Sarah Johnstone Wins Running Fox CET Medal Final at the Royal

Ottawa, Ontario – Sarah Johnstone, 15, of Aurora, ON, came out on top of the Running Fox CET Medal Final, when the final phase of competition was held on Thursday, November 9, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.

Riding Landor, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Northridge, Johnstone, who was coming off a win in the Jump Canada Medal Final earlier in the week, took the Final after a brilliant performance in the last test, which required the top four riders to compete a series of tests, including jumps at the counter canter, hand gallop and trot.

“This was my first time competing in the CET Medal Final and it was a lot of fun,” stated a thrilled Johnstone after the awards ceremony. “It was a really nice way to finish the season.”

Designed to be a foundation for riders moving from the hunter divisions into jumper competition, the CET Medal is an equitation class where the riders are judged on their position and riding style, as well as their ability to control the horse over a jumper course. Course requirements for the CET Medal include a triple combination and a liverpool. A flat phase, held after the jumping, incorporates lengthening of trot, lengthening of canter, and counter canter. The top 12 riders from across the country were invited to contest the Final.

In the Flat/Gymnastic phase held Wednesday, November 8, which required riders to ride a course featuring trot poles, canter poles, and a liver pool, Johnstone placed eighth. She returned to the ring the next day for the Jumping Phase where she won following a beautiful round that earned her a score of 90.

“Landor was unbelievable in each phase of the Medal, he couldn’t have been better,” exclaimed Johnstone, who trains with two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes and his daughter Lauren. “I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to ride him this season.”

As the winner, Johnstone received a brand new Childeric saddle donated by CET Medal Final sponsor, Running Fox.

Natalie Bova of Ashton, ON was the Reserve Champion, while Sydney Chapman of Duncan, BC, finished third. Another BC native, Stephanie Kelly of Richmond placed fourth.