Jim Ifko (CAN) had a specific plan of attack Thursday at the BCHJA Fall Finale at Thunderbird Show Park for the large 13-horse jump-off that had assembled for the CSI3* tbird Qualifier 1.45m.
Ifko identified two distinct gallop lanes in Peter Holmes’ (CAN) short track, and he knew his competitors would be making the most of those opportunities. He hoped he could set himself apart with tighter turns, and his longtime partner Un Diamant des Forets quickly understood the assignment.
“It was amazing. One turn, we turned a lot shorter than I was expecting. All I did was land and look to left and all of a sudden, he was gone!” Ifko explained. “As soon as I looked, he was on his way, and it nearly caught me by surprise.”
Ifko and “Monty” sped right to the top of the class, recording their 11th career international victory with a winning time of 37.37 seconds. Uma O’Neill (NZL) and Clockwise of Greenhill Z galloped into second (39.13), just ahead of Bretton Chad (CAN) and Grandeur WP (39.18), in a class where the lead changed hands numerous times.
“He’s definitely confident and courageous. He’s an absolute adrenaline junkie. His need for speed is remarkable,” Ifko said. “Yet at home, he’s the sweetest, kindest horse and so quiet. I think when you see him at a show, it’s like Jekyll and Hyde.”
Ifko has sensed his partner’s inherent competitiveness from the moment he first sat on the horse—now eight years ago—but he continues to be surprised at the ease with which his mount steps up to new levels. Over the summer, the pair recorded a pair of CSI5* victories at Spruce Meadows. According to JUMPR App, they jump clear 43% of the time across heights from 1.40m to 1.60m.
“From that moment that I tried him, you just got that sense that there was something special there. He has so much heart and so much try,” Ifko said. “It’s really made it an incredible journey to step up through the levels. It doesn’t matter which level we try to move up to; he’s always giving 110% percent and wants it as badly as you, if not more.”
And the bay seems to have more to give. Monty has been a popular breeding stallion at Eventyre Farms in DeWinton for the last five years, and Ifko is bringing up many of his offspring. Five-year-old Mo Money is also competing at tbird in the 1.20m division.
“It looks like he’s going to follow in [his sire’s] footsteps,” Ifko said.
$37,200 CSI3* tbird Qualifier 1.45m
1. Un Diamant des Forets / Jim Ifko / CAN / Eventyre Farms Ltd / 0/0 37.37
2. Clockwise of Greenhill Z / Uma O’Neill / NZL / Uma O’Neill / 0/0 39.13
3. Grandeur WP / Bretton Chad / CAN / Stone Ridge Farms LLC / 0/0 39.18
4. Chic d Emma Z / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / CAN / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / 0/0 39.49
5. Lavallino Ter Klomp / Jennifer Waxman / USA / Lost Lake Farm LLC / 0/0 39.87
6. Casturano / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / CAN / Meredith Ellis / 0/0 41.03
7. Battlecry / Tiffany Foster / CAN / Artisan Farms LLC / 0/0 41.11
8. London’s de Muze / Uma O’Neill / NZL / Uma O’Neill / 0/0 42.41
9. Celine LS La Silla / Rachel Cornacchia / CAN / Eventyre Farms Ltd / 0/4 41.05
10. Nadal Hero & DB / Conor Swail / IRL / Conor Swail / 0/4 43.31
Kassidy Keith (CAN) and Fenelon WF. (©tbird/Quinn Saunders)
Fenelon WF Flourishes in CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.35m
In the last six months, Kassidy Keith (CAN) has felt a difference in her 9-year-old stallion, Fenelon WF.
The bay Irish Sport Horse took his first U25 win in August at the Summer Fort Festival, and Thursday at tbird, he and his rider were again best in the CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.35m—the pair’s first foray into the FEI U25 division.
The duo comfortably crossed the timers of Peter Holmes’ speed track more than four seconds in front (63.15) of runners-up Reid Pankewicz (CAN) and Barack (67.21 seconds). Carly Stevens (CAN) and VIP des Majuros were third (68.62).
“He’s really starting to follow me. He’s looking where he’s going now, [when] before he didn’t pay attention,” Keith said. “Our partnership has flourished over the last six months. He’s really turned out to be a very cool horse.”
Keith got out in front of the time early, leaving out a stride up the very first line on course. That momentum would only continue as Fenelon showed off an open stride and ample scope. Their turns back to the final fences on course also showed a dimension of agility.
“He stepped up today. The course was good for him,” Keith detailed. “There were a couple places where I had walked a different number. In the first line, I walked nine [strides], and he stepped up in eight. It was easy for him.”
This time last year, Keith had just secured the U25 series title with her top mount Havana. That mare is now jumping the CSI3* division with success, and Keith hopes Fenelon can step up to join his stablemate in the not-too-distant future.
“If I stay accurate, he definitely has heart to do it. I think he will be a super [FEI] 1.45m horse,” Keith. “I really think for me, he will be able to do the earlier classes in the week, and Havana can jump on the weekends.”
$10,000 CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.35m
1. Fenelon WF / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 0 63.15
2. Barack / Reid Pankewicz / CAN / Reid Pankewicz / 0 67.21
3. VIP des Majuros / Carly Stevens / CAN / Grant & Susie Stevens / 0 68.62
4. Pasquinelle / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 0 73.73
5. Princesa / Shaelynn Enders / CAN / Joyce Enders / 0 74.33
6. Cella / Taylor Winther Blair / CAN / Sorine Winther / 4 66.32
7. Gogolinus / Jarne Francken / USA / Brylee Dickie / 4 71.24
8. Deister Z / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 4 76.48
9. Dento / Carly Stevens / CAN / Grant & Susie Stevens / 8 68.24
The BCHJA Fall Finale resumes Friday with the CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.40m and the Flat/Gymnastics phase of CET Regionals. All classes in the Thunderbird Jumper Arena stream live daily on tbird.ca.
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