John Pearce Perfect in Kubota Cup National Finals

Toronto, Ontario – The $60,000 Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series National Finals took place Saturday night in front of packed house in the Ricoh Coliseum at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with John Pearce emerging as the champion. Since April, the nation’s top riders and rising stars have been vying for leadership in major competitions across Canada. In the Western Division, Tamie Phillips (Strathmore, AB) earned her second consecutive Western Division Champion title while Pearce (Stouffville, ON) did the same thing in the Eastern Division.

At the Royal Horse Show, it was ‘east meets west’ as the top riders in both divisions went head-to-head for national glory. Just as he had done one month earlier in Halifax, the final event of the Eastern Division, Pearce poured it on to win the National Finals.

A total of 20 riders were entered, with five jumping clear to advance to the jump-off. In a battle of the biggest names in show jumping, Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, looked to have things sewn up with a clear round in 37.41 seconds riding her game chestnut mare, Magdaline.

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But Pearce also guided crowd-favourite Archie Bunker to a clear round in a time of 36.48 seconds to move into top spot. Only the final challenger, defending champion Ian Millar of Perth, ON, had the opportunity to beat Pearce, but a tumbled rail riding Redefin left the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series Spokesperson in fourth position, despite stopping the clock at 36.41. And that was just fine by Pearce, who could not have been happier with his victory.

“Kubota has brought our sport to another level,” raved Pearce who pocketed $12,000 in prize money, not to mention armloads of additional prizes and awards, for the win. “I have Kubota equipment at my farm, and it is a wonderful product. I hope that Kubota is as happy with their sponsorship as the riders are.”

In addition to $60,000 in prize money, Kubota Canada Ltd. also provided travel assistance to riders from outside of Ontario to make the journey to Toronto.

The Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series has been filmed throughout the season and will be featured on ‘ALONG FOR THE RIDE’, a 13-part television series that will air on Global National Television. Check your local listings to verify show times, and visit fortheride.net for more information.

Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances, held as part of the 84th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 416 872-7777 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules, please visit www.royalfair.org.