Following two days and three challenging rounds of competition, Minayla Alaux of Sainte-Adèle, QC (representing the Atlantic region), captured the 2025 CET Medal National Final title, presented by Running Fox Equestrian Products. The winner of the jumper equitation final was decided on Thursday afternoon, November 13, during the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, part of the 103rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Riding Levaro Z, owned by Beatrice Daviault, Alaux was best in a field of 16 up-and-coming athletes who qualified for the CET Final from four regions across Canada (Atlantic, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia). She won the Flat and Gymnastics Phase on Wednesday, a true ‘thinking’ course involving flying changes, jumping multiple fences in both directions, a trot fence into a triple, three bounce fences, a turn on the haunches to counter-canter, a hand gallop line and extended trot, among other elements. The wide range of riders’ scores, from 34 to 87, illustrated the difficulty of the test.
“I thought the course was really tricky,” admitted Alaux, who trains with Adrien Lemieux and David Arcand, after phase 1. “But I have a horse that is very adjustable, so for me, it was a good thing!”
A lifelong hunter rider, this is Alaux’s first year in the jumper ring, and she credits her horse, whom she has leased for the past six months, with making it such a smooth transition. “He did grand prix with his previous owner. He’s very careful and he likes to win. I love this horse to death.” This would be her last show with Levaro Z, however, as his lease is up; Alaux has a new seven-year-old prospect in the stable to move up with into the jumper ranks.
Thursday’s Jumping Phase was run in reverse order of standing, and showcased the riders’ ability to demonstrate pace and negotiate the course accurately without time or jumping faults. The top four moved forward over a revised course with a tighter time allowed for further testing: Alaux, Kyleigh Whitwell (Evinrude Du Gibet), Carla Delory (Trust Me), and Alyssa Gillis (Maddam VF). But none could catch Alaux, who scored a 92 to clinch the championship.
Alaux was frankly a bit shocked that she had won. “I didn’t think with all the good riders that were in my division I could be at the top, but here we are. I wasn’t thinking about winning. It’s my last show with this horse, so I just wanted to appreciate all the moments with him.”
Following the class, judge Tony Sgarlata of Raleigh, NC, remarked, “The course was just right for the second day of competition. Meghan Rawlins asked the riders all the right questions. Again, the riders that rose to the top needed a solid track and pace plan to stay within the time allowed.
“The rider that won proved to be the most consistent, and was very efficient with the track, choosing tight inside turns. The horse was beautifully trained, athletic and adjustable.
“A few riders again had some bad luck with time and/or jumping faults, but overall generally seemed a bit more confident and comfortable today.”
Young riders winning these National Finals are no longer eligible to compete in CET Medal classes, to open the door for other deserving riders to step up. Traditionally a pathway for developing young athletes on their way to represent Canada in international competition, several notable past winners include Canadian Team members Tiffany Foster, Erynn Ballard and Sam Walker.
The class is generously sponsored by Running Fox, a Canadian-owned retailer of prestigious English riding apparel and equestrian products. They provided a saddle for the winner as well as coolers for the top eight placings.
The W. Douglas Hood Memorial Trophy is presented to the winner by his family, in the memory of the late Douglas Hood.
For complete results, as well as the full Royal Horse Show schedule, live scoring, livestreaming, and more, visit www.royalfair.org.
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