Fourteen reiners stepped into the arena in the hunt for points at the Canadian Equestrian Championships. After the first run, which took place at the Académie équestre de Waterloo, 12 km from the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, Team Saskatchewan is in the lead thanks to a remarquable performance from Brooklyn Braun. Quebec natives Stéphanie Briggs and Vicki Tzournavelis respectively finished in 2nd and 3rd place.
Reining is a Western saddle discipline in which the rider must demonstrate complete control of the horse’s movements, with no apparent resistance from the horse. The rider must master the technical aspects pursuant to the execution of various compulsory figures such as varying circles, slow circles, spins, lead changes, roll-backs and the crowd-pleasing slide stop. Cues should be subtle with reins kept long, in order to demonstrate the horse’s level of training. The maneuvers are executed at canter, in a distinct order and following a predetermined pattern.
Going in the arena, the rider starts off with a score of 70. Points are substracted or added according to the quality of execution. A score of 70 is thus considered a good performance. Third competitor to the challenge, Stéphanie Briggs, who has had a great season this year, earns a score of 70 with her horse Dunit N Starlight. She keeps the top spot until a member of Team Saskatchewan, Brooklyn Braun, shows up in the arena. Aboard Peppys On Top, Braun performs the various circles and spins to utter perfection, concluding her pattern with spectacular sliding stops. The judges grant her a score of 71.5, which no other rider would improve on. “I was unusually nervous before going into the arena”, confided the 13 years old rider. “This is a wonderful win! I have competed in Alberta and Manitoba in the past, but this is my first participation ever to such a finale. This is a great experience for me, and I hope to come back next year!” added the lively rider, whose main objective is to perform cleanly in the second run. To win a medal in this first edition of the Canadian Equestrian Championships is a secret wish she dares not articulate aloud.
On Team Quebec’s front, Vicky Tzournavelis was among the favorites, but a few mistakes ultimately landed her in 3rd position with a score of 69.5 The 4th place was a tie between young Myriam Jolin St-Laurent (13 years old) from Quebec and Christie Reiber from Saskatchewan, both earning a score of 69. Nova Scotia also made the ranking with a 6th place for Laura Perry, while Helen Smith tied for 9th place with Quebec’s Jacky Lee Parent.
The battle for the Gold medal will be heatedly disputed between Quebec and Saskatchewan, the latter slightly edging the host team with 27 points over 26 for Quebec in the first run. The outcome of this great competition will be known on Sunday, after the second and last run.
An initiative of the Canadian Equestrian Alliance, the Canadian Equestrian Championships are an intergional finale where six provincial associations battle against one another. Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Quebec each present a team in three disciplines : Show Jumping, Dressage and Reining, the latter being the only Western saddle discipline recognized by the FEI. Some of the riders have travelled with their own horses, while others rode mounts loaned by horse owners from Quebec.
The Canadian Equestrian Championships are part of the Caballista event, which takes place at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park until September 18, 2011. At the end of the competition, riders will receive Individual and Team Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The province having scored the best overall result will be known during the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday afternoon.
The Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park is located at 450 chemin de Gaspé, Highway 10, Exit 78. Admittance and parking are free.
Results
1st Brooklyn Brown – Peppys on Top – (SK) -71.5
2nd Stephanie Briggs – Dunit & Starlight – (QC) – 70
3rd Vicki Tzournavelios – Wiz IB a Star – (QC) -69.5
4th ex-aequo Myriam Jolin-St-Laurent – Top Boggies Tag – (QC) and Christie Reiber – Amigos Lil Opal – (CB) – 69
6th – Laura Perry – Sweet Lil Jack – (NE) – 68.5
7th ex-aequo Kathie Fitzmaurice – Shes a Hot Step and Karly Low – Worlverton Léna King (SK) -67.5
9th ex-aequo- Jackie Lee Parent – Meli Melo Whiz – (QC)- and Helen Smith – Juanaboogie – (NE) – 65.5
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