Kelley Robinson won the $15,000 Cabana Coast Grand Prix on Saturday, September 13, at the Ottawa National at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON. The Ottawa National marked the final show jumping tournament hosted by Wesley Clover Parks this season.
Robinson, who operates Cimarron Show Stables in nearby Russell, ON, was one of five entries to jump clear over the first round track set by course designer Shane Wooley. As the first to return for the jump-off on the grass field, Robinson laid down another clear round in a time of 42.50 seconds. Her winning mare’s name, Ultimate Defender, would prove fitting, as none who followed could improve on her time. Ultimate Defender is an eight-year-old bay mare owned by Sarah Thomassin.
Runner-up Sophia Nihon Millar of Perth, ON, came closest with a clear round in a time of 42.59 seconds riding Marty McFly, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding she owns together with her husband, 10-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar. Lauren Hunkin of Ashton, ON, was also double clear in a slower time of 45.48 seconds to take third place riding Kappucino Bloom.
Erica Forgeron of Quispamsis, NB, had a rail down in the jump-off to place fourth riding Verdiano while Danica Ellis of Brookfield, NS, had the same rail riding Gerko but in a slower time to finish fifth.
$15,000 Cabana Coast Grand Prix – Saturday, September 13, 2025
Rider / Hometown / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Kelley Robinson / Russell, ON / Ultimate Defender / 0:0 / 42.50
2. Sophia Nihon Millar / Perth, ON / Marty McFly / 0:0 / 42.59
3. Lauren Hunkin / Ashton, ON / Kappucino Bloom / 0:0 / 45.48
4. Erica Forgeron / Quispamsis, NB / Verdiano / 0:4 / 44.16
5. Danica Ellis / Brookfield, NS / Gerko / 0:4 / 44.42
Ottawa’s own Emma Bao won both phases of the CET Medal Regional Final riding Uruguay. (Sunkist Media)
Equitation Excellence
The Ottawa National played host to the Regional Finals for both the CET Medal and the JC Medal. Final standings determine which athletes are invited to contest the National Finals for both programs at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON, from November 7 to 15, 2025.
Ottawa’s own Emma Bao emerged victorious after winning both phases of CET Medal competition on Friday and Saturday. Her partner was Uruguay, a 10-year-old bay gelding sired by Uriko and owned by Stefano Baruzzo. Bao trains with Paul Halpern.
Katharine Knapp of Cavan-Monaghan, ON, finished runner-up riding the Belgian Warmblood gelding, Chatsworth, owned by Olivia Groenewegen. Kyleigh Whitwell of Oshawa, ON, placed third with Evinrude du Gibet, a horse owned by her trainer, Mark Hayes. Addison McQuaker of Schomberg, ON, secured her invitation to The Royal with a fourth place finish overall riding Mya Stollery’s grey Dutch Warmblood gelding, Cape Corofino.
Hailey Hanbyul Cho took the top spot in the JC Medal Regional Final riding Chip Z. (Sunkist Media)
In the JC Medal Regional Final, Hailey Hanbyul Cho of Oakville, ON, took top spot over 11 other entries riding Chip Z. As the defending champion of the 2024 JC Medal Regional Final, McQuaker finished runner-up this year with a different horse, Cape Corofino. Keira Smith of Burlington, ON, took third riding Cabaliero 2 while Sara Struk of Burlington, ON, also punched her ticket to the National Final at The Royal.
Madison Cadieux Moran riding Lewis van de Kampel won the $3,000 Canadian Hunter Derby and the $3,000 Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic. (Sunkist Media)
Hunters, Hunters, Hunters!
Hunter competition got off to a strong start with 32 entries contesting Friday’s $3,500 Hunter Spectacular, which saw riders and horses donning their best costumes to bring some fun to the competition ring. In the end, Emily Courcy of Limoges, ON, and Smooth Operator took the top call over Ottawa’s Madison Henry riding Levendi.
On Sunday, it was all about Ottawa’s own Madison Cadieux Moran as she won the $3,000 Canadian Hunter Derby in the morning and returned to the Grand Hunter ring to win the $3,000 Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic in the afternoon.
In the Hunter Derby, Cadieux Moran was up against 19 other competitors and posted the winning score over Laurence Hamel of Sainte-Croix, QC, riding Mademoiselle. Cadieux Moran, who trains with Taylor Mulligan at Silver Meadows in Kemptville, ON, was riding Lewis van de Kampel, her 14-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood gelding (H&M Cabrio van de Heffinck x Gratianus).
A total of 23 entries came forward for the Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic with 21-year-old Cadieux Moran and Lewis van de Kampel once again coming out on top. Alex Demers finished runner-up riding Oliver while Sarah Drapeau rounded out the top three aboard Athos van het Poeleind Z.
The double win was quite a feat for Cadieux Moran as she had earned the same achievement at the RBC Ottawa International CSI5* CSI2* in August. At that event, she and Lewis van de Kampel won the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic, presented by Cityscape, in the morning before going on to win the $10,000 Founders Capital Cup Hunter Derby, held in memory of Jeff Brandmaier and presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, that afternoon.
Youssef Sevigny, aboard Un Bon Vivant van’t Meulenhof, is presented as the winner of the $5,000 Five and Six-Year-Old Finale by Teri Erickson (left) of Maplebrook Farm and Karen Sparks of Wesley Clover Parks. (Sunkist Media)
Young Horse Finales
Teri Erickson’s Maplebrook Farm once again supported the “Tomorrow’s Excellence” Young Horse Series this year, which culminated in the finals at the Ottawa National. Maplebrook Farm, the Ontario Hunter/Jumper Association (OHJA), and Wesley Clover Parks partnered to provide more opportunities for young horse development throughout the season by waiving all program enrolment and entry fees.
In the $5,000 Five and Six-Year-Old Finale, sponsored by Maplebrook Farm, Youssef Sevigny of Bromont, QC, claimed victory riding Un Bon Vivant van’t Meulenhof, his five-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Qartoon de Muze x Marius Claudius). Claudia Johnston of Nottawa, ON, was named the reserve champion with Utarro GT, her flashy five-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Omano BC x Zirocco Blue).
Marie Elizabeth Langlois of Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, QC, claimed the championship title in the OHJA Young Hunter Finale riding Wall Street K, a five-year-old black gelding sired by Westport. Showing consistent form throughout the season, Langlois and Wall Street K were also named the overall series champions.
Full results from all classes can be found HERE.
That’s a Wrap!
The Ottawa National marked the final event in this season’s Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments held at Wesley Clover Parks. The 2025 season was highlighted by the RBC Ottawa International CSI5* CSI2* in August which attracted the best athletes in the sport, including four of the top 10 in the Longines World Rankings. Held the same week, the annual Spurs & Sparkles Gala raised over $150,000 for local charity, underscoring the important role that the RBC Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments play in the broader Ottawa community.
Wesley Clover Parks is the only Canadian venue to host Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) sanctioned competition in all three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. International eventing will make its debut from September 26-28, 2025, when Eventing at the Parks CCI2* and CCI1*, presented by Omega Alpha, takes place alongside the Eastern Canadian Eventing Championships. Click here for more information.
For more information on the RBC Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, visit www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com.
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