Teen prodigy Sam Walker won the $25,000 Grand Prix, presented by RAM Equestrian on Sunday, Sept. 15, to close out the 2019 Autumn Classic.
Walker and Carlitizek N, owned by Castlefield Sport Horse Inc., posted the only clear round among six entries making the jump-off, posting a blistering time of 45.21 seconds for the win. The next closest time was 51.64 with four faults posted by runners-up Charlotte McLaughlin and Dublin. Ian Millar and Christiano were third.
Walker has had an impressive late-season run at Caledon Equestrian Park (CEP) dating back to early August. The 17-year-old from Nobleton, Ont. preceded last week’s Grand Prix victory with back-to-back wins in the $10,000 Open Welcome and $25,000 Grand Prix during the Summer Festival between Aug. 7-11.
Carlie Fairty and Ecuador W posted one of the few blemishes on Walker’s recent record in the Autumn Classic’s $10,000 Open Welcome on Friday (Sept. 13), beating out the youngster and Carlitizek N who had to settle for the blue ribbon in that one.
Fairty, who hails from Markham, ON, and Fairgreen Sod Farm’s Ecuador W bested a starting field of 28 entries, with 12 going clear to earn a spot in the jump-off. The pair went clear posting a time of 42.16 seconds in the second round, more than a second faster than runners-up Walker and Carlitizek N. Johan Letimonier and NBS Kiwi rounded out the top-three finishers.
The August Classic also featured the OHJA/CET Regional Mini Medal Finals on Friday (Sept. 14), with Erin Ugolini and Bombay winning the Flat/Gymnastics Phase of the competition. Jessica Wang and Klaas Klever were second, with Emma Saunders and Loverboy in third place.
Ugolini and Bombay also took home the red ribbon in the Mini Medal Jumping Phase on Sunday. However, her two impressive finals performances weren’t enough to unseat overall 2019 OHJA/CET Mini Medal champions Saunders and Loverboy from the top spot on the season scorecard, settling for second in the overall results followed by Summer Breeze and Channing Nixon in third.
In the CET Regional Medal Finals, Catherine O’Connor and Melbourne Z won the Flat/Gymnastics phase, followed by Ellah Dubeau-Kielty and Jalisco in second place. Mindy Moxey and Wanderlust were third.
In Sunday’s CET Regional Medal Jumping Phase, Rayne Dubois and Ferraro K topped the field, with Will Martin riding Quince Z, and Grace Varley and Lotus HT in second and third places, respectively.
O’Connor and Melbourne Z’s win in the Flat/Gymnastics phase was enough to secure 2019 CET Regional Medal overall champion honours. Dubeau-Kielty and Jalisco finished the season in second, with Dubois and Ferraro K finishing posting a third-place finish.
The OHJA also hosted its annual Hunter Special on Saturday, which included the $5,000 OHJA Pony Power Finals, the $3000 OHJA JR/AM 3-foot-3/3-foot-6 and the $4,000 OHJA 3-foot Jr/Am Derby.
Rylee Poole-Kohli and HF Chester claimed top prize in the $5,000 Pony Power finals, with Natalie Mays and Forty Winks in second, and Jamieson Mitchell riding The Graduate in third.
It would be Cydney Pavan and Salvo RSF posting a red ribbon performance in the $3,000 Junior/Amateur 3’3″/3’6″ Derby followed by Abigail Fox and Revial in second. Kieley McQuaker and Kyra VZ rounded out the top-three finishers in that class.
Rachael Cullen and her ride Harlan rode to first place the $4,000 OHJA Junior/Amateur 3′ Derby. Kristy Carnovale and Viewpoint placed second with Camille Langlois-Beeby in third.
Outside the ring, Taylor Brooks’ groom Michael Montreal won the McKee Pownall Hunter Grooms Class on Saturday.
“Professional Equine Grooms are a valuable asset to both the equine veterinary and horse showing communities. We feel it is important to showcase the importance and impact Equine Grooms have on the industry, and the valuable role they play in the health and maintenance of our equine,” writes McKee Pownall Equine Services on its website at www.mpequine.com.
The next McKee Pownall Hunter Grooms class will be held Sept. 20 during the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament CSI2*.
Mackenzie Solomon was also honoured last week with the Vern Mason Award, presented annually to the rider with the most points earned throughout the season in CET Mini Medal classes at Caledon Equestrian Park.
“Vern Mason was a renowned horseman, coach and trainer who ran Sunnybrook Stables in Richmond Hill with his wife Irna, son George and daughter Sandy,” said CEP. “For many years Vern was a medication control technician for Equestrian Canada and supplied horses for movies and TV. Vern Mason was dedicated to all things “horse” in Eastern Ontario.”
“Sandy and George Mason, Vern’s children, first presented this annual memorial award in Vern’s memory in the year 2000, in hopes that his memory may live on in the horse community,” added Caledon Equestrian Park about the memorial awards handed out each year during the Autumn Classic.
CEP would like to thank longtime sponsors Horseware Ireland for their continued support of top-notch, world-class equine competition. Visit www.horseware.com for more information and to browse their excellent line of apparel and products for both horse and rider.
International FEI competition returns to the park this week with the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament CSI2*, running Sept. 18-22. The week’s events will feature all three phases of the Caledon Cup, presented by RAM Equestrian and HEP/Aviva/Edge Mutual. Also look for Canadian Young Horse Championship — presented by Lothlorien Farm, the always adorable Town of Caledon Lead Line Class judged by Caledon Mayor, Allan Thompson, and much more.
Exhibitors will also be squaring off in the 2019 Tack Room Awards final, presented by Ride Every Stride with judging starting at 12 p.m. on Sept. 21.
Please note that a portion of the terrace at the main pavilion will be closed for a private event on Sept. 22. Visit www.caledonequestrianpark for a full listing of events and show results.
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