The CSI2* Ottawa International Horse Show opened on Wednesday, July 20, with Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, and his wife, Kelly Soleau-Millar, each enjoying a win on the grass grand prix field at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.
The five-day international show jumping tournament, held in the heart of the nation’s capital, runs through Sunday, July 24, and boasts an impressive list of top competitors, including four members of the Millar family. Ten-time Olympian Ian Millar, 2016 Canadian Olympic Show Jumping Team member Amy Millar, and husband and wife Jonathon Millar and Kelly Soleau-Millar are all competing at this year’s Ottawa International Horse Show. The husband and wife duo scored victories in the two featured classes on opening day, with Jonathon winning the 1.35m Open Jumper competition, presented by Deloitte, with Caprice while Soleau-Millar of Wellington, FL, topped the 1.25 Open Jumper, presented by Juniper Farm, riding Hoolie Hoo.
Soleau-Millar and Hoolie Hoo, the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by C.F. Farms, bested a field of 32 entries with a double clear effort in a winning jump-off time of 43.99 seconds. The 1.35m Open Jumpers were next, and this time it was Jonathon riding Caprice, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Peter Edgar, who produced the winning round to beat out 24 other competitors.
“It’s been a real Team Millar day!” said Soleau-Millar of the back-to-back victories, which were immediately followed by a win for their student, Adam Rittenberg, riding Alazan in the 1.30m Junior/Amateur competition.
Married in December, Jonathon and Soleau-Millar are no strangers to traveling and competing together, most often alongside Ian and Amy.
“We’re on the road a lot, and it’s nice to be able to travel with the whole group,” said Jonathon. “We’re really fortunate that way. The horses have all been great, so that always makes showing together even more special.”
Jonathon continued, “We’re also fortunate that we all have a common goal. We all want to be successful ourselves, but we also want each other to be successful. Hopefully at the end of the day, at least one of us has had a good day!”
Millar Brooke Farm has brought a total of 30 horses from its home base in Perth, ON to the Ottawa International Horse Show. Sanctioned as a CSI2* by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), riders competing in the feature events are able to earn valuable World Rider Ranking points.
“Having FEI competition in our backyard is amazing,” said Soleau-Millar. “We couldn’t ask for a better venue, and the prize money is outstanding. I ride a lot of the young horses and bring them along, and it’s hard to make your way without wonderful shows like this one that have such strong support and money behind them.”
Having a world-class competition situated only 45 minutes from home is a big draw for the Millar family.
“The field is unbelievable to ride in, and the improvements made every year are just outstanding,” Soleau-Millar said. “The schedule is wonderful, and everything is competitor and horse friendly. It’s really nice to have a place that’s close to home and at a venue that’s so beautiful.”
Spectators at the CSI2* Ottawa International Horse Show can expect to see the Millar family in action throughout the week. Featured events include the $35,000 CSI2* Open Welcome on Friday, the $10,000 Modified Grand Prix on Saturday, and the $100,000 CSI2* Classic on Sunday, all beginning at 2 p.m.
To find out more about the CSI2* Ottawa International Horse Show, click here, or follow Wesley Clover Parks on Facebook here. For complete results from the Ottawa International Horse Show, visit ottawa.showmanagementsystem.com.
Everyone is encouraged to share their Wesley Clover Parks experiences using #TheParks.
1.35m Open Jumper, presented by Deloitte – Wednesday, July 20
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
1. Jonathon Millar/Perth, ON/Caprice/0:0/40.79
2. Frank Hendriks/The Netherlands/Egberlinus/0:0/41.48
3. Ian Millar/Perth, ON/Baranus/0:0/41.54
4. Hugh Graham/Schomberg, ON/Diamond Mine/0:4/41.80
5. Beth Underhill/Schomberg, ON/Kodaline/0:4/45.23
6. Hallie Buttenwieser/Burlington, ON/Easy Diamond/0:4/46.99
7. James Gillam/Canton de Hatley, QC/Inspector Gadget JPS/0:4/47.90
8. Jordan Macpherson/Toronto, ON/Aldine/0:withdrew
1.25m Open Jumper, presented by Juniper Farm – Wednesday, July 20
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
1. Kelly Soleau-Millar/Wellington, FL/Hoolie Hoo/0:0/43.99
2. Kevin Maxie/Erin, ON/Carino/0:0/46.95
3. Taylor Mulligan/Manotick, ON/Social Network/0:1/52.86
4. Kelley Robinson/Ottawa, ON/GQ/0:1/52.95
5. Frank Hendriks/The Netherlands/Egberlinus/0:4/49.12
6. Michelle Matthews/Addison, ON/Cover Girl Z/0:4/49.89
7. Karen Sparks/Ottawa, ON/Ferraro K/0:6/53.17
8. Jonathon Millar/Perth, ON/Eye Catcher/0:7/55.00
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