Ottawa, Ontario – Sarah Johnstone of Aurora, ON, took top honours in the Jump Canada Medal Championship held Tuesday, November 7, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.
Following both regional and provincial Jump Canada Medal Finals, the top 24 finishers from across Canada were invited to attend the Championship. At the Royal, Johnstone came out on top after skilful rides in both the flat and jumping phases aboard Jinjoven, a nine-year-old Polish Warmblood owned by Barbara Mitton and Kimberly Lewtas.
“Last year was my first time competing in the Jump Canada Medal and I came second, so it was a lot of fun to have won it this year,” commented Johnstone, 15, who is coached by Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes and his daughter, Lauren.
Featuring a flat phase, where riders are required to show a sitting trot and counter canter, as well as the three gaits of walk, trot and canter in both directions, they then moved on to the over fences portion where the tests included a two stride combination, a halt and a fence taken at the hand gallop. The fences are set at the height of 1.09m (3’6”).
“The course worked really well for Jinjoven, and he really came through for me,” praised Johnstone, who also won the CET Medal at this year’s Royal Horse Show.
Finishing in second position was Stephanie Kelly, who travelled all the way from Richmond, BC, to compete with Calvani, her 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Toronto native Lauren Patava earned third place riding Lucifer, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Elizabeth Currie.
Jump Canada Medal Championships
- Sarah Johnstone, Aurora, ON
- Stephanie Kelly, Richmond, B.C.
- Lauren Patava, Toronto, ON
- Kendra King, Ancaster, ON
- Ashley Shannon, Toronto, ON
- Waylon Roberts, Port Perry, ON
- Michelle Wheeler, Calgary, AB
- Jessica Whiting, Ottawa, ON
- Wesley Newlands, Toronto, ON
More from Horse Sport:
