping Champion in 2005, Jill Henselwood (www.jillhenselwood.com) has been spending time in the saddle for over 35 years. She began riding at age 5, sharing a pony with her sister. In her early teens, she was hired by to ride Bob Henselwood’s horses. Jill attended the University of Ottawa where she majored in Human Kinetics and Pedagogy and minored and in Children’s Literature. Jill and Bill married and run Juniper Farms, south of Ottawa, together. In 1989 she began competing on the World Cup qualifying circuit and in 1991 was named Canadian Rookie of the Year. In 1992 she competed in the World Cup Finals and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Special Ed: this Oldeburg gelding by Argentinus was originally imported to the US from Europe as a potential dressage horse. Special Ed came to Jill via Canadian dressage rider, Suzanne Dutt- Roth, who felt the horse was better suited to the jumper ring. Together since 2003, Jill and Special Ed have racked up a number of wins and top 5 placings across North America. In 2005 they won the $50,000 EMO GP and were 3rd in the $30,000 Ariat GP at HITS Indio I. Off to Europe, they were a respectable 7th in the $160,000 VDL World Cup Qualifier in the Netherlands. Returning to the States, it was another win in the $25,000 Lexington Classic and 3rd in the $50,000 Mary Rena Murphy GP at the Kentucky Spring Classic. At the Spruce Meadows North American, the popular pair placed 3rd in the $175,000 Chrysler Classic and Jill was named Leading Canadian Rider. Their luck at Spruce Meadows continued with a 3rd in the $100,000 CN Performance GP World Cup Qualifier at The Continental, and a 5th in the World Cup Qualifier at The Canada One. They won the $60,000 World Cup Qualifier at Bromont , Quebec, and were 4th in the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Caledon Summer Festival in Ontario.
Black Ice: this 11 year old, owned by American Stacie Ryan, took a long time to mature but it’s worth the wait. In 2005, Black Ice helped Jill clinch the Canadian Show Jumping Championship title. In 2006, they have already started the season on a high note with a 2nd in the $30,000 Ariat GP at Hits Indio in January and, in March, a win in the $150,000 GP at HITS Indio VI.
Eric Lamaze
Born in Montreal, Quebec in 1968, Eric has made Schomberg, Ontario home for many years. This accomplished rider has spent his entire life in the saddle, being coached by Hugh Graham, Jay Harris, George Morris and others. He began competing at grand prix level in 1992 and was named to the Canadian Equestrian Team one year later. Overcoming major, personal difficulties in 1996 and 2000, Eric has made his Torrey Pines Stables into one of the biggest and most successful equine businesses in Canada. His string of top horses is lengthy (much too lengthy for this column!) but here are the ones who were the crème de la crème in 2005.
Tempete VH Lindehof: a black, 10 year old Belgian gelding by Darco is owned by Ashland Farms. Since 2003, Tempete and Eric have been a force to be reckoned with every time they cantered into the ring. They started off 2005 with a win in the $25,000 Ariat WEF Challenge Cup and a 3rd in the $75,000 Zada Enterprises Masters Cup at Wellington, Florida. They also won the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup at the Spruce Meadows National and were 5th in the Esso Challenge at the Spruce Meadows Canada One.
Pulque: this Dutch warmblood gelding has a split personality; lazy in the warm-up and a tiger in the ring. Early in 2005, they won the $7500 1.45m at Zada Wellington Masters and were 2nd in the $20,000 1.5m Classic at the Wellington Finale. Back in Ontario, they placed 2nd in the $50,000 GP at Classic I at Palgrave before heading west and winning the $10,000 Canadian Utilities Cup at the Spruce Meadows Continental.
Hickstead: this lovely, brown Dutch stallion by Hamlet may, by his own admission, be the best horse Eric has ever sat on. In 2005 they placed 2nd in a $20,000 1.5m jumper at the Zada Wellington Masters in Florida and won the $20,000 1.5m jumper at Cosequin Wellington Open. Back home, they were 3rd in the $50,000 GP at Classic I and 2nd in the $10,000 Open Welcome at Caledon National in Palgrave. Heading west to show jumping mecca (otherwise known as Spruce Meadows), they won the ATCO Midstream Challenge at The National, were 2nd in the $25,000 Husky Cup at The Continental. They also won the $50,000 Keg Steak House GP at Thunderbird Show Park in British Columbia. In the $1 million CN International they finished a crowd pleasing 5th, just two places behind countryman Mario Deslaurier. At Tournament of Champions in Ontario, a show where Lamaze is a founding member and technical delegate, they placed 5th in the $100,000 John Deere WCQ. At the season finale for Canada, the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in Toronto, they finished the year on a high with a 2nd in the $60,000 CN World Cup GP and a 3rd in the $60,000 Ricoh Big Ben International Challenge. In 2006, they were members of the winning Nations Cup Team at Wellington, Florida.
Ian Millar
At the age of 58, Ian (also known affectionately as Captain Canada) is showing no signs of slowing down. Ian has ridden in 8 Olympic Games, numerous World Cup qualifiers and finals, but it was with his super-horse, Big Ben, that he became a household name in Canada. Ian is still Spruce Meadows #1 money winner of all-time, taking home over $2 million in winnings. In 2005, Ian was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the world famous Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in Ontario.
In Style: an 11-year old, Holsteiner gelding by Acord II, In Style is owned by Sue Grange’s Lothlorien Stables (www.lothlorienfarm.com) in Cheltenham, Ontario. The 2005 show year started well with top placings in Wellington, Florida before returning home to Canada in the spring. At the first show of the year in Ontario, The Classic at Palgrave I, In Style and Ian won the $50,000 grand prix. In Alberta, at the Spruce Meadows Canada One, the pair were 6th in the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup. In the autumn, back in Ontario, they won the Canada Cup Championships at the Tournament of Champions. In 2006 they were members of the winning Nations Cup Team at Wellington, Florida.
Promise Me: a 13-year old Dutch warmblood gelding by Lauriston owned by The Baker’s Dozen Syndicate. Ian started showing Promise Me in 2002 and their performances are always consistent. In 2005, they head west to the Spruce Meadows Canada One and placed 3rd in the West Jet Cup. At the Capital Classic in Ottawa, they won the $35,000 Derby and came 7th in the highly competitive $75,000 Big Ben Memorial/Kubota Cup GP. They ended the year on a high with wins in the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Caledon Summer Festival, a 4th in the $100,000 John Deer WCQ at Tournament of Champions and another win in the $40,000 Kubota Cup Final at The Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in Toronto, Ontario.
John Pearce
Born in 1960 in Toronto, John has spent most of his adult life in Stouffville, Ontario at his own Forest View Farms (www.johnpearce.com) . He began riding in the early 70s and made his presence felt in the grand prix ring in 1990 with Super Trooper. Besides being an accomplished rider, John is also an expert carpenter who designed and built his own barn.
Archie Bunker: this Oldenburg gelding had a great year in the modifieds in 2005, winning the $5000 Jimmy Williams Classic at HITS Indio IV, the $10,000 Modified GP at the Summer Classic in Palgrave. At the Capital Classic in Ottawa, Archie Bunker moved on up and placed 2nd in the $75,000 Big Ben Memorial/Kubota Cup. This year, he’s started things out right with top places on the Indio circuit, including a win in the $30,000 Ariat GP at HITS Indio IV and a 2nd in both the $30,000 GP and the $150,000 GP at HITS Indio VI.
Urioso: this 9-year old Belgian gelding was bought by John in 2003, as a barely-broke 6 year old. He worked steadily with the horse, accepting his unorthodox jumping style, and spent 2004 competed in Level 3 (High Prelim) and Level 4 (Modifieds) with many decent placings. In 2005, they started out the year with a 2nd in the $10,000 Modified GP at the Caledon National in the spring. By the summer, they were competing at grand prix level and finished 4th in the $60,000 Kubota Cup at the Collingwood Classic. 2006 has started out on a high for the pair with a win in the $75,000 HITS GP-WCQ at Indio II, a 2nd in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited GP at HITS Indio IV , a 4th in the $75,000 Surpass GP at HITS Indio V and many other top four placings inbetween.
Champagne: a grey Holsteiner gelding owned by Forest View Farms has enjoyed success over the years with John. In 2005 they had many top six placings, as well as winning $35,000 Kubota Cup at the Maritime Fall Fair in Halifax. Part of Forest View Farms’ triple threat in Indio, Champagne and John won the $30,000 Ariat GP at Hits Indio I and were 5th in the $30,000 Ariat GP at Indio IV.
Chris Pratt
Born in 1968 in Toronto, Ontario, many people are familiar with the story of how Chris’ parents traded four goats to get his first pony. But good thing they did! Chris is now the main rider and trainer for Lothlorien Stables (www.lothlorienfarm.com) in Cheltenham, Ontario. His first national horse show was in 1985 at, ironically, Lothlorien Farms, on his pony Little Big Man. Since then he has shown hunters, then jumpers, winning the National Talent Squad series finals in 1994. Chris, besides being a rider and coach, has his own business, Performance Horses Unlimited in Caledon, Ontario. In 2005 is announced his engagement to fellow rider, Jennifer Jones.
Rivendell: an 11-year old, big, Westphalian gelding by Piano II has been partnered with Chris since 2003. They’ve enjoyed much success together and 2005 was no different. The pair placed 4th in the $75,000 Big Ben Memorial/Kubota Cup GP at the Capital Classic in Ottawa. They won the $20,000 Open Welcome at the Caledon Summer Festival, the $10,000 Open Welcome and in the World Cup Qualifier at the Collingwood Festival. For the first time in his career, Chris was named to Canada’s Nations Cup Team for the Spruce Meadows Masters. Sadly, the competition was cancelled due to torrential rains and high winds. This did not dampen his enthusiasm and Chris was seen shortly afterward at the Tournament of Champions in Palgrave, Ontario, winning the $100,000 John Deere Canada Cup Championship.
Mustique: a 9-year old Dutch warmblood mare by Indoctro, this mare is showing much promise. In 2005 Chris and Mustique won a young jumper class in Florida for 7/8 year olds, were 3rd in the $10,000 Open Welcome and in the $50,000 GP at Caledon National and 5th in the World Cup Qualifier (her first!) at Blainville, Quebec. In 2006, they were members of the winning Nations Cup Team at Wellington, Florida.
Beth Underhill
Born in 1962 in Guelph, Ontario, Beth started riding in 1969 at her local Pony Club. By the age of 21 she was competing in the Open Jumpers and was Ontario Champion in 1984 and 1986. In 1990, she rode on the Canadian team for the first time and has represented Canada at nearly every major international show jumping competition since. By 2003, Beth has ridden in more than 25 Nations Cups, Pan Ams, Olympics, and World Equestrian Games. She has a very talented ride in the young Irish horse, Mystical Sprite.
Magdaline: a 12-year old, Dutch chestnut mare, Beth and Magdaline have been paired together since 2002. Each year has been more successful then the last. In 2005, they did very well on the HITS Ocala winter circuit before returning to Canada. Back home, they were 1st in the $10,000 Open Welcome and 2nd in the $50,000 GP at the Caledon National. Returning stateside, they were 6th in the $50,000 EMO GP and 4th in the $50,000 HITS GP at Culpeper, Virginia. Hitting the road again, they returned to Canada for more summer shows, taking many top placings including a 2nd in the $60,000 Kubota Cup at the Collingwood Classic. Crossing the border once more, they placed 2nd in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix in Saugerties, New York. At the Tournament of Champions at Palgrave, Ontario there were 3rd in the $25,000 Speed Classic before heading east for the Maritime Winter Fair in Halifax, Nova Scotia where they were 5th in the $35,000 Kubota Cup.
Ainsley Vince
Born in 1976, Ainsley is the eldest of the show jumping Vince sisters. Younger sisters, Courtney and Sydney are active, accomplished amateur competitors. Ainsley, at the age of 10, started out like many, in the pony hunters. She developed her riding skills to become one of Canada’s top equitation riders. In 1995, she was named to the Canadian Equestrian Team for the first time. Since then Ainsley has been an alternate for the Pan Am Games, finished third for points in the
Canadian World Cup League, represented Canada at three World Cup Finals, was runner-up for the American Grand Prix Association’s Rookie of the Year. And that’s not all. She has repeatedly been the Canadian Show Jumping Champion, Canada’s Equestrian of the year (2001) and has more then 20 grand prix victories to her credit. In 2004, after five years of life on the road, Ainsley opened her self-run sales and training barn, Linden Ridge, in Cedar Valley, Ontario. She has a number of talented rides including Kafka, Uno and Ironhorse Nicarta, but her own Catch 22 remains the #1 star in the barn.
Catch 22: known simply as “Telly” at home, this 16 year old Dutch gelding by Notaris is showing no signs of slowing down. Purchased in 1996 from American Mclain Ward, Catch 22 was a difficult, strong ride for Ainsley. However, the pair seemed to come to terms and have enjoyed a very successful career together. In 2005 they placed 2nd in the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup and were on the 4th place Nations Cup Team at Cosequin Wellington Open in Florida. At HITS on the Hudson, they 7th in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited GP and in the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National SJ Championships. Back home, they wrapped up the year with a 3rd in the $40,000 Kubota Cup Final at The Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in Toronto.
Riders on the Rise
Carly Campbell Cooper
A long-time student of Beth Underhill, Carly moved to Hunxe, Germany in the summer of 2005 to train with top Irish rider, Jessica Kurten. From 2000 to 2003, Carly qualified for the NAYRC, winning three individual medals and four team medals. In 2005 she graduated an Honours Degree in Political Science and a minor in anthropology from McMaster University in Hamilton.
Croft Temptation: a 13-year old Dutch warmblood gelding. Longtime partners, this pair enjoyed the following top placings in 2005: 2nd in the $10,000 U-Dump Jr./Am. 7 at HITS Ocala I and a win in a Jr./Am. 1.40m at the Summer Classic at the Caledon Equestrian Park..
Santa Lucia: an energetic Belgian warmblood mare purchased from Eric Lamaze, they had a stellar year in 2005 with multiple wins in the 1.30m and 1.35m junior/amateur divisions.
Napier: an 11 year old Belgian warmblood, they won both the $10,000 Jr/Am 7 at HITS Ocala II and the $10,000 U-Dump Trailer Level 7 at HITS Ocala IV.
Kim Farlinger
One of Jill Henselwood’s star pupils, Kim started riding ponies in 1991 at the age of seven. By the time she hit her late teens, she was a working pupil at Henselwood’s Juniper Farms. One year later, she was riding in her first grand prix and competing at Spruce Meadows, making her dream come true.
Del Destino: an 11 year old gelding by Dutch Capital, “Dino” came to Kim via Emile Hendrix’s stable. After winning the individual gold medal in the 2003 NAYRC CSI J-R Individual, the pair continued to have success in the junior/amateur division and open jumpers. In 2005 they started out the year competing on the HITS Indio circuit. Highlights included a 5th in the $50,000 EMO GP, a 4th in the $75,000 Bayer GP (I) and a 3rd in the $10,000 Jr./Am-O (II). At both the Spruce Meadows National and the North American, Kim was awarded the gold medal in the Molson 3 Star for the top rider over the age of 19 who has yet to be named to a senior international team. The success out west continued with a 7th in the $72,500 Sun Life Financial Reach for the Sun and a gold and silver in the Molson Three Star with Del Destino and La Forza respectively at the Spruce Meadows Canada One.
La Forza; Kim’s father, Peter, purchased this Dutch mare by Nabab de Reve late in 2004 from Emile Hendrix. The first year they did well in the junior/amateur division as well as the modifieds. In 2005, Kim and La Forza placed 3rd in the $25,000 Lexington Classic at the Spring Classic, won the silver in the Molson 3 Star at the Spruce Meadows North American, were 4th individually at the NAYRC, 2nd in the $20,000 International Accumulator 4th in the International Hit and Hurry at the Washington International Horse Show.
Margie Gayford
Daughter of former team rider and Chef D’Equipe of the Canadian SJ Team, Tom, Margie is rider, trainer and a Level 3 coach at Wingberry Farms (www.wingberryfarms.com) of King, Ontario and Wellington, Florida. Margie followed in the footsteps of her famous father, riding ponies, hunter (and foxhunting) and jumpers. She has been successful in the National Talent Squad competitions and, with her latest star, Stuntman, moved into a whole new level.
Stuntman: owned by Wingberry Farm and Shawn Littler, first partnered with Margie in 2004 with success. In 2005, they were did well in the modifieds, as well as placing 6th in the $75,000 Big Ben Memorial/ Kubota Cup GP at the Capital Classic, Ottawa, 4th in the WCQ at the Collingwood Festival and 3rd in the $100,000 John Deere WCQ at Tournament of Champion in Palgrave, Ontario.
Hugh Graham
Although more a “come and stayed” then an “up and comer”, Hugh Graham has become known as the producer of many, many top green horses. These horses are definitely “up and comers’ in the world of grand prix show jumping. With King Ridge Stables (www.kingridge.com) , he has practically cornered the market in the Jumper Development and other young horse classes.
There are too many to list here, but his top young horses in the 2005 competitive season included: Black Diamond (by Chin Chin), Double Diamond (by Habab de Reve) who won the $10,000 Young Horse (5 year olds) Championships at the 2004 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, and Democrat 3E (by Cruising).
Mike Grinyer
Born in England in 1953, Mike has lived and run his business, Mike Grinyer Stables, in Campbelleville, Ontario for many years now. He first jumped to prominence on Davos and Rio Grande. Most recently he has enjoyed great success with Alcatraz.
Alcatraz; this quirky, Holsteiner gelding was purchased from the Italian team by Mike in 2002. After a year in the modifieds, they moved up to grand prix level. 2005 was Alcatraz’s second year in the GPs and what a year it was. 1st in the $35,000 Kubota Cup at Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, 1st in the $10,000 Modified GP at the Classic II at Palgrave and 2nd in the $40,000 Kubota Final at The Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in Toronto, Ontario.
Mark Layton
Born in 1989 in Newfoundland, Canada, Mark began riding at the age of 8. When his talent began to show, his mother, Renee Marquis, took him to Ottawa to spend the summer training for the hunter ring. Born 1989. When he turned 14, he began to be trained by Jill Henselwood, whom they had met previously when trying out horses at Juniper Farms. Jill has been his coach ever since and it shows!
Nairobi: an honest, fast, aged Dutch mare by Martel. In 2005, among other accomplishments, the pair placed 1st in the $5000 Jr/Am Low Classic at HITS Indio III and 3rd in a Jr./Am. 1.40m at Caledon Summer Festival.
Nicole: an 11-year old Dutch mare by Concorde, Nicole carried Mark to a win in the Rising Star division in 2004, as well as many top three placings at Spruce Meadows. In 2005 they continued to perform well with results including a 5th in the $10,000 Champion Shavings Modified GP at Caledon Summer Festival at Palgrave.
Christopher Lowe
From Burnaby, British Columbia, Christopher began riding at the age of 14. One year later, under the tutelage of coaches Laura and Brent Balisky, he won the World Champion Hunter Rider title. In 2000 and 2004 he was a member for the B.C. team at the N.A.Y.R.C. A graduate of Simon Fraser University, Christopher had a degree in business and is interested in continuing his education in the future. With his sights set firmly on the jumper ring, Christopher is currently being coached by Eric Lamaze and is competing on Torrey Pines horses as well as his own, Jackpot.
Jackpot: an 11-year old Oldeburg purchased by Lowe in 2000. Christopher rode Jackpot up through the ranks, developing his untapped talent. In 2005 they won (and 7th overall in the open division) in the Showpark Spring Festival Open Jumper Classic at Del Mar, California. At home in B.C., the pair also won the $35,000 Thunderbird Showpark GP and placed 7th in the CN Reliability GP at Spruce Meadows in Alberta.
Christie McQuaker
Based out of Gryphon Farms (http://www.gryphonfarms.com/) of Schomberg, Ontario, Christie grew up in the saddle, competing in her first show at the ripe old age of 4! In 1989 she was a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the NAYRC. In 1998, she began competing on the grand prize circuit with Fly By Night, a horse she brought on as a 3-year old by herself. That year, she finished in the top 10 of the World Cup Standings for Canada. Christie is married to Mac McQuaker, a former hunter/jumper rider whose interests now light in show management and course design. Christie coaches over 20 students and competes in the grand prix division with Ella.
Ella: an 8-year old mare by the Belgian stallion Omar, Christie purchased the horse from Eric Lamaze’s Torrey Pines in 2003. A consistent performer in both the modified and open division, in 2005 their highlights included winning $5000 Next Generation Speed Classic at the Tournament of Champions Horse Show in Palgrave, Ontario.
Tamie Phillips
Originally from B.C., but now a resident of Alberta, the highlight of Tamie’s career to date must be winning the Chrysler Leading Rider Award with her beautiful homebred mare by Starman, Starlet at the 2005 Spruce Meadows Masters.
Lucas: a 10-year old homebred gelding by Lucino Z, Lucas and Tamie won the $35, 000 Kubota Cup at the Northlands Horse Show in Alberta as well as the Western Division Championships of the Kubota series.
Elliott Stone
Born in 1982, Elliott looks more like a hockey player then a rider, but that is no handicap in Canada. He started showing in 1993 and won a jumper class his first time out. In 2000 he was named the Xerox Junior of the Year at the Spruce Meadows North American and was the Rising Star Champion the following year. A NAYRC medallist, Elliott has been coached by Frankie Chesler and Eric Lamaze.
Freestyle: a 12-year old Belgian warmblood by Nabab de Reve, this well-bred mare has a big heart and always tries. In 2005, the pair placed 4th in $50,000 TR3 GP in Ocala’s Winter Festival, 3rd in the $25,000 Emerson Place GP, 6th in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited GP and in the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National SJ Championships at HITS on the Hudson. Back home in Canada, they placed 3rd in the $75,000 GP at Bromont, Quebec and were 3rd in the WCQ at the Collingwood Festival.
Courtney Vince
Born in 1979, Courtney began riding with Eric Lamaze at the age of fourteen. Three years later she was a member of the bronze medal winning team at the NAYRC and placed 9th individually. The following year, it was team silver. In 2001, Courtney made her grand prix debut, also tackling several World Cup Qualifiers. An economics graduate from the University of Toronto, Ainsley is currently working for Eric’s Torrey Pines Stables, handling the financial aspects of his
business as well as showing horses. She has a number of promising rides in Kandele, Nalla, Lauren and Franklin.
Arriscraft Cassius: previously shown by Canadian Keean White, Courtney took over the ride in 2005. With Courtney in the saddle, the pair placed 3rd in the $10,000 Modified GP at the Caledon Equestrian Festival and 6th in the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Caledon Summer Festival.
Keean White
Born 1983 to horse-loving parents, it’s no wonder Keean White has chosen a career in show jumping. At Angelstone Farms (www.angelstonefarms.com) Keann is busy as a rider, trainer and coach to, among others, his three sisters and his father. Keean began riding at age 10, training with coach and international course designer, David Ballard. In 2000, he won team bronze at NAYRC and the Jr./Am. Jumper Canadian Championships. He returned to the NAYRC in 2001 and won team silver, as well as the Jump Canada Talent Squad Championships. In 2002, Keean graduated to grand prix level and, in Ocala, was named the HITS Grand Prix Rider Rookie of the Year at Ocala. Back at the NAYRC, it was another team silver and, at home, winning Talent Squad Finals once more. In the 2003 winter series at Ocala, Keean (now under the tutelage of Eric Lamaze) took a ribbon in every Sunday grand prix. He competed on Canada’s Nations Cup at The Spruce Meadows Masters and was named Equine Canada’s Athlete of the Year. In 2004 Keean tied for 3rd in the Canadian League-World Cup Final Standings.
Arriscraft Rocca: a bay Selle Francais gelding with an unorthodox style over fences. Keean, who had purchased the horse from his coach, began competing with Rocca in 2002. In 2005 they placed 3rd in the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup at the Bayer Gold Coast Jumper Classic in Florida, 2nd in the $60,000 WCQ at Blainville, Quebec and 2nd in the $100,000 Alliance Homes World Cup Qualifier at Caledon Summer Festival in Ontario. In 2006, he had a great ride in the $100,000 GP at HITS Ocala V and finished 2nd.
…and then there’s Yann
Yann Candele from Normandy, France started riding in 1981 at the age of 10. Twice named to the French team for the European Junior Championships, he spent two years in the . Spent two years in the early 90s competing in Japan, where he learned English. After moving to Australia briefly, back to France and then to the United States, he started riding for Eric Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stables in 1999. Yann continues to coach, ride and train out of Torrey Pines in Schomberg,
Ontario. “The Flying Frenchman” and partner, Canadian amateur show jumper, Jennifer Wallace, welcomed their first child, Alexandre Nicolas Cedric, into the world in 2003.
Millcreek Marco Taere: this incredibly talented 12-year old Belgian warmblood cross by Darco has been partnered with Yann since 2001 to great success. In 2005, they placed 1st in the $15,000 Woodlands Cup at the Spruce Meadows Continental, 3rd in the Open Welcome at the Capital Classic, Ottawa, 2nd in the $25,000 Canada Post Derby at Blainville, Quebec, 4th in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix in Saugerties, NY and 2nd in the $10,000 AMJ Speed Challenge at Tournament of Champions at the Caledon Equestrian Park, Palgrave, Ontario.
Dutch: a new ride to Yann in 2004, the pair had two major wins in 2005 in the $50,000 Caledon National GP, Ontario and the $25,000 Canada Post Derby at Blainville, Quebec.
Tyra; owned by Torrey Pines, it was a great year in 2005 for Yann and Tyra with wins the $20,000 1.5m Classic at the Kilkenny International, the $10,000 Open Welcome at Classic I in Palgrave, Ontario, and the Welcome Stake at Bromont, Quebec. The pair also placed 2nd in the $200,000 CN Reliability GP at The Spruce Meadows National and 3rd in the $50,000 Weston Open at The Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in Toronto, Ontario.
4 Responses to “Canadian Show Jumping: looking back at 2005 and look forward to 2006”
How about the maritime-ers- Angela Covert-Lawrence and Paul Halpern?
inolia13 - March 29th, 2006 at 8:59 pmGo Canada, eh?
inolia13 - March 29th, 2006 at 9:00 pmHey Sandi, what abouut Angie Lawrence and Paul Halpern ??
toulouse - April 5th, 2006 at 1:24 pmJohn Pearce and Cathy Pearce are no longer a family / business unit. Time to update those files.
Like Me - April 15th, 2006 at 9:39 amLeave a Response (or trackback on your own site)
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