World-class show jumping takes centre stage in Toronto this week, as top riders from three continents and seven countries descend on the Ricoh Coliseum to compete for $368,000 in prize money and the prestigious Leading Rider and Leading Horse titles.
Uniquely, of the 25 riders competing this year, six are from two families: Great Britain’s powerhouse Whitaker family (Olympian Michael; his brother and fellow Olympian John; and John’s son Robert) and Canada’s first family of show jumping, the Millars (nine-time Olympian Ian; his son Jonathon, who just represented Canada at the World Show Jumping Championships; and daughter Amy.)
The rest of the field reads like a who’s-who of the sport, including American McLain Ward, perhaps one of the most decorated riders in the sport today and winner of the $1,000,000 Pfizer Grand Prix this September; and former World Champion Dermott Lennon of Ireland.
