Canadian Championships are a Family Affair at 2007 Royal Horse Show

Toronto, Ontario â€“ With Ian Millar winning a record 10th Canadian Championship title and son, Jonathon, finishing second, the $100,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championship presented by Greenhawk proved to be a true family affair on November 3 at The Royal Horse Show. The 10-day international equestrian competition is held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, celebrating its 85th anniversary, from November 2-11 in Toronto, ON.

The $100,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championship opened The Royal Horse Show on Friday evening with a speed phase, and riders carried their scores forward to Saturday’s two-round final. Ian Millar was sitting in second heading into Saturday where he produced two clear rounds to secure a record tenth Canadian Show Jumping Championship title. Millar was riding In Style, the mount that carried him to his last national title in 2004.

“He has become such a professional at his job,” said Millar of the 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding owned by Susan Grange of Cheltenham, ON. “In his mind and in his training, he’s really learned so well. He is just coming into his own.”

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Just as his 60-year-old father had done, Jonathon Millar, 33, also jumped double clear riding Fancy Hill, a 12-year-old grey mare he began riding earlier this year. Having accumulated a total of 1.50 faults over three rounds of jumping, the younger Millar had done his best, giving his father, the last to compete in the Ricoh Coliseum, the final say. Ian Millar was cool under pressure, delivering the second clear round that would leave his son in second place. The third member of the Millar show jumping family, Amy, 30, finished sixth in the Canadian Show Jumping Championship standings riding Costa Rica Z.

“When you compete as a family, if one of us wins, we all win,” explained Ian Millar. “You have to give each horse its best shot to win, it doesn’t matter who is second, and Jonathon would expect nothing less. It is a great thrill to join my son Jonathon in a one-two finish.”

Following his best finish in the Canadian Show Jumping Championship, Jonathon Millar commented, “It is fun to have all three of us doing well and competing with a nice string of horses. I couldn’t be happier.”

Third place went to Mario Deslauriers of Bromont, QC, riding Paradigm while 2005 Canadian Champions, Jill Henselwood and Black Ice, were also double clear on Saturday to finish fourth. Kim Farlinger and Cordoba took fifth place. As the top two finishers in the Canadian Championship not already qualified, Jonathon Millar and Kim Farlinger join fellow Canadians Eric Lamaze, Mario Deslauriers, Jill Henselwood, Ian Millar, John Pearce and Frankie Chesler-Ortiz in the international show jumping division of The Royal Horse Show, which opens on Tuesday, November 6.

The evening performance of Saturday’s Royal Horse Show featured the $70,000 Kubota Cup National Final as well as the final live performance by Grammy and Juno award winning Canadian recording artist, Alannah Myles, as part of a unique dressage feature with Neil and Cindy Ishoy. On Sunday, The Royal Horse Show features the wildly popular Ontario Toyota Dealers Royal Rodeo. In addition to seeing Canada’s cowboys and cowgirls in action, fans of all ages will be entertained by a special performance by the Iams SuperDogs.

In total, $745,000 in prize money is offered during the 10-day Royal Horse Show, making it one of the richest equestrian events in the world. For more information on The Royal Horse Show and The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org.

Canadian Show Jumping Championship presented by Greenhawk â€“ Final Standings

1. Ian Millar Perth, ON In Style 0.07

2. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Fancy Hill 2 1.50

3. Mario Deslauriers Bromont, QC Paradigm 1.55

4. Jill Henselwood Oxford Mills, ON Black Ice 2.53

5. Kim Farlinger Annan, ON Cordoba 8.34

6. Amy Millar Perth, ON Costa Rica Z 8.81

7. Eric Lamaze Schomberg, ON Narcotique de Muze II 9

8. Darrin Dlin Spruce Grove, AB Catwalk 10.99

9. Ainsley Vince Milton, ON Top Gun 12.55

10. Mac Cone King City, ON Ole 16.98

11. Hyde Moffatt Brantford, ON Kelly du Lautier 20.88

12. Keean White Cambridge, ON Vienna Rouge 23.13