Jim Ifko of Calgary, AB, emerged the Western Division winner of the 2012 Jump Canada National Talent Squad Series while Susan Horn of Bolton, On, won the standings in the Eastern Division.
In the Western Division, Ifko piloted Peninsula Vertigo, Marilyn Dawson-Dixon’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood Stallion, to a ninth place finish in the Talent Squad class at the Bow Valley Classic I, in Calgary, AB. The following week, the pair finished in third moving up the score board in the Talent Squad class at the Bow Valley Classic II, finishing in fourth place. Ifko and Peninsula Vertigo were also fourth in the Talent Squad qualifier at the Rocky Mountain Classic I held in Calgary, AB. They sealed their win in the Western Division with a victory in the Western Division Talent Squad Final held at RMSJ Classic II, finishing the season with a total of 32 points.
“This season I felt the partnership strengthen between Vertigo and I,” said Ifko. “He is a small horse with a huge heart, and he just kept jumping better and fighting harder from one competition to the next. We really began to jell while gaining momentum throughout the series. This ultimately led to winning the Western Talent Squad Final, placing us at the top of the Western League.”
“I wish to extend special thanks to Vertigo’s owner Marilyn Dawson-Dixon. It’s Marilyn’s continued support and encouragement that helped form our successful 2012 season,” continued Ifko.
In the Eastern Division Talent Squad competition held at the Orangeville International in Orangeville, ON, Horn guided Zahara S, Kingsfield Farm’s 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare, to a second place finish. The duo also finished fourth in the Talent Squad class at the Angelstone National Phase 1, in Rockwood, ON, and secured their Eastern Division win with a first place finish at the Eastern Division Talent Squad Final held at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON. They finished the season with a total of 36 points.
“I can’t say enough about Zahara S,” said Horn. “She’s such a game little mare. Even though our partnership is relatively new, we’ve worked very hard with my coach, Mac Cone, and a solid team is really developing.”
Horn added, “The Talent Squad is such a fantastic developmental program for up and coming riders who need that stepping stone between the high junior/amateurs and the Grand Prix level. There are so many top level riders competing on our circuit who have come up through this program and, when I look at the list of past winners, it’s an honour to be included in such company. Thank you to Jump Canada and the dedicated sponsors and participants who make this program possible.”
The top 10 riders from both the Eastern and Western Divisions are invited to go head-to-head in the Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships, which will take place during the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, from November 2-11, 2012.
The Jump Canada Talent Squad Series is a means of recognizing up-and-coming riders who are preparing to enter the grand prix ranks and gives them a platform to demonstrate their ability to become future members of the Canadian Equestrian Team. For complete standings and criteria, please visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.
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