While the pandemic has curtailed some competitions, Canadian riders are being treated to the most lucrative Championship season ever.
The Canadian Show Jumping Championship has been the highlight of the first weekend of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair since they first hosted the event in 2001. Following the cancellation of The Royal for the second year in a row due to the pandemic, Royal West has offered to step up and host the event.
In an unprecedented move to create buzz and boost entries for the event, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping president John Anderson has announced that the purse has been increased from $125,000 to $150,000, with a further $25,000 in rider bonuses.
Riders will be allowed to compete with two horses though only one can be declared as the Championship horse. The champion will be crowned after three classes instead of two, starting with a Table C class followed by two jump-off classes. In addition to the purse money, the top three Canadian riders in the series will be presented with medals and additional awards worth $12,500, $7,500, and $5,000 respectively. “That’s $25,000 in rider bonuses over and above the prize money in the competition,” noted Anderson.
He realizes it might be challenging to attract riders from the east. “Ontario riders have always made a goal of the Canadian Show Jumping Championships, but now that it’s not in their backyard the question is whether the extra money will be enough to entice them to travel to Alberta? I certainly hope so!”
Young riders will also be well-rewarded his year. “I’ve always been a big supporter of the youth in our sport, and all levels,” said Anderson. “Like the Egyptian pyramids, if you want our sport strong at the top, you’d better make sure you have a strong base.”
With that in mind, the U25 National Championship, which will follow the same format as the Canadian Championship, will offer $40,000 over three classes ‒ a $5,000 speed event, a $10,000 jump-off, and a $25,000 final competition. “We’re going to make these the feature events at the first three nights of the show.”
Royal West will also feature open Canadian Championships at the 1.10m, 1.20m, and 1.30m levels offering $30,000, $40,0000, and $50,000 in each division respectively. “It’s a real incentive for riders to put second horses or young horses on the truck. We’re giving all the riders who show up an Equestrian Canada championship vest to celebrate because it’s really something special. You start doing things like this for the meter-10s, the 20s and 30s, they’re going to aspire to want to be a part of the Canadian Championship with the big guys in the future.”
To further entice the juniors and amateurs who may worry about competing against the professionals, Anderson plans to offer even more financial incentives. “We’re giving $5,000 rider bonuses split amongst the top three junior/amateur riders in each division.”
The first weekend will also feature the CET Medal Final and JC Medal Final, with Kim Kirton as head judge and local Calgary judge Trish Mrakawa.
Regarding Covid protocols, Anderson says they will be closely watching any changes to Alberta Health guidelines between now and then, but as of current regulations, all participants and spectators will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours. “Last year we ran sort of a modified Mini Royal West for three weeks. It was indoors, so people had to mask up, but everybody was great and worked together.”
And great news for those who will not be able to attend: the entire show will be livestreamed. “We want the whole country to get behind this and watch it and enjoy it, so our livestream will be absolutely free.”
Anderson adds that all of this is being made possible thanks to Equestrian Canada and a solid group of RMSJ supporters. “I give Meg Krueger and her team full credit for doing this. I have always tried to promote change in the sport, change that people want and that, in my opinion, is needed.”
“I said I am so proud to be hosting this Canadian Championship and I’m going to do a bang-up job,” he concludes. “I’m going to make Equestrian Canada proud they made this decision.”
Royal West runs from October 27-November 7; more information will be available here.
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