Spring 2006 in Ontario has been simply glorious. Sunny days, hot temps, pleasant breezes. Shorts and sandals have been released from their winter storage earlier than usual. Horses who were allowed to grow winter coats are already shedded out. Paddocks are turning green and lush. Perfect weather, that is until it was time for the first outdoor “A” show in Ontario, the Classic @ Palgrave I.
The Classic I, held at the beautiful Caledon Equestrian Park north of Toronto, never seems to be lucky with the weather. Opening day, May 10, was gorgeous…but then it was downhill from there.
Large entries for every division were soon spending time in the pouring rain, braving cold temperatures and even colder winds. Even the state-of-the-art drainage system at the Equestrian Park was having difficulty keeping up with Mother Nature. The grooms did an amazing job as ever, keeping their charges in great condition in spite of the trying weather. As one optimistic soul said, “At least it’s not snowing!”
For the jumpers, the first big day was Friday, May 12 with the $20,000 Caledon Park Estates Open Welcome. The rain held off, though the skies threatened all day, and the riders were truly put to the test by Pierre Jolicoeur’s course. Chris Pratt and Lothlorien Farm’s Rivendell took the win, with Nations Cup teammate Ian Millar and Promise Me in reserve. Erynn Ballard and Asta Torokvei’s grey, Paradigm, were third with Millar and Lothlorien’s In Style in 4th .
By Saturday is was more like early April weather (or even late March!) then May, but at least the downpours held off once more. Late afternoon saw the $10,000 Champion Shavings Modified Grand Prix take place. The class was won by New Zealand rider, Katie McVean with the 7-year old chestnut stallion, Lindberg des Hayettes. Daughter of Olympic show jumper, Jeff, Katie is the youngest rider ever selected to ride for New Zealand’s senior team. France’s Yann Candele took 2nd and 4th with Ashland Stables’ Veritia and Sun. Veteran Canadian rider, Mac Cone and Rockstar broke the foreign dominance, placing 3rd.
The $50,000 Classic @ Palgrave Grand Prix started exactly at 2:00pm on May 14. Coincidentally, that’s also when the sun made an appearance, much to the delight of the spectators. There were twenty entries with riders from Canada, the United States, France and New Zealand. In Jolicoeur’s usual style, there were awkward angles and tight turns; a fair but tricky course.
First up was Erynn Ballard with Looking Back Farm’s big Belgian-bred gelding Robin Van Roosendael. They put in a terrific round until an unlucky rail at 12b, the penultimate fence, took away their chance of advancing. More 4-faulters followed until Captain Canada, 59-year old Ian Millar, rode into the ring on Lothlorien Farm’s Nero. Nero, formerly ridden by Chris Pratt, obviously goes just as well for Millar, who clocked the first clear of the afternoon. Yann Candele and Windhaven’s Dutch, winner of the Caledon National Grand Prix in 2005, were next. They put in an awkward leap at 4, a huge triple bar, leaving the rails up and the spectators gasping. They galloped at the open water, cleared it, then continued with foot to the floor and somehow cleared the oxer following. The pair crossed the finish clean, leaving quite an impression on the crowds.
Eric Lamaze looked to be joining the jump off with his only entry, Ramiville, but a touch to the tape at the water put paid to that. Chris Pratt and Lothlorien’s Mustique had a wonderful round, making it three for the jump off. Ainsley Vince and her 16-year old gelding, Catch-22, are crowd favourites. Catch-22 may be a teenage but is still very fit and full of running. Unfortunately, too much running today to jump clean.
Once more, Yann Candele left the crowds gaping as he and Tyra put in an enormous leap at the water. Their clear put two of Yann’s three rides into the jump off. Margie Gayford, riding Wingberry Farm’s large gelding, Stuntman, put in a steady round (and a textbook effort a the triple of vertical-oxer-vertical) to add her name to the list of clears. Erynn Ballard’s lungs got a good workout with her second ride of the afternoon, Paradigm. Ballard’s vocal encouragement at the triple did the trick and they too were clean. Ian Millar and Chris Pratt both put in quiet, steady rides on Promise Me and Rivendell respectively to take the jump off count to eight.
Although the skies got quite dark, the rain did stay away for the jump off. Millar and Nero were first back and set a blistering pace with a time of 33.412. Only one rider would beat it and that was the Flying Frenchman, Yann Candele, and Tyra. They didn’t just cut corners, they slashed them, gambled, and won with an untouchable time of 33.296.
$50,000 Classic @ Palgrave Grand Prix - May 14, 2025 - Results
1st Tyra / Yann Candele / Ashland Stables Inc.
2nd Nero / Ian Millar / Lothlorien Stables
3rd Paradigm / Erynn Ballard / Asta Torokvei
4th Promise Me / Ian Millar / Bakers Dozen 5th Mustique / Chris Pratt / Lothlorien Stables
6th Dutch / Yann Candele / Windhaven
7th Rivendell / Chris Pratt / Lothlorien Stables
8th Stuntman / Margie Gayford / Wingberry Farms
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