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.