Holly Jacks Smither has won the Foshay International CCI1* with Finely Brewed (Bud) on a score of 32.00 after having a rail Sunday in the show jumping with her other horse, the leader after cross-country, Candy King (Mini-Me) who finished in second place with a score of 35.40.
Holly who had lead the division from beginning was, I suspect, not overly concerned as the two horses simply swapped places at the top of the leaderboard to take home both the winning red as well as a second place blue.
This Erin, Ontario resident who is originally from the province of British Columbia to follow this impressive win also took home top prize in the brand new CCI Introductory division riding a 8 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding Holly part owns with Mark Marquis called Favonious Nite (Favy).
Holly and her husband Bruce Smither have race horses and show horses based at a facility in Erin, Ontario which they rent from a reiner who Holly wanted everyone to know “is a wonderful landlord”. Bruce trains horses at Woodbine Racetrack.
Ask how does it feel to win both the CCI1* and the brand new CCI Introductory division Holly pointed to the horses and said “It is awesome, it is really cool group of horses I have.”
Speaking about the weekend at Foshay International, Holly said “It really has that hometown feeling but it was really cool to be galloping and have so many spectators. Where do you find that?” On plans to come back? Holly without hesitation said “Absolutely, I would love to come back with students next year, I would like to come back with just a ton of us and make a big destination event out of it” speaking further Holly said “It has been so much fun. I think that the cool thing about eventers is that we are all friends and that as friends we have all had time to catch up as friends. This kind of reminds me of growing up in BC, Eventing with your friends and being in the barn. It is so cool I have had local kids today come to the stalls and ask do you need any help with anything.”
EV105/Modified, the final division to complete show jumping on the James Atkinson course for the weekend and the only national level offered saw Uxbridge, Ontario’s Kendal Lehari and Audacious (Junior) win with a final penalty score of 31.80.
Kendal who owns Junior, a grey 5 years Canadian Sport Horse gelding was brought the horse by the breeder, a family friend to be backed at the age of 3. Kendal liked him so much Kendal found a way to purchase the horse.
On the Jay Hambly designed cross-county courses Kendal said “I thought the courses were amazing, I thought that the horses actually learned from the courses. Everything was set up in a way that they could develop as you went. There was a proper coffin complex, the water was tough, there was a brush corner which I have never even seen at that kind of level but I way prefer to teach them how to do it at a lower level so that they are better horses in the future. I think that Jay really had the future of the horse and rider in mind.”
Speak of plans for the near future Kendal said that this is the last event of the season and after a bit of time watching the World Equestrian Games happening in Tryon, North Carolina this month she has plans be married. Congratulations!
Looking forward to the next year Kendal said “I have already told everyone that they are coming next year, it is definitely going to be on the calendar for next year. I kind of felt like we were all going to pony club camp as we were all camping here, jumping in the river, everyone was so nice and friendly and a good group of competitors.”
If you have an questions about adding Foshay International to your calendar just ask the riders from five states and four provinces who traveled sometimes a fair distance to attending the event. They are raving about their experience at this inaugural event on the river’s edge in beautiful Jemseg, New Brunswick.
This event which offered many firsts over the Labour Day weekend included a brand new CCI Introductory level which Foshay International is the first to offer in North America not to great mention prize money, prizes from Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals and Greenhawk I am sure that co-organzizers Robert and Suzanne Stevenson have more surprises up their sleeves for the coming year.
Special Awards
Best Turned Out: Penny Rowland
Tidiest Stable: Abigail Niles
Best Groom: Debbie Recoski
Young Rider Division:
1st Abigail Niles and Carrick Finest Lad
2nd Abigail Niles and Delight
3rd Madeline Scott and Annaghs Spirit
Click here for live results.
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