The Canadian junior team put up a good challenge against solid competition from Mexico and the United States to capture second place in the BB Equestrian CSIOJ Nations’ Cup at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
The teenage squad of Stella Chernoff, Ava Wong, Brooklyn Deacon and Eric Krawitt were confirmed to represent the maple leaf after their individual results in the CSIOJ Junior Welcome 1.40M on Thursday, June 2, 2022, also sponsored by BB Equestrian.
With the weather still wet, the event was held in the Thunderbird Arena to ensure good footing. As the rain let up, Chernoff, of DeWinton, AB, led the Canadian team order, jumping clear in a fast first round, riding Fay (Willow x Silverstone), a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co. Staying strong and focused, she put up a second clear round to hold scores for the team and provide an opportunity for the win.
“Stella being the lead-off rider and jumping double clean I think is a very good achievement,” said Dayton Gorsline, chef d’équipe for Canada’s Junior team. “I sent her first because she is so quick and consistent in her riding. I thought she rode exceptionally well.”
“We went in the ring hoping for clears and that’s what we got,” said Chernoff. “This was our second time jumping the water together, it was exciting, and Fay barely looked at the jump, it was quite the relief.”
Up second in the order for Canada was Wong, from Calgary, AB riding Dammam O.L, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cardento x Arkansas) owned by Highland Farms. In her first round she had no rails down but took four faults at the water at jump 8. With course designers having added a rail there during the break, the duo hoped the change would make a difference for them in the second round. Luckily it did and with no issues at the water, the pair then sadly downed the top rail at A of the triple combination to post four faults for the team contest.
“I thought it was a really great course, and Jackson – that’s his barn name – jumped really well,” said Wong. “I just had a couple of mistakes, and that’s why my score was the way it was, but I thought the entire team jumped amazing and we competed well.”
Local rider Deacon, of Abbotsford, BC was next in for Canada and incurred a total of 24 penalty points which became the first-round drop score with the team entering the second in the lead with just four penalty points. Then coming in for a second time, Deacon’s own Decimus, an eight-year-old American Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Riverman), had two refusals at the water jump, causing them to be eliminated. Before she left the ring in disappointment, however, Deacon with a maturity beyond her years, expertly had him look at the open water, then exited.
The Canadian Junior Team and chef d’équipe Dayton Gorsline celebrating a second-place finish during the CSIOJ BB Equestrian Nations’ Cup. (Cealy Tetley photo)
“Dezi just turned eight, so he’s new to this level, he hasn’t jumped that many metre-forties,” said Deacon, “so I was happy that he jumped through the combination in the second. He also had a foot in the water on the first round so he was just a bit nervous. Overall, I am just super happy with him.”
Anchoring the team was Krawitt of Okotoks, AB riding Chicago CM, a nine-year-old German Holsteiner gelding (Cassini I x Carpaccio) recently purchased by Krawitt. The duo had a great first round and went clear as Chernoff did with no issues at the water. Being the last to ride in the second round, and with Mexico at the time holding at nine points and Canada at eight, a double clear was the only way to win. The crowd learned early on at the Longines jump 5 with a rail down that the home team would have to take silver.
“Our team was very good, the horses jumped well, and it was a good day,” said Krawitt. “I was happy with my horse, I just recently purchased him, and I think he’s going to go a long way.”
“I thought we were a little unlucky that our last horse had four faults at the end because he could have easily jumped clean,” said Gorsline. “I thought the kids represented themselves and Canada very well. This is a building block for NAYC [North American Youth Championships] and for the kids going forward and I think we identified some good young talent here. They will all learn from this experience. It’s safe to say that the future looks bright.”
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