For the third year running, Virginia Bonnie and Heldorado have been named the National 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumping Champions at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show, part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Bonnie, 20, of Upperville, VA, trains with Juergen von Buttlar and rides the 2012 KWPN gelding owned by her grandmother Nina Bonnie.
Following wins in the first two classes in the division, Burlington, ON’s Isabella Erlick and Toucare KDW Z had the lead coming into Sunday afternoon. But with two rails in the final class they dropped to seventh place and out of contention. With a fifth-place finish in Saturday’s Welcome Stake, followed by a second-place finish in Sunday morning’s Speed Challenge, Bonnie and Heldorado produced the only double-clean round in Sunday afternoon’s Final to clinch the win in the class and claim the overall title.
When asked why the course, designed by American FEI Level 3 course designer Oscar Soberon, was such a challenge, Bonnie explained that the three-round championship format over two days of competition is the perfect way to prepare them for a future riding on teams and representing their country.
“For the last course of a championship like this, (as expected) there were a few difficult lines. Going into the third of three rounds, it’s easy at that point to lose the rideability and lose the energy. Not only do you have to ride well and understand where you are with your horse, but you have to have an animal that’s fit and properly conditioned. And you have to understand what it takes in order to do a few more rounds in a day than you are typically used to.
“Opportunities like this are so incredible to set these young riders up for success. For eventually competing in championships or on teams. These are these are the building blocks that brings riders to that level.”
A student of Computer Science and Modern Global Studies at UVA, Bonnie loves the Royal Horse Show and believes her horse does as well, rising to the occasion at the prestigious event again and again.
“I think Heldorado understands the atmosphere,” remarked Bonnie. “I think he has a bit of a feel for the difference (at the Royal). He comes and brings his best self every day. He loves it, I think here especially.”
What about the Royal stands out to Bonnie? Attention to details, including the footing for one. “The footing is incredible. It really makes that big of a difference. But the Royal stands out among all the indoors I’ve competed at in the past. The horse is never an afterthought. For them, it’s not just the competition. It’s your partner, it’s your best friend. And it means a lot [as a rider] to have a show understand that. You have cows, you have the super-dogs, and to all of these people, the animal is the most important thing. It’s really special, I think, for a competition to understand that relationship above anything else.”
For complete results as well as the Royal Horse Show schedule, live scoring, live streaming and more, visit www.royalfair.org.
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