The final qualifying event in the central region of the 2010 Jump Canada Young Horse Series took place during the CSI2* National Capital Show Jumping Tournament held August 11-15 and 18-22 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON. As the Central Regional Final, double points were up for grabs, and Canadian-bred horses showed their talent by claiming three out of the four age divisions.

Roberto Teran and Grand Finale 3E dominated the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Division. The pair jumped double clear over the courses set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil and had the fastest time in the jump-off to secure the win. Bred by KingRidge Stables of King, ON, Grand Finale 3E is an eight-year-old bay Canadian Sport Horse mare by Jamestown out of a Chin Chin mare that Teran has been riding for four years.

“She has been doing so well in the Young Horse Series,” said Teran, referring to the pair’s wins at the Caledon National Horse Show in May, the CornerStone Horse Show in June, and the Summerfest Show held in July. “I was so happy with her performance. She is incredible; she is ready for whatever I throw at her, even in new venues.”

A native of Colombia, Teran was been riding for KingRidge Stables of King City, ON, for seven years and has high hopes for the mare.

“She is so talented,” he said. “She is already competing at the grand prix level, and she always wants to be the best.”

Of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series program, Teran noted, “I think it’s a wonderful program for Canadian breeders, especially for a big breeding operation like KingRidge. It’s the best way to develop young horses for grand prix competition.”

Yann Candele placed second riding Susan Grange’s Hudson, a seven-year-old chestnut selle francais gelding by Epsom d’Utah and out of a Yarlands Summer Song mare. The pair was also double clear but could not catch the time set by Teran and Grand Finale 3E.

In third position was Damiro van ter Notelaere ridden by Alejandro Karolyi of Venezuela for owner Torrey Pines Stable of Schomberg, ON. Karolyi, who trains under the guidance of Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, was also double clear, but in a slightly slower time. Damiro van ter Notelaere is a Dutch Warmblood gelding by Levantos and out of a Laeken mare.

Winning the Six-Year-Old Division was Ainsley Vince aboard Utopie des Hautes, a chestnut Belgian Warmblood mare by Ogano Sitte and out of a Canadian River mare. Vince was double clear and had the fastest time in the jump-off with Utopie des Hautes to claim victory for owner Ashford Farm.

“She wants to go,” said Vince of the mare that she has been riding for just over a year. “She is very brave, very careful, and an all around great competitor. She always shines in new situations.”

Noting that the Ottawa competition was the final qualifying event for the central region before the National Finals in September, Vince said, “I let my horses have a bit of a rest in the spring, so I needed to get some good points today. Thankfully, I did!”

Vince also echoed Teran’s statements on the value of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series to the Canadian horse industry. “The series has come such a long way since it began. It’s great for owners to have a mark to hit. Before the Young Horse Series, it used to be just a waiting game for young horses.”

The KingRidge entry of Infinity 3E ridden by Hugh Graham took second place. Bred in Canada by KingRidge Stables, Infinity 3E is a dark bay Canadian Sport Horse mare by Polyfax and out of a mare by Class Action. The pair was also double clear, and only a fraction of a second behind Utopie des Hautes and Ainsley Vince.

Erynn Ballard placed third aboard Sera, dropping one rail in the jump-off for a total of four faults. Owned and bred in Canada by Braeburn Farms, Sera is a black Canadian Warmblood by Escudo and out of a Lacros mare.

The Five-Year-Old Division was dominated by Itty Bitty, owned and ridden by Kelly Soleau. The pair was double clear and had the fastest time in the jump-off to secure the win. Bred in Canada by Millar Brook Farm of Perth, ON, and Ann Matthews, Itty Bitty is a bay Canadian Sport Horse mare by Mr. Itt and out of a Prospector’s Halo mare.

“I have been riding her since she was a three-year-old,” said Soleau of her mare. “I took her over her first trot rails and fences, and it has been so wonderful to watch her develop and do so well. We named her Itty Bitty because she was so tiny when she was a foal, but now she has really grown up and come into her own.

“She would make a great 1.40m amateur horse,” continued Soleau. “She is possibly even national grand prix material. She has a small name but a huge heart, and she is very brave.”

Soleau also commented on the Jump Canada Young Horse program itself.

“I wish there were more Young Horse classes and that the five-year-olds had their own division at the shows,” said Soleau. “I will pick shows just for the Young Horse classes. It’s just such a wonderful series that encourages Canadian breeders and owners, and it’s a great opportunity to develop young horses.”

Taking second place was Hugh Graham aboard another KingRidge entry, Jury’s Choice 3E. Also double clear, Jury’s Choice 3E is a dark bay Canadian Sport Horse mare by Polyfax and out of a mare by Chin Chin.

Third place went to 2008 Olympic team silver medalist Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, aboard Margaux. Owned by Juniper Farms and bred in Canada by Jennifer Rogers, Margaux is a bay Canadian Sport Horse mare by Quidam de Revel out of a Don Juan mare.

The Four-Year-Old Division was won by Stephanie Dubois-Emond riding EWSZ’s Qualle for owner European Warmblood Stallion Zentrum of London, ON. The pair had a clear round for a maximum performance score of 50 points, and were awarded 44 out of a possible 50 points by the style judge, for a total of 94 points. Bred in Canada by European Warmblood Stallion Zentrum, EWSZ’s Qualle is a chestnut Rheinlander mare by Quebec and out of a Caretino mare.

Claiming a close second was Christi McQuaker aboard SLF Dr. Dax, who jumped clear for the maximum 50 performance points and was awarded 43 style points for a total of 93. Owned by South Lane Farm of Vankleek Hill, ON, SLF Dr. Dax is a bay Canadian Warmblood gelding by Dr. Pepper and out of a Singular Joter mare.

Placing third under rider Robert Krcmar was La Fleur, owned by Jacqueline Wickens. La Fleur had a clear round for the maximum of 50 performance points, and was awarded 42 points by the style judge for a total of 92 points. La Fleur is a bay Holsteiner gelding by Nektor and out of a Lorentin I mare.

With the Central Region now complete the top 10 horses in the Five, Six and Seven and Eight-Year-Old divisions in the Central Region will now go head-to-head in the Jump Canada National Young Horse Finals taking place at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament held from September 22-26 in Palgrave, ON. Each age division consists of three classes, offering $3,000, $4,000 and $10,000 in prize money.

The purpose of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series is to encourage the development of young show jumping talent and to give Canadian breeders additional incentives to breed superior show jumping prospects. Competing on a level playing field, the horses are divided according to age and jump at a level suited to their development. This careful development allows the horses to gain valuable experience and advance to the higher levels of show jumping competition with confidence. The Jump Canada Young Horse Series also gives prospective buyers for the hunter and jumper markets an opportunity to view a large group of prospects in a competition setting.

Seven and Eight-Year-Old Division

Horse/Owner/Rider
1. Grand Finale 3E* KingRidge Stables Roberto Teran
2. Hudson Susan Grange Yann Candele
3. Damiro van ter Notelaere Torrey Pines Stable Alejandro Karolyi
4. Vavalier Taboo International Inc. Mac Cone
5. Candidate du Marquet Emmanuelle Bolduc Angela Covert-Lawrence
6. Sly Bonaventure Farms Erynn Ballard

Six-Year-Old Division

Horse/Owner/Rider
1. Utopie des Hautes Ashford Farm Ainsley Vince
2. Infinity 3E* KingRidge Stables Hugh Graham
3. Sera* Braeburn Farms Erynn Ballard
4. Callirado Susan Grange Yann Candele
5. Masquerade Sher-Al Farm Frankie Chesler-Ortiz
6. Legacy IX* Juniper Farms Jill Henselwood

Five-Year-Old Division

Horse/Owner/Rider
1. Itty Bitty* Kelly Soleau Kelly Soleau
2. Jury’s Choice 3E* KingRidge Stables Hugh Graham
3. Margaux* Juniper Farms Jill Henselwood
4. Colour Guard* Katriina Ruotsalo Jill Henselwood
5. EWSZ’s Jerevel* European Warmblood Stallion Miro Frei
6. Alazan* Chaldon Enterprises Alexis Baikie

Four-Year-Old Division

Horse/Owner/Rider
1. EWSZ’s Qualle* European Warmblood Stallion Stephanie Dubois-Emond
2. SLF Dr. Dax* South Lane Farm Christi McQuaker
3. La Fleur Jacqueline Wickens Robert Krcmar
4. EWSZ’s Quintess* European Warmblood Stallion Miro Frei
5. Capi Rossi* Mikali Farms Alison Moore
6. EWSZ’s La Soleil* European Warmblood Stallion Stephanie Dubois-Emond

NOTE – The star * beside a horse’s name denotes that it is Canadian-bred.

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