Ottawa, Ontario – The Millar family dominated Friday’s $10,000 CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome with Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, taking top spot at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.
Heavy rains prior to the start of the competition caused a delay and, of the 36 horses entered, only 22 opted to attempt the first round track set in the grass grand prix field by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Four successfully mastered the test to advance to the jump-off, and all four were entries from Millar Brooke Farm of Perth, ON. Nine-time Olympian Ian Millar qualified two horses, Redefin and Stedet’s Leroy, while his son, Jonathon, jumped clear with Contino 14. Ottawa’s own Karen Sparks impressed in the first round with Quervo Gold to join her coaches in the jump-off.
First back for the jump-off, Ian Millar, 62, opted for a steady clear with Susan Grange’s Redefin, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The pair left all the rails in place and crossed the timers in 46.30 seconds to set the standard to beat.
Jonathon Millar, 34, was next with Contino 14, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Millar Brooke Farm. The pair tightened their turns and kept up a steady rhythm to stop the timers in 41.54 seconds, almost five seconds faster than the time set by his father.
Sparks took her turn with Quervo Gold, a 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Brookstreet Stables that she began riding this winter. Although they left all the rails in place, their time of 43.67 seconds was not fast enough to catch Jonathon Millar.
Ian Millar would have the final say with Stedet’s Leroy, a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by DK-USA Sporthorse LLC. When the second fence on course came down, Millar knew he could finish no better than fourth and opted to retire.
“Despite the rain delay, the footing was very good, it drained well and continued to get better and better,” said Jonathon Millar. Noting that all four horses in the jump-off are trained at Millar Brooke Farm, he laughed, “We do so many shows together and it is fun when it works out like this.”
Of his mount, Contino 14, who he began riding this winter, Jonathon Millar said, “Contino is a big horse and he needs to work at being naturally quicker. He needs to learn to run and jump, and he is progressing. This is our last show before Europe, and it is nice that we are on form.”
In September, Jonathon Millar will compete alongside his younger sister, Amy Millar, 32, at a show jumping event in Chantilly, France, followed by a Nations’ Cup team competition in Barcelona, Spain. Amy Millar finished sixth in Friday’s competition riding Romanov and seventh with Costa Rica Z after incurring four faults with both horses.
For runner-up Sparks, placing second in the $10,000 CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome marked her biggest finish to date.
“Quervo Gold has been consistent all year, and today I went for it,” said Sparks, 28. “Quervo Gold is always ready; he just needs me to point him in the right direction. He loves his job and wants to win.”
Sparks will be a hometown favourite when she and Quervo Gold compete in Sunday’s $75,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix at 2 p.m.
Week two of the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments is rated a CSI2* by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), which means that in addition to substantial prize money, world ranking points are also on the line. The $15,000 Modified Grand Prix is the featured event on Saturday, August 22, while the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments concludes with the $75,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Sunday, August 23, at 2 p.m.
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. 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 CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome – Ottawa, ON
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Contino 14 0:0 41.54
2. Karen Sparks Ottawa, ON Quervo Gold 0:0 43.67
3. Ian Millar Perth, ON Redefin 0:0 46.30
4. Ian Millar Perth, ON Stedet’s Leroy 0:retired
5. Yann Candele Caledon, ON Mustique 4
6. Amy Millar Perth, ON Romanov 4
7. Amy Millar Perth, ON Costa Rica Z 4
8. David Arcand Mt. Royal, QC Santos Utopia 4
9. Yann Candele Caledon, ON Pitareusa 5
10. Lauren Hunkin Kemptville, ON Larry 0146 8
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