Jumping a clear first round of Peter Holmes’ track aboard both Gamble and Theo 160, Conor Swail (IRE) had the odds in his favour ahead of the short course in a jump-off of four. Returning in the advantageous final position, the 9-year-old gelding Theo 160 proved that he far from a one-hit wonder.
After topping both the $37,000 CSI3* George & Dianne Tidball Legacy 1.45m and the $37,000 CSI3* Steel-Craft Doors Cup 1.50m at last week’s Summer Fort Classic, Swail and Theo 160 won yet again in Thursday’s feature class at Thunderbird Show Park. Swail also took runner-up honors aboard Asta Torokvei’s Gamble, with Lisa Carlsen (CAN) and Livestream 2 third.
It was a rainy afternoon at the venue. Rails fell throughout the first round as combinations navigated the inclement weather, but the field remained in great condition for the 19 combinations that came forward.
Swail’s student Vanessa Mannix was the first to produce a clear first round aboard Catinka 25, her winning partner from Sunday’s $100,000 CSI3* ATCO Cup. After finishing as the runners-up in Wednesday’s $37,000 CSI3* tbird Challenge, the pair looked to continue their strong form. However, a rail at the jump-off’s second fence relegated them to fourth.
Swail then set a stiff standard with Gamble, who looked as if he were going to take his turn for a win photo, especially after Carlsen (40.56 seconds) could not catch their 39.79-second time. But Swail wasn’t content with just a win. Victory already secured, he had nothing to lose. He further accelerated with Theo 160 and bettered himself, recording a winning time of 39.34 seconds.
Stella Chernoff and Fay. (Photo by tbird/Quinn Saunders)
Stella Chernoff and Fay Can’t Be Caught in $5,000 MarBill Hill U25 League 1.35m.
Stella Chernoff (CAN) and Fay were the first combination to qualify for and complete Peter Holmes’ (CAN) immediate jump-off track in Thursday’s $5,000 MarBill Hill U25 League 1.35m. Seven other combinations would follow them, but none would catch them.
Chernoff and Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co.’s 11-year-old mare led wire to wire in the class, the first of three events offered in the MarBill Hill U25 League division at the Summer Fort Festival, on a final time of 43.43 seconds.
Last to go in the start order, Stella’s older sister Nyah Chernoff (CAN) and Casuality Z came closest to catching the winning pair and finished second (43.95 seconds). Hannah Rajotte (CAN) and Patronus were third as the only other double-clear performers (44.21).
“I just started with a bit of a bigger canter. I wasn’t necessarily going in there to win; I was trying to be fast and efficient more than galloping around,” Stella said. “That’s actually the first jump-off I’ve ever done with this horse. She was really good.”
An NAYC Children’s team gold medalist, Stella, 16, was only partnered with Fay last fall. With limited competitions on the calendar, the pair is still getting to know each other. Building up to the U25 division has been a goal—one that’s off to a strong start.
“She’s not an easy horse to ride. It’s been a big learning curve and a lot of bridle changes and bit changes,” Stella explained. “When I first started riding her, she went in a bit, but I realized she hates having one in her mouth. She never goes with a bit anymore. She hates being flatted at home, and she gets lunged unless we’re jump schooling.
“She’s a bit unconventional, but she’s a really hot horse and just wants to jump,” she added.
As this pair strengthens their partnership, Stella can feel her mount becoming more relaxed, which has opened up her stride and improved her rideability. The breakthroughs achieved from her mount, along with a one-two finish with her sister, made it a memorable day at tbird. The Chernoff sisters plan to compete the rest of the weekend in the U25 division and return to the venue next month for September’s Harvest Celebration.
“It’s really exciting,” Stella said. “Me and my sister don’t really have a rivalry. Obviously, we both want to win, but for the most part, we’re happy for each other and cheering each other on. We want each other to do their best.”
Competition at the Summer Fort Festival continues Friday with the CSI3* $15,000 Maui Jim Winning Round 1.45m. The week will culminate Saturday, August 28 with the $100,000 CSI3* VOLVO Canada Cup 1.50m and Sunday, August 29 with the $15,000 MarBill Hill U25 League 1.40m Grand Prix.
All classes from the Fort Grand Prix Arena will be live streamed on tbird TV.
$37,000 CSI3* Jump for Uryadi’s 1.50m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Theo 160 / Conor Swail / IRL / Conor Swail / 0/0 39.34
2. Gamble / Conor Swail / IRL / Asta Torovkei / 0/0 39.79
3. Livestream 2 / Lisa Carlsen / CAN / Lisa Carlsen / 0/0 40.56
4. Catinka 25 / Vanessa Mannix / CAN / Vanessa Mannix / 0/4 40.5
5. Flinton M / Kendall Bourgeois / USA / Cameron Brown / 1 76.17
6. Chicago / Tracey Epp / CAN / Tracey Epp / 1 77.25
7. Buddy Bounce / Darrin Dlin / CAN / Dorothy Dlin / 4 70.04
8. Havana / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 4 70.55
9. Chardonnay / Robert Blanchette / IRL / RTS LLC / 4 72
10. Dammam. O.L. / Sarah Lambert / CAN / Highland Farms Ltd / 5 74.39
$5,000 MarBill Hill U25 League 1.35m
1. Fay / Stella Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co. / 0/0 43.43
2. Casuality Z / Nyah Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co. / 0/0 43.95
3. Patronus / Hannah Rajotte / CAN / Daryl Krause / 0/0 44.21
4. LLC Diamond Dazzaler / Lia McHardy / USA / Caledonia Stables / 0/4 43.06
5. Cortofino / Mikayla Brabant / CAN / Brabant Holdings Inc. / 0/4 45.21
6. Lestat OLD / Ashley Arnoldt / CAN / Jennifer Arnoldt / 0/4 45.67
7. Texas / Justine Cha / CAN / Christine Cha / 0/4 48.83
8. Vainqueur de Brekka / Anneke Power / USA / Karianne Boyce-Lockhart / 0/8 46.8
9. Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / Hayley Mercer / 4 70.18
10. Chinell / Stella Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co. / 4 71.19
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