Ottawa, Ontario – Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, rode Vancouver to victory in the 1.35m Jumper competition held Thursday, August 20, at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments taking place at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.
With the fastest jump-off time of 30.57 seconds, Candele held off local competitor and 2008 Olympic Team Silver Medalist Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON. Riding Beau Soleil, an eight-year-old mare for owner Bradon Construction, Henselwood was also clear in the jump-off but could not catch the time set by Candele, instead settling for second place after crossing the timers in 31.86 seconds.
“I did not want to go too fast or too crazy, but I made a lot of tight turns and just tried to carry the rhythm,” said Candele, 38.
A native of Normandy, France, Candele received his Canadian citizenship in 2008. France’s loss was Canada’s gain as Candele helped Canada win the Nations’ Cup team competition in Wellington, FL, in February. Candele competed at last year’s National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments and returned this year with 25 horses.
“I started riding him as a five-year-old, and he’s been developing nicely,” said Candele of his winning mount, Vancouver, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Susan Grange. “He’s very competitive, but he is also very laid-back and easy.”
Of the competition, Candele noted, “I think this event is great. The capital of Canada should have a show of this caliber, if not bigger. It should truly be an international show, with the city’s support.”
Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, took third and fourth position in the final standings. Riding Tjengo, her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Underhill was clear in the jump-off with a time of 34.23 seconds to place third while Viggo, her eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, stopped the clock in 36.87 seconds to finish fourth. Underhill will be a member of Canada’s Nations’ Cup team at the upcoming Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament in Calgary, AB.
Current Canadian Show Jumping Champion Keean White, 26, of Rockwood, ON, took fifth place with Bethsabee, an eight-year-old mare that he began riding a few weeks earlier for owner Elm Rock LLC. Despite their quick time of 31.67 seconds, the pair had the second last jump down in the jump-off to place fifth.
Chris Surbey, 22, of Calgary, AB, was the only other rider to advance to the jump-off over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, who was the course designer at both the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games. Riding Loustik de Breuil for owner Paul Bland, Surbey had two fences down in the jump-off for a total of eight faults to finish sixth.
Friday’s featured event is the $10,000 CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome. Candele will have three mounts entered, Mustique, Pitareusa and Game Ready, all owned by Susan Grange.
Week two of the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments is rated a CSI2* by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), which means that in addition to substantial prize money, world ranking points are also on the line. The $15,000 Modified Grand Prix is the featured event on Saturday, August 22, while the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments concludes with the $75,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Sunday, August 23, at 2 p.m.
Competition begins each morning at 8 a.m. and is open to the general public. Admission is $5 per person on Thursdays and Fridays, and $10 per person on Saturdays and Sundays, parking included. Children five and under are admitted free.
1.35m Jumper Competition – Ottawa, ON
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Yann Candele Caledon, ON Vancouver 0:0 30.57
2. Jill Henselwood Oxford Mills, ON Beau Soleil 0:0 31.86
3. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Tjengo 0:0 34.23
4. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Viggo 0:0 36.87
5. Keean White Rockwood, ON Bethsabee 0:4 31.67
6. Chris Surbey Calgary, AB Loustik de Breuil 0:8 33.46
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