Lesley Martin of Vineland, ON, won the $5,000 Canine Equine Relay, presented by Royal LePage Team Realty, on Sunday, July 14, at the CSI2* Ottawa International I show jumping tournament held at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

In the annual crowd-favourite, horse-and-rider combinations negotiate a show jumping course before their canine partners from Dogz Canine Sports Centre in Nepean, ON, tackle their own dog agility course. Three seconds are added for each downed rail by horse or dog with the fastest combined time winning.

Martin was paired with Jive, an Australian Shepherd owned and handled by Jane Donohue. Martin and Hermelien, her 12-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood mare, finished their course in time of 46.79 seconds before Jive deftly took on the agility course and secured the win with a combined time of 79.90 seconds.

Finishing in second place was Alexandre Gonzalez of Val-David, QC, riding Allegria and partnered with Summit, a Border Collie owned and handled by Sue Purcell. The combination finished in a final time of 79.96 seconds. Rounding out the top three with a total time of 80.64 seconds was Ireland’s Jordan Coyle aboard Endgame, owned by Elan Farm. His canine partner was Rumor, an Australian Shepherd owned and handled by Kim Dick.

World-class show jumping competition resumes at Wesley Clover Parks on Wednesday, July 17, with the CSI3* Ottawa International II, running through Sunday, July 21. Admission to the CSI3* Ottawa International II is free, with donations to Wesley Clover Parks’ retired horse program gratefully accepted. Spectators are encouraged to come out and enjoy all of the family-friendly activities that the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments have to offer.

Find more information on all of the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments online at www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com, and find the latest updates, news, and photos by following Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments on Facebook here.

$5,000 Canine Equine Relay, presented by Royal LePage Team Realty
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Total/Time
1. Lesley Martin/Vineland, ON/Hermelien/79.90
2. Alexandre Gonzalez/Val-David, QC/Allegria/79.96
3. Jordan Coyle/Ireland/Endgame/80.64
4. Stella Manship/United States/Quarto Mail/82.04
5. Alexandra Millar/Flesherton, ON/Usty des Dubois/83.08
6. Sara Fraser/Greely, ON/Casino Royale/85.59
7. Kim Corts/United States/Fidel Cavaro/89.71
8. Rayne Dubois/Ottawa, ON/Ferraro K/90.96
9. Natasha Dionne El Chaer/Baie D’Urfe, QC/Charline Manciasie/93.19
10. Grant Field/Russell, ON/Ekon/94.74