Two-time Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON, is primed for a second consecutive national title after winning Round One of the $125,000 Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship on Friday, November 7, at the 2025 Royal Horse Show, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
The reigning Canadian Champion, Millar is sitting in perfect position ahead of Saturday evening’s final after winning the $25,000 Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship – Round One. Designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany, the course challenged the field with a one-round speed test. Riding Jagger HX, owned by Team Eye Candy & Millar Brooke Farm, Millar could not be caught after setting the time to beat at 67.24 seconds.
“The Canadian Championships is special to all of us Canadians,” said Millar, a two-time winner, having claimed the title 2017 before winning it again in 2024. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone in our country to rise to the level that we need to take the next step into the international ring. The Canadian Championships are so important for developing riders and horses, and to showcase our athletes.”
The podium was comprised of the Canadian show jumping team from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with three-time Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster of Langley, BC, finishing just shy of Millar’s winning time in 68.96 seconds riding Anton for owner 5 Roosters. Mario Deslauriers of New York, NY, was third aboard Costa Quick PS, owned by Aram Ampagoumian, LLC, in 69.71 seconds.
Experience was well characterized in the top three, followed by up-and-coming Canadian talent.
“These fresh faces are the ones this is the most important for because there’s a lot of pressure and atmosphere,” noted Millar. “Maybe the jumps aren’t quite as big as when you go to a world championship, but a lot of it’s the same so it’s a good opportunity for them.”
Of her winning mount, an 11-year-old Dutch-bred gelding (Ustinov x Bustique), Millar said, “I have had Jagger for about four years now, and it has been an interesting road and a long process to bring him along. This summer, I took him to Dublin and was sixth in one of the biggest grands prix in the world. Now I know that he can do it, and he knows he can do it. I’ve got my eye on him for what we are trying to accomplish in the coming years for Canada.”
The top Canadian riders will return to the Coca-Cola Coliseum in reverse order of standing for the final round of the Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship on Saturday evening, November 8, to determine the winner of the 2025 national title.
Millar will be in the fortunate position of returning last to the cheers of a crowd brimming with national pride as she attempts to win her third Canadian Championship title.
$25,000 Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship – Round One
Friday, November 7, 2025
Rider / Hometown / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Amy Millar / Perth, ON / Jagger HX / 0 / 67.24
2. Tiffany Foster / Langley, BC / Anton / 0 /68.96
3. Mario Deslauriers / New York, NY / 0 / Costa Quick PS / 69.71
4. Nicole Walker / Aurora, ON / Panter JVH / 0 / 70.35
5. Carley Campbell-Cooper / Omemee, ON / Baretino PS / 0 / 71.19
6. Kyle Timm / Calgary, AB / Atomica des Sequoias Z / 0 / 74.03
7. Sean Jobin / Toronto, ON / Grande Dame DK / 4 / 68.85
8. Katerine Drapeau / Chambly, QC / Freestyle du Shamrock / 4 / 72.51
9. Sam Pegg / Uxbridge, ON / Casadimo / 4 / 72.76
10. Lauren Hayes / Mono, ON / Londora / 4 / 74.66
Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge
Opening night at the Royal Horse Show kicked off with round one of the adrenaline-pumping Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge, which brings the thrill of cross-country to an indoor setting. After winning the Indoor Eventing Challenge at the Royal Horse Show in 2022, Holly Jacks of Hillsburgh, ON, saved the best for last and rode to victory aboard Josephine for owner and breeder, Donna Van Beek. Jacks stopped the clock at 87.07 seconds on zero penalties ahead of Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, who holds the record of claiming eight Indoor Eventing Challenge titles at The Royal.
Holly Jacks of Hillsburgh, ON, won the first round of the exhilarating Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge aboard Josephine on opening night of the Royal Horse Show. (Ben Radvanyi Photography)
“Indoor eventing at the Royal Winter Fair is the place to showcase our sport. If we want to get people involved, we need to show that we are a lot of fun,” said Jacks, who represented Canada at the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. “The community coming around and having people that would never come to a horse show come out to see the horses and encourage their kids to get into the sport is a lot of fun.”
A fan-favourite at The Royal each year, the course that combined show jumping fences and natural cross-country obstacles was designed by world-renowned Captain Mark Phillips (GBR). Opening night welcomed a formidable field of contenders, included defending 2024 champion Kendal Lehari of Uxbridge, ON, three-time Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, and Harry Meade of Great Britian, who is currently ranked number one in the world.
The overall winner of the Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge will be crowned following the second round on Saturday evening, November 8.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2025 Royal Horse Show, visit here.
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