The Good Crop Services Indoor Eventing challenge also concluded tonight, with the father and son duo of Ian and Waylon Roberts (both of Port Perry, ON) taking the reserve and champion positions following two heated rounds of competition.
To say Waylon Roberts has monopolized indoor eventing at the Royal would be an understatement, as he has won the overall title six out of the seven times it has run.
Australian Olympian and newly appointed Canadian team coach Clayton Fredericks gave Roberts a run for his money, but had to settle for fourth overall as his borrowed mount became a little wound-up in the ring tonight, making it difficult for Fredericks to execute his plan and a series of inside turns.
“Tonight we really had to gallop,” declared Fredericks, “but the trouble is – we missed a couple of the inside turns because he was SO fast! I wanted to sit up and wait but he wasn’t having any of it. I had to go with what I had. I was really pleased though, he jumped really well.”
New to Good Crop Services Indoor Eventing this year was Captain Mark Phillips, who designed two very different jumping tests for the two nights of competition.
“Tonight’s course was flowing and much faster,” explained Phillips. “I learned a lot last night, it was my first time in the ring here. The turns were a bit too tight and it was much more technical. We made it a bit more open between the jumps tonight with a nice variety of places to get up some speed and flow.”
Ian Roberts agreed wholeheartedly, endorsing tonight’s course as “well thought out, well placed and very appropriate.”
“Pretty much everyone will be able to say their horse came out of that ring tonight a little bit smarter, a little bit better, and a little more educated tonight.” Roberts remarked. “But you don’t win a jump-off by holding back.”
Good Crop Services Indoor Eventing Challenge – Overall Standing
Rider / Hometown / Horse / Total Score
1. Waylon Roberts / Port Perry, ON / Evil Munchkin / 136.24
2. Ian Roberts / Port Perry, ON / Faolan / 144.75
3. Jessica Phoenix / Uxbridge, ON / A Little Romance / 144.91
4. Clayton Fredericks / Australia / Wild T’Mater / 145.18
5. Doug Payne / Pottersville, NJ / Crown Talisman / 147.46
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