France’s Marie Hecart Receives Warm Welcome in Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario – It was a victory for France as Marie Hecart raced to the win in the $10,000 The Marshes Open Welcome held Friday, August 14, at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments in Ottawa, ON.

A total of 30 horse-rider combinations took their shot at victory over the track set by world renowned course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. Nine succeeded in clearing all the obstacles to set the stage for an exciting jump-off.

As only the third rider back for the jump-off, Hecart sped around the grass jumping field, shaving corners and leaving out strides with Ronaldo, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Ashland Stables Inc. She stopped the clock in 41.82 seconds, a time that no other competitor came close to catching.

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“It did not feel that fast,” said Hecart, 28, of Normandy, France. “I know Ronaldo pretty well, and he has a lot of experience. He is really smart, really careful and really brave. He does everything with his heart. He wants to be clear, and he tries hard.”

Taking second place with a clear jump-off performance in a time of 43.15 seconds was Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON. Underhill was riding Tjengo, her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Ottawa’s Jill Henselwood, a member of the Silver Medal Team at last year’s Olympic Games, guided Beau Soliel to a third place finish in a time of 43.72 seconds while another local competitor, Amy Millar, took fourth place with a time of 43.84 seconds riding Romanov, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that she will compete with next month in France and Spain. Toronto’s Mark Samuel placed fifth riding Wembley 234 after crossing the timers in 45.24 seconds.

The only other double clear performance belonged to nine-time Olympian Ian Millar riding Dryden, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Susan Grange. Despite making a daring cut to the second-last obstacle, the pair’s time of 47.58 seconds was only good enough for sixth place. Millar also took seventh with his other entry, Stedet’s Leroy, after knocking down the final fence on the shortened jump-off course.

With her victory in the $10,000 The Marshes Open Welcome, Hecart is favoured to win not only Saturday’s $15,000 ATCO Derby where speed and agility are paramount, but also Sunday’s featured event, the $25,000 National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments Grand Prix. Both the Derby and the Grand Prix are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments hosts its second week of competition from August 19-23. Sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), week two will feature the $10,000 CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome on Friday, August 21. On Saturday evening, August 22, the $15,000 Modified Grand Prix and a BBQ will be held in support of the United Way City of Ottawa Campaign. The National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments concludes with the $75,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Sunday, August 23.

Competition begins each morning at 8 a.m. and is open to the general public. Admission is $5 per person on Thursdays and Fridays, and $10 per person on Saturdays and Sundays, parking included, in support of the United Way City of Ottawa Campaign. Children five and under are admitted free.

For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, please visit www.hayesco.ca, or call (613) 769-7221.

$10,000 The Marshes Open Welcome – Ottawa, ON

Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time

1. Marie Hecart France Ronaldo 0:0 41.82

2. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Tjengo 0:0 43.15

3. Jill Henselwood Oxford Mills, ON Beau Soliel 0:0 43.72

4. Amy Millar Perth, ON Romanov 0:0 43.84

5. Mark Samuel Toronto, ON Wembley 234 0:0 45.24

6. Ian Millar Perth, ON Dryden 0:0 47.58

7. Ian Millar Perth, ON Stedet’s Leroy 0:4 44.40

8. Cody Auer United States Okido 0:4 46.24

9. Margie Gayford Sharon, ON Showgirl 0:4 54.50