Ali Nilforushan Wins Thunderbird’s $50,000 Grand Prix

Langley, BC – Of the 29 horse rider combinations to challenge Sunday’s $50,000 CSI2* Thunderbird Show Park Grand Prix held May 31, only two would go clear. The rest would find themselves at odds with many of the jumps on course. In the end, it was California-based Ali Nilforushan who rode to victory on the Darco son, Warco Van De Halhoevre. Washington’s Jennifer Crooks was the first to post a clear round on SF Sadin. Aboard her Belgium Warmblood mare, Jennifer beat the time allowed of 83 seconds to secure a spot in the jump-off.

Dominique Shone, the youngest competitor in the class at 15 of age, was next into the ring but two rails and time faults would keep her from the leader board. With his first mount, Green Sleeps Vioco, Ali Nilforushan was the first to suffer the odds, taking down rails at several of the odd numbered fences before voluntarily withdrawing. Over the course of the afternoon, three more riders would follow suit and tip their hat to the crowd before leaving the ring.

Jonathan Asselin, the Canadian team’s reserve rider at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, delivered a quick round on Coolio in 78.68 seconds, but posted four faults. Allen Kruger would do the same, as would Andrea Strain and her second mount, Luigi. Coming off a successful circuit in Florida, Calgary’s Tani Ziedler on Ranville looked to be second horse in the jump-off, but finished just off the pace at 85.47 seconds to incur time faults.

Back in the ring with Warco Van De Halhoeve, Ali Nilforushan made no mistakes, posting the second clear round and guaranteeing a jump-off. Representing Iran in the 2000 Olympic Games, Nilforushan has already earned two World Cup titles on Warco in 2009.

In the second half of the class, no clear rounds would be posted, as rider after rider dropped rails on jumps 3, 5, 9 and 11 a/b, including Jonathan Asselin on Rayana Chiara and Rich Fellers aboard Flexible.

While the jump crew adjusted the course for the two-rider jump off, Jonathan Asselin shared his thoughts on international course designer, Peter Holmes, efforts.

“The number 3 fence at the beginning was tricky,” noted Asselin. “It’s a skinny oxer set wide with a bunch of small stones underneath that were distracting to the horses, including mine.”

Jennifer Crooks and SF Sadin were the first into the ring for the jump-off, delivering a smooth round in a solid time of 46.35. Aboard Warco, Nilforushan had his work cut out for him. By galloping forward at every span of more than a few strides and taking a tricky inside turn mid-course, Nilforushan was able to shave three seconds off Crooks’ time to take the win.

$50,000 Thunderbird Show Park Grand Prix – Top 11

1. Ali Nilforushan Warco Van De Halhoeve Cardiff by the Sea, California

2. Jennifer Crooks SF Sadin Kirkland, Washington

3. Tani Zeidler Ranville Calgary, Alberta

4. Jonathan Asselin Coolio Calgary, Alberta

5. Jonathan Asselin Rayana Chiara Calgary, Alberta

6. Allen Kruger Mrs Quinn Leduc, Alberta

7. Brian Morton Spitfire Langley, British Columbia

8. Christopher Lowe Jackpot Burnaby, British Columbia

9. Andrea Strain Luigi Langley, British Columbia

10. Brenda Riddell Monet Calgary, Alberta

11. Gary Brewster Royal Viali Richmond, British Columbia