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	<title>Horse-Canada.com &#124; Your Horse Source &#187; Horse Sport News</title>
	<link>http://www.horse-canada.com</link>
	<description>Your Horse Source</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Spruce Meadows Charter Arrives</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3931</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3931#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Calgary, AB -&#160;The Spruce Meadows “Masters” charters flights arrive each September with the best horses in the world.&#160; The first of four charter aircrafts is arriving on September 2, at the Calgary International Airport.

There are over 65 horses scheduled to over the next five days, with the first load scheduled on Thursday, September 2, 2010 [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Calgary, AB -&nbsp;The Spruce Meadows “Masters” charters flights arrive each September with the best horses in the world.&nbsp; The first of four charter aircrafts is arriving on September 2, at the Calgary International Airport.
</p>
<p>There are over 65 horses scheduled to over the next five days, with the first load scheduled on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 1200 hrs MDT.&nbsp;This years roster/cargo includes, World, Olympic, and Continental champions, as well as the world famous Celle Stallions.
</p>
<p>The arrival of the charter means that the 2010 Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament is only days away.&nbsp; These horses along with their riders will be competing for over $2 million in prize money over the five days of top international show jumping.
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
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		<title>Canadian Eventers Victorious at Richland Park Horse Trials</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3926</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3926#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:16:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Ottawa, ON - Canadian Eventing WEG Squad members Selena O’Hanlon and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch rode to victory at the 2010 edition of the Richland Park Horse Trials, held August 26-29, in Richland, MI - a competition designated as an important warm-up for competitors heading for the World Equestrian Games in September.&#160;

O’Hanlon, of Elgin, ON, and her [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ottawa, ON - Canadian Eventing WEG Squad members Selena O’Hanlon and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch rode to victory at the 2010 edition of the Richland Park Horse Trials, held August 26-29, in Richland, MI - a competition designated as an important warm-up for competitors heading for the World Equestrian Games in September.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>O’Hanlon, of Elgin, ON, and her 2008 Olympic partner Colombo a 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, owned by Elaine and Michael Davies, won the CIC 3* division. The pair was tied for third following the dressage test, scoring 50.80. A fault-free performance on cross country over the Ian Stark designed course kept the pair in third spot heading in to the jumping phase. They navigated Richard Jeffrey’s jumping course without a fault and completed as the only pair in the CIC 3* division to finish on their dressage score.
</p>
<p>“Colombo was fantastic from the start. Our dressage was a huge improvement. The cross country had lots to do out there and the ground was quite hard, so I wanted to make the time and jump clean and safe. I was very nervous for the show jumping due to my standing. I was happy it was on grass, because I find he has more energy and is lighter and quicker on his feet when he is not on sand,” said O’Hanlon. “He is a fantastic horse and I am very happy for him to have a big win in his lifetime. He is a world class horse, and has had to put up with me learning as we go. A huge thanks to David O’Connor for all his help.”
</p>
<p>WEG Squad member Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, and Exponential, her own 12-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding, also finished the 3* division in the top ten. The pair added only 1.20 cross country time penalties to their dressage score of 59.70 to finish in ninth place with 60.90.
</p>
<p>Peter Barry of Dunham, QC, and Kilrodan Abbott, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by the rider and Susan Barry, finished in 15th place with a score of 68.90.
</p>
<p>Phoenix and her second horse, Exploring, her own 13-year-old thoroughbred gelding, finished in 17th spot with 72.00, while Danica Moore of Salmon Arm, BC, riding Dunlavins Token, her own 10-year-old Argentinean Warmblood gelding, finished just behind Phoenix in 18th with a final score of 72.20. Micheline Jordan who currently resides in Ocala, FL, finished in 19th place with her own Irish Diamonds, a 12-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding.
</p>
<p>Victorious the Advanced Division B was Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch of Summerland, BC, with her own and Patricia Bosch’s Port Authority, a Canadian-bred 12-year-old Selle Français/Thoroughbred gelding. The pair posted another double clear cross country and show jumping to finish on their dressage score of 31.70. WEG Squad partners Diana Burnett of Blackstock, ON and Manny, 10-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding owned by Burnett and Eventing Canada finished with a score of47.40 for ninth place, while Kyle Carter, originally from Calgary, AB, and Madison Park, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider and Jennifer Carter, were in 10th with a score of 65.10.&nbsp; Competing in Advanced Division A was Ian Roberts of Port Perry, ON, and the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Napalm, co-owned by Ian, Kelly Plitz and Tracey Newman. The pair moved up from 15th spot after dressage, and&nbsp;&nbsp; finished on their dressage score of 41.30, which was good for seventh place
</p>
<p>In the CIC 2* division, Frankie Simpson of Orangeville, ON, rode her own Watson’s Shelbreen, an 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare, to third place, also finishing on her dressage score of 59.40 — the fourth Canadian horse/rider combination at Richland Park Horse Trials to accomplish the feat. Diana Burnett of Blackstock, ON, and Shigatzi, a seven-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred mare owned by the rider and Valerie Eden, added 10.40 cross country time penalties to their dressage score to finish in ninth place with 65.10. Close behind Burnett was Moore, who finished in 10th place, with her second horse, Utah B, her own nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. O’Hanlon and her second ride, A First Romance, an eight-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding O’Hanlon co-owns with Sean Dennis, earned an 11th place.
</p>
<p>American Sinead Halpin riding Manoir de Carneville won the CIC 2* division with a score of 49.40.
</p>
<p>Canadian WEG Squad members now head to their last preparatory competition at the American Eventing Championships held at Chattahoochee Hills Farm in Fairburn Georgia, September 9–13, 2010.
</p>
<p>For complete results please visit <a href="http://www.richlandpark.com" target="_blank">www.richlandpark.com</a>.
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>FEI announces detection times for Methylprednisolone Acetate</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3923</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3923#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:05:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has announced detection times for Methylprednisolone Acetate, a frontline treatment for lameness in the equine athlete. The findings from recently completed studies on the use of intra-articular Methylprednisolone Acetate show the detection times as 28 days for the 200mg dose and 14 days for the 100mg dose.
  &#160;
  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has announced detection times for Methylprednisolone Acetate, a frontline treatment for lameness in the equine athlete. The findings from recently completed studies on the use of intra-articular Methylprednisolone Acetate show the detection times as 28 days for the 200mg dose and 14 days for the 100mg dose.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />The FEI recognises that any strategy to reduce the level of doping and medication offences must contain an element of guidance and education. With this in mind there has been an increased effort to provide detection times for substances that are in common usage. The detection time is the time taken for an active substance administered to a horse by a specified route and dosage to fall below a level at which the FEI would declare a sample positive.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />It is important to note that detection times may vary depending on dose and number of injection sites used. Please note that a detection time is not the same as a withdrawal time. The withdrawal time must be decided by the treating veterinarian and is likely to be based on the detection time plus an appropriate safety margin to allow for individual variation.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />The full list of FEI detection times can be found <a href="http://www.fei.org/veterinary/list-of-detection-times" target="_blank">here</a>.
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Canadian Show Jumping Team Competes at CSI05* Gijon</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3922</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3922#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:07:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Ottawa, ON — The Canadian Show Jumping Team comprised of Eric Lamaze, Ian Millar, Jenna Thompson and Keean White is competing at CSIO5* Gijon, ESP, running August 31–September 5.&#160; The feature event is the €60,000 Nations’ Cup team competition on Friday, September 3, 2010.

Olympic champion Eric Lamaze, 42, of Schomberg, ON, will ride three horses [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ottawa, ON — The Canadian Show Jumping Team comprised of Eric Lamaze, Ian Millar, Jenna Thompson and Keean White is competing at CSIO5* Gijon, ESP, running August 31–September 5.&nbsp; The feature event is the €60,000 Nations’ Cup team competition on Friday, September 3, 2010.
</p>
<p>Olympic champion Eric Lamaze, 42, of Schomberg, ON, will ride three horses on the Spanish tour including Sidoline Van De Centaur, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Artisan Farms LLC; Atlete Van T Heike, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Stephex Stables; and Coriana Van Klapscheut, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Artisan Farms LLC.
</p>
<p>Nine-time Olympian Ian Millar, 63, of Perth, ON, has replaced Chris Pratt of Belfountain, ON, who had originally been named to the team with Union.&nbsp; Millar will ride Star Power, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Team Works.
</p>
<p>Jenna Thompson, 22, of Calgary, AB, made her Canadian Show Jumping Team debut last year at CSIO4* Barcelona, helping Canada to a second place finish.&nbsp; Thompson will again be riding Zeke, her 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
</p>
<p>Keean White, 26, of Rockwood, ON, is the fourth member of the Canadian Team.&nbsp; He will ride two horses, Celena Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by the Ashland Group and Angelstone Farms, and Bethsabee, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Elm Rock LLC and Angelstone Farms.&nbsp; White was also a member of Canadian Show Jumping Team that competed in Spain last year.
</p>
<p>Following CSIO5* Gijon, the same Canadian Show Jumping Team members will contest the Promotional League Nations’ Cup Final at CSIO5* Barcelona, ESP, from September 14-19.
</p>
<p>The Spanish tour is made possible through the Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initiative designed to help Canada’s summer and winter athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
</p>
<p>A Nations’ Cup is the only competition in show jumping where riders, in teams of four, compete as a country.&nbsp; The top three scores from each team are counted towards the final result of the two-round competition.
</p>
<p>There are only two Nations’ Cup events held annually in North America – the $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, and the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in September.&nbsp; Canada’s victory in the $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup in Wellington, FL, on March 5, 2010, qualified Canada for the Promotional League Final in CSIO5* Barcelona.
</p>
<p>Complete details about the two competitions may be found for CSIO5* Gijon at <a href="http://www.gijon.es/Contenido.aspx?id=13009&amp;leng=en">www.gijon.es/Contenido.aspx?id=13009&amp;leng=en</a> and <a href="http://www.csiobarcelona.com">www.csiobarcelona.com</a> for CSIO5* Barcelona.
</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Tapner and Fox-Pitt Poised to Pounce on HSBC FEI Classics™ at Burghley</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3921</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3921#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:20:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Paul Tapner (AUS) and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) are the riders with most to gain from a big result at this weekend’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR, September 2-5). It is the fourth leg of the 2010 HSBC FEI Classics™, which carries a prize-pot of US$333,000 to be shared by the five most successful riders [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Paul Tapner (AUS) and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) are the riders with most to gain from a big result at this weekend’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR, September 2-5). It is the fourth leg of the 2010 HSBC FEI Classics™, which carries a prize-pot of US$333,000 to be shared by the five most successful riders across five CCI4* events.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />The current standings leader, Andreas Dibowski (GER), who has a healthy 7-point lead over this year’s Badminton and Lexington winners, is an absentee from Burghley, and Tapner and Fox-Pitt are poised to pounce.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Tapner, who looks set to make his debut on the Australian squad at the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, has two horses with useful CCI4* form: Kilfinnie, 15th last year, and Stormhill Michael, 10th at Badminton.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Fox-Pitt, bidding for a record sixth victory at Burghley, has the Argentine Thoroughbred Macchiato, a winner at Luhmühlen in 2008 and fifth at Badminton last year, plus the German-bred Seacookie, seventh at Burghley in 2009.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Two more riders handily placed in the top 10 of the HSBC FEI Classics™ rankings have rides at Burghley: the 1996 winner Mary King (GBR) with the veteran Apache Sauce, fourth here in 2008, and her home-bred mare Kings Temptress, and Andrew Nicholson (NZL), the victor in 1995 and 2000, with the brilliant jumper Armada and a choice of either Nereo or Avebury.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />In reality, though, the HSBC FEI Classics™ is still wide open and any number of riders could make their mark this weekend. None will be more aware of that than the defending champion, Oliver Townend (GBR). If he recaptures the Land Rover trophy at Burghley on Carousel Quest, he will be the first rider in Burghley’s 49-year history to win it back-to-back on the same horse.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />More than 80 horses from 13 nations are entered; the field ranges from the vast experience of double Olympic champion Mark Todd, 54, a five-times winner at Burghley who brings a new ride, Major Milestone, to 22-year-old Georgie Strang (GBR), who is lucky enough to have the ride on the wonderful 19-year-old Master Monarch, a CCI4* winner and third here in 2004 with Andrew Hoy.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Other Burghley debuts to watch are that of former Junior and Young Rider European Champion Laura Collett (GBR); Alex Hua Tian, who becomes the first Chinese representative to compete at Burghley, and Aistis Vitkauskas, who will be the first Lithuanian competitor.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Kai Rüder (GER), 10th last year, rides the only stallion in the field, Le Prince des Bois. There are two nine-year-old horses in the field: first-timer Kerry Varley’s (GBR) Bluestone Luke and Pascal Leroy’s (FRA) Minos de Petra; while Jean-Luc Goerens (FRA) and Marychope de Marast represent the senior combination – their combined ages add up to 73 years.
  <br />The Cross-Country Course Designer, Mark Phillips (GBR), has made several changes to his track and says that it will be a softer test than last year.
  <br />Riders will be delighted to hear that he has altered the line at the Discovery Valley (fence 6), which caused more than 25% of the field to fault last year, there’s a new option at the famous Trout Hatchery (fences 8, 9, 10) and the second corner at the influential Dairy Farm (17) has been re-sited onto flat ground.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />However, riders familiar with Captain Phillips’ courses know that Burghley, with its undulating terrain, always offers a true Cross-Country challenge which never fails to produce a worthy winner and a thrilling competition.
  <br />
  <br />Follow live results and coverage on <a href="http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk" target="_blank">www.burghley-horse.co.uk</a>
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
  <br />&nbsp;
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		<title>Kumano Captures Heart of the Continent</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3918</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3918#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:56:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Winnipeg, MB - The third event in the western region of the 2010 Jump Canada Young Horse Series took place during the Heart of the Continent Horse Show held August 4 to 8 in Winnipeg, MB. The venue, the Red River Exhibition Show Grounds, is familiar to Canadian show jumping fans, as it played host [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 2px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; MARGIN: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: 2px solid; PADDING-TOP: 4px" alt="Eric_Martin_and_Kumano___web.jpg" align="left" src="http://www.horse-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/News/August/Eric_Martin_and_Kumano___web.jpg" width="360" height="310" />Winnipeg, MB - The third event in the western region of the 2010 Jump Canada Young Horse Series took place during the Heart of the Continent Horse Show held August 4 to 8 in Winnipeg, MB. The venue, the Red River Exhibition Show Grounds, is familiar to Canadian show jumping fans, as it played host to the show jumping competition for the1999 Pan American Games where Canada earned the team bronze medal and Ian Millar, riding Ivar, claimed individual gold.
</p>
<p>The show jumping legacy continues at Red River with the annual Heart of the Continent Horse Show, which hosted the Jump Canada Young Horse Series for the first time. The winner of the Six-Year-Old Division was Eric Martin aboard Kumano, a dark brown Oldenburg stallion owned by Jan Ash-Gross of Oakbank, MB. Bred in Germany, Kumano is by Kannan and out of a LandJunge mare.
</p>
<p>“I was very pleased with the way the colt jumped; he was double clear,” said Martin of the stallion that he has been riding for just under a year. “In fact, he did not have a rail all week. He is the sweetest horse; you would never know he is a stallion, he has such a great temperament!”
</p>
<p>Next up for Martin and Kumano are the $20,000 Western Regional Finals, scheduled for September 1 to 5 at the Rocky Mountain Classic III in Calgary, AB.
</p>
<p>“We are really looking forward to taking Kumano to the western finals at the Rocky Mountain Classic III at the Anderson’s place,” said Martin. “Kumano also already has a few foals on the ground that are looking very, very promising. They are showing wonderful temperament, just like their sire. Basically, we are going to see how far Kumano takes us and just enjoy the ride!”
</p>
<p>Of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series itself, Martin says, “It is great to have a national standard for young horses. No matter where you are in Canada, you can say, ‘okay, this is where my young horse needs to be.’ You can know that your horse is jumping at the same level as other horses all across Canada. It is an opportunity to develop Canadian competition horses at a younger age, plus it is great to see some locally bred horses doing so well!”
</p>
<p>Martin also said he hopes that the Jump Canada Young Horse Series will encourage Canadian breeders, and inspire owners to develop their young horses earlier on.
</p>
<p>“Hopefully the Series will inspire Canadian owners and breeders to get their horses to the trainer at a younger age, and then we will see many more Canadian competition horses added to the pool of contenders,” said Martin. “The Young Horse Series is great because it has Canadian-bred horses competing against imports, and owners are realizing that these horses can do it, that they can stand up to the European competition. We have always known that Canadian-bred horses are good, they just haven’t been getting off the property fast enough!”
</p>
<p>Second place in the Six-Year-Old Division went to Matthew Atkinson riding Sonja MHS for owner Barbara Beckmann of Poplar Point, MB. Bred in Canada by Beckmann, Sonja MHS is a Canadian Warmblood mare by Carthago Sun I and out of a Tannenhain mare.
</p>
<p>The purpose of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series is to encourage the development of young show jumping talent and to give Canadian breeders additional incentives to breed superior show jumping prospects. Competing on a level playing field, the horses are divided according to age and jump at a level suited to their development. This careful development allows the horses to gain valuable experience and advance to the higher levels of show jumping competition with confidence. The Jump Canada Young Horse Series also gives prospective buyers for the hunter and jumper markets an opportunity to view a large group of prospects in a competition setting.
</p>
<p>The 2010 Jump Canada Young Horse Series is truly national in scope with competitions being held from coast to coast. The National Young Horse Finals will take place at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament held from September 22-26 in Palgrave, ON. Recognizing that many horse owners from the Western division will not be able to attend the National Young Horse Finals in Ontario, a total of $20,000 in prize money will be offered during the final Western division event, the Rocky Mountain Classic III to be held at Anderson Ranch in Calgary, AB, from September 1-5.
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
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<p>&nbsp;
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		<title>Marcus Ehning, King of Rio</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3916</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3916#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:20:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[There was a lot riding on the last day of the GCT. The Million Euro Bonus, the Grand Prix of Brazil and the Leading Rider Award, which itself was worth over 25,000Euro to the winner. Uliano Vezanni was in charge of building the course to sort them out and the first round produced eleven clear [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 2px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; MARGIN: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: 2px solid; PADDING-TOP: 4px" alt="BEA_6177.JPG" align="left" src="http://www.horse-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/News/August/BEA_6177.JPG" width="241" height="663" />There was a lot riding on the last day of the GCT. The Million Euro Bonus, the Grand Prix of Brazil and the Leading Rider Award, which itself was worth over 25,000Euro to the winner. Uliano Vezanni was in charge of building the course to sort them out and the first round produced eleven clear rounds. To&nbsp;the amazement of many, Marco Kutscher, leader of the GCT rankings was not among them when he had two down with Catoki. And Jos Lansink&#8217;s chance of snatching the winners part of the Bonus disappeared when Spender S had two fences down. But Marcus Ehning was in the eighteen second round contestants and so was Edwina Alexander, lying in fourth but ready to capitalise on anyone else&#8217;s misfortunes.
</p>
<p>In the second round Ellen Whitaker was the first to go double clear with Equimax Ocalado and she was soon joined by six others. Ellen hit the third fence and Phillip Westhaupt and Souvenir 29, the last. Denis Lynch and All Inclusive were the first to jump three clear rounds and he made a very good job of setting a fast time on All Inclusive NRW, stopping the clock at 33.50. Edwina Alexander took a stride out between the third and fourth fences and nearly paid the price but Cevo Itot du Chateau put in an enormous leap to clear the back rail only for the clock to deny him a better placing than Denis. Ben Maher was slower on Oscar although clear but the person who made the biggest effort to win was Brazil&#8217;s Carlos Ribas. Riding Ronaldo who he had only been riding for a client for a few weeks, he absolutely tore round to screams and whistles from the capacity crowd but 34.33 was only good enough for eventual fourth. Last in was Marcus Ehning. Already the winner of the leading rider prize when previous leader Christian Ahlmann had a rail in the second round on Taloubet Z, winning here would hand the German not only the Grand Prix but also the Championship. Finishing fourth would leave that in the hands of Marco Kutscher. And the margin for error was small. A second and a half split the riders currently leading the competiton. But Marcus Ehning is not a three times World Cup winner for nothing. Making good use of Noltes Kuchen Girl&#8217;s huge stride, he did not appear to be hurrying as much as Dennis but a final gallop to the last sealed the win and that jump off ride earned him 430,000 Euro in total prize money. More than anyone else has earned in any show jumping competition in the history of the sport.
</p>
<p>Earlier in the day, the Accumulator was equally exciting. It is becoming a regular thing to talk to Simon Delestre after GCT speed classes and today was no exception. He won the points against the clock class on this year&#8217;s undisputed GCT Queen of Speed, Orphee D&#8217;Illion. The tiny mare who is an easy quiet person at home but a tiger in the ring scored a maximum 65 points in a blistering 44.51, beating Italy&#8217;s Juan Carlos Garcia and Paulin by over a second. Leopold van Asten took third spot with VDL Groep Quinara and Christian Ahlmann was fourth on Perry Lee. Afterwards Simon and his groom explained that because Orphee is so small she needs to have plenty of fight in the ring. “She is a little crazy there, but at home she could not be more easy” said a clearly delighted rider. This result was was another good result for mares who filled the first three places.
</p>
<p>Results
  <br />Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Brazil
  <br />1.&nbsp;Marcus Ehning (GER) Noltes Kutchen Girl, 0,0,0, 33.23, Euro 100&#8242;000
  <br />2.&nbsp;Denis Lynch (IRE) All Inclusive NRW, 0,0,0, 33.50, Euro 70&#8242;000
  <br />3.&nbsp;Edwina Alexander (AUS) Cevo Itot du Chateau, 0,0,0, 34.01, Euro 50&#8242;000
  <br />4.&nbsp;Carlos Ribas (BRA) Ronaldo, 0,0,0, 34.33, Euro 25&#8242;000
</p>
<p>Class 4- Coca Cola Accumulator
  <br />1.&nbsp;Simon Delestre (FRA) Orphee D&#8217;Illion, 0, 65, 44.51, Euro 5000
  <br />2.&nbsp;Juan Carlos Garcia (ITA) Paulin, 0, 65, 45.60, Euro 4000
  <br />3.&nbsp;Leopold Van Asten (NED) VDL Groep Quinara, 0, 65, Euro 3000
</p>
<p>Quotes
  <br />Marcus Ehning- “I was lucky to be last to go and I knew I had a fast horse who could catch Denis but I still cannot believe all this has happened. The show title, the Grand Prix and the Champion title, it is amazing. I had to take all the risks in the jump off and tonight it paid off, I was lucky it all worked. I am just a bit happy!”
</p>
<p>Edwina Alexander-”It has been an amazing year so far and I can&#8217;t believe anyone could win as much money as Marcus, he was unbelievable tonight. This is Itot&#8217;s last show before WEG, he gets a short holiday now. Which he deserves as I decided with Jan (Tops) that I could do that related distance on four strides but when I got there it was a little bit further than I thought!”
</p>
<p>Jan Tops- “You do not see many events like this one. For so much to ride on the last second of a jump off. I cannot imagine having a better day than this one. And as for next year at this moment, I do not know how we will improve on this.”
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
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		<title>Michael Jung is new HSBC FEI Eventing World Cup™ Champion</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3914</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3914#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:12:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3914</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Michael Jung was crowned the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Champion for 2010 at the last event of the season, Schenefeld (GER), where he emphasised his domination of the series by finishing second, third and fourth behind the winner, Julia Mestern (GER) on FRH Schorsch.

After 12 events in 10 countries and three continents, Jung, who [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 2px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; MARGIN: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: 2px solid; PADDING-TOP: 4px" alt="Jung_Schenefeld.JPG" align="left" src="http://www.horse-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/News/August/Jung_Schenefeld.JPG" width="251" height="782" />Michael Jung was crowned the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Champion for 2010 at the last event of the season, Schenefeld (GER), where he emphasised his domination of the series by finishing second, third and fourth behind the winner, Julia Mestern (GER) on FRH Schorsch.
</p>
<p>After 12 events in 10 countries and three continents, Jung, who is being hailed as one of the world’s most exciting young riders, emerged supreme as the only rider to have won two events, at Marbach (GER) and Strzegom (POL).
</p>
<p>His reaction on learning that he has won US$50,000 of HSBC prize-money was: “This is wonderful for me because as a professional rider I am always thinking about earning money. This will now allow me to relax and prepare my top horse, Sam, for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky next month.
</p>
<p>“The HSBC FEI World Cup™ has provided great opportunities for me to prepare three horses to top level. It couldn’t have been better and I’m very pleased and grateful.”
</p>
<p>It was an all-German line-up at Schenefeld – only two of the 16 finishers were non-German, Sweden’s Malin Larsson, 15th, and Belarusian rider Aleksandr Faminou, 16th. The main beneficiary in HSBC FEI World Cup™ points was Dirk Schrade (GER), who finished sixth on Gadget de la Cere and earned enough points to be propelled into the top 15 riders who will share the US$180,000 prize-pot.
</p>
<p>Schenefeld was a mandatory outing for the senior German squad preparing for Kentucky, and Julia Mestern, who rose from fifth place after Dressage to take the lead with one of only two Cross-Country rounds inside the optimum time, admitted that she felt considerable pressure with a host of experienced riders breathing down her neck in the final Jumping phase.
</p>
<p>The 14-year-old FRH Schorsch is Mestern’s only event horse – she has also competed him in Dressage and Jumping, and she herself spends most of her time riding Dressage horses.
</p>
<p>“I am so pleased, I love my horse,” she said afterwards. “It was very nerve-racking when Michael (Jung) rode three clear Jumping rounds – there was only 0.2 of a penalty between us – but my horse felt all weekend as though he wanted to win.”
</p>
<p>Ingrid Klimke (GER), the Dressage leader on Butts Abraxxas, finished in fifth place after accumulating Cross-Country time penalties and having two Jumping rails down. Her team mates had mixed results: Frank Ostholt (GER) withdrew Mr Medicott after Dressage, but Andreas Dibowski (GER) took a soaking fall in the double water complex with Butts Leon and Dirk Schrade (GER) retired King Artus after two refusals at the water-filled ditch in the coffin.
</p>
<p>There were 15 clear Cross-Country rounds from the 19 finishers, and little change to the order in the final Jumping phase. All riders praised the excellent going, which drained well despite the heavy rain.
</p>
<p>All in all, it was a fitting climax to the 2010 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, as all eyes now turn to the fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) next weekend, and the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Results
  <br />1. Julia Mestern/FRH Schorsch (GER) 39.0 + 0 + 0 = 39
  <br />2. Michael Jung/Weidezaunprofi’s River of Joy (GER) 36.0 + 3.2 + 0 = 39.2
  <br />3. Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam (GER) 39.8 + 0 + 0 = 39.8
  <br />4. Michael Jung/Leopin (GER) 45.8 + 1.2 + 0 = 47.0
  <br />5. Ingrid Klimke/Butts Abraxxas (GER) 34.8 + 4.8 + 8 = 47.6
  <br />6. Dirk Schrade/Gadget de la Cere AA (GER) 40.8 + 7.6 + 0 = 48.4
  <br />7. Andreas Dibowski/FRH Fantasia (GER) 42.2 + 8.4 + 0 = 50.6
  <br />8. Andreas Ostholt/Franco Jeas (GER) 47.8 + 4.4 + 4 = 56.2
  <br />9. Kai Rüder/Leprince des Bois (GER) 38.6 + 12 + 8 = 58.6
  <br />10. Anna Siemer/Charlott 23 (GER) 51.0 + 7.6 + 1= 59.6
</p>
<p>Full results on <a href="http://www.schenefeld-eventing.de" target="_blank">www.schenefeld-eventing.de</a>
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Final Standings (in the case of riders tying on points, the best scores take precedence)
  <br />1. Michael Jung (GER) 142 points - US$50,000
  <br />2. Megan Jones (AUS) 138 - US$34,000
  <br />3 Phillip Dutton (USA) 131 - US$23,000
  <br />4. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) 128 - US$18,000
  <br />5. Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) 128 - US$13,000
  <br />6. Alexey Korshunov (RUS) 125 - US$10,000
  <br />7. Andreas Dibowski (GER) 122 - US$8,000
  <br />8. Kai Rüder (GER) 122 - US$6,500
  <br />9. Dirk Schrade (GER) 119 - US$5,000
  <br />10. Sonja Johnson (AUS) 119 - US$4,000
  <br />11. Kai-Steffen Meier (GER) 119 - US$3,000
  <br />12. Ruth Edge (GBR) 110 - US$2,000
  <br />13. Andrew Downes (GBR) 104 - US$2,000
  <br />14. Frank Ostholt (GER) 101 - US$1,500
  <br />15. John-Paul Sheffield (GBR) 101 - US$1,000
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>&nbsp;
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		<title>Hayley Alfonso and Children’s Wish Win Big at Rocky Mountain Classic II</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3911</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3911#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:48:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3911</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Calgary, AB -&#160;Hayley Alfonso, Ben Asselin and the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada were the big winners during the CSI2* Rocky Mountain Classic II held August 25 to 29 at Anderson Ranch in Calgary, AB.

For the second week in a row, Asselin won Thursday’s featured event. Having won the $32,500 Laramide Oil and Gas Grand [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 2px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; MARGIN: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: 2px solid; PADDING-TOP: 4px" alt="RMclassic.jpg" align="left" src="http://www.horse-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/News/August/RMclassic.jpg" width="267" height="806" />Calgary, AB -&nbsp;Hayley Alfonso, Ben Asselin and the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada were the big winners during the CSI2* Rocky Mountain Classic II held August 25 to 29 at Anderson Ranch in Calgary, AB.
</p>
<p>For the second week in a row, Asselin won Thursday’s featured event. Having won the $32,500 Laramide Oil and Gas Grand Prix the previous Thursday riding Magic Man, the 16-year-old returned to the grass grand prix field on Thursday, August 26, to capture the $32,500 Attaché Classic with Lolita. A total of nine clear rounds were produced from the 27-horse starting field but no one could catch Asselin and Lolita, hot of their double gold medals at the recent North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championship, who posted a clear jump-off round in a time of 46 seconds flat. Lindsay Wendt of High River, AB, and Chanel gave it their best shot, stopping the timers in 46.63 while Asselin’s own sister, Kelly Koss, clocked in at 47.01 seconds to take third place with Laokoon 12.
</p>
<p>Saturday evening’s $50,000 Oilpatch Grand Prix saw 28 entries attempt the technical track set by Germany’s Werner Deeg, who challenged horses and riders throughout his two weeks as course designer at Anderson Ranch. A tricky line to the open water at fence 12 caused its fair share of casualties, but seven riders persevered to advance to the jump-off. Hayley Alfonso, 23, made easy work of the jump-off course riding Lennox 157, jumping clear in a time of 43.25 seconds. Runner-up Lisa Carlsen of Edmonton, AB, was more than four seconds off the pace, clocking in at 47.50 riding La Boom while Calgary’s Emily George stopped the timers in 48.83 seconds for third place with Quidam’s Ramiro.
</p>
<p>“I wanted to try to be clean and be quick, because I knew there were a lot of quick ones coming behind me,” said Alfonso, who was second in the jump-off order with Lennox 157, a 10-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding owned by Tyndall Wood Farms. “My horse was amazing, he tried really hard. He felt great, and I couldn’t have asked him to be better.”
</p>
<p>Earlier this season, Alfonso and Lennox 157, a horse she began riding last October, won the $15,000 Cymric Brae Grand Prix held during the Bow Valley Classic I at Anderson Ranch from May 12-16. Trained by her mother, Patty Alfonso, as well as Dayton Gorsline, Alfonso is currently based in St. Andrews, MB. Making the trip back to Calgary was definitely worthwhile.
</p>
<p>“The entire show was having a great time, everyone in the tent was having a great time, and it made the class a lot more exciting!” said Alfonso. “It was a great evening. It was such a privilege to have the FEI classes here, and to be able to compete for world ranking points with so many great horses at a local facility. It was a great evening.”
</p>
<p>The jump-off was made even more exciting given that 450 guests were enjoying a sit-down dinner in the VIP tent during the competition. Tournament organizer John Anderson of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping had planned the day to honour his sponsors, as well as host a fundraising event for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
</p>
<p>At 12 noon, Anderson’s sponsors and supporters were treated to a shot-gun golf tournament at neighbouring Sirocco Golf Club. By 6:30 p.m., all 450 guests were seated in the VIP tent and special guest, J.C. Anderson, was toasted in a surprise tribute for his 80th birthday. The guests were reminded that they were gathered together in the spirit of giving, inspired by J.C. Anderson’s generous $11 million donation to the Calgary Foundation, which benefits community organizations for the long-term benefit of Calgary and the surrounding area.
</p>
<p>With that, the spotlight was turned onto the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, and the difference it makes by granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Before the jump-off began, 12-year-old Children’s Wish recipient Alyssa Jobbagy, who has Cystic Fibrosis, was presented with her new pony, Sassy Pants, in an emotional ceremony.
</p>
<p>Then a brand new blue Jeep Cherokee was driven onto the grand prix field, and a heated live auction ensued, with much encouragement from the professional auctioneers. Sally Meecham of EQ Barns, provider of new barns and classic equine equipment, emerged victorious with the winning bid of $68,000.
</p>
<p>Other auction items of note included ‘Beef on the Hoof,’ with the lucky bidder paying $5,600 to hand-pick a steer from J.C. Anderson’s herd; a five-day get-away at Anderson’s home at Barton Creek Golf Resort and Spa in Austin, TX, which went for $16,000; and a private lesson with Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze that was won for $1,000 by Aidan Pettigrew.
</p>
<p>“It was a great night,” said Anderson, who placed fourth in the $50,000 Oilpatch Grand Prix riding Terrific. “The Oilpatch Grand Prix is typically the one day that I build a huge sponsor recognition day around. My dad had a great surprise for his 80th birthday with 450 people toasting him before the sponsor dinner. When we presented the pony to Alyssa, there was not a dry eye in the house. The jump-off was very exciting, but no one could catch Hayley – she was on fire! And after the Grand Prix, we opened the VIP tent to everyone and partied into the night with dancing and a huge fireworks show.”
</p>
<p>In total, more than $75,000 was raised for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
</p>
<p>“It was the day when it all counted,” said Anderson. “The most important day of the year is the day when we say ‘thank you’ to everyone for their generous support. With corporate support, we can attract more and more riders to our ever-growing international tournaments.
</p>
<p>“We are so extremely happy that, in our first year of hosting an FEI event, we were able to knock it out of the park,” continued Anderson of the inaugural International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned event. “The team at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping and all of the exhibitors made it happen.”
</p>
<p>The Rocky Mountain Classic II was the second of three weeks of show jumping offered in the series. Competition continues with the Rocky Mountain Classic III, held September 1 to 5, featuring the $20,000 Western Regional Final of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series as well as the Canadian Equestrian Development League $25,000 Western Canadian Championships.
</p>
<p>Rocky Mountain Show Jumping hosts its tournaments at Anderson Ranch in Calgary’s south end, a world-class facility featuring permanent stabling for 300 horses and a grass grand prix field complete with natural obstacles. For more information on Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, please visit <a href="http://www.rmshowjumping.com">www.rmshowjumping.com</a>.
</p>
<p>$50,000 Oilpatch Grand Prix CSI2* - Saturday, August 28
  <br />Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
  <br />1. Hayley Alfonso St. Andrews, MB Lennox 157 0:0 43.25
  <br />2. Lisa Carlsen Edmonton, AB La Boom 0:0 47.50
  <br />3. Emily George Calgary, AB Quidam’s Ramiro 0:0 48.83
  <br />4. .John Anderson Calgary, AB Terrific 0:4 43.31
  <br />5. Lisa Carlsen Edmonton, AB Cuba Libre 0:4 46.90
  <br />6. Kelly Koss Calgary, AB Carlos Don Benito 0:8 42.57
  <br />7. Alexander Grayton Priddis, AB Henry 255 0:8 43.53
  <br />8. Jorge Verswyvel Venezuela Artifice LS 4
  <br />9. Lindsay Wendt High River, AB Georgia 181 4
  <br />10. Tamie Phillips Strathmore, AB Lucas 4
</p>
<p>$32,500 Attaché Classic CSI2* – Thursday, August 26
  <br />Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
  <br />1. Ben Asselin Calgary, AB Lolita 0:0 46.00
  <br />2. Lindsay Wendt High River, AB Chanel 0:0 46.63
  <br />3. Kelly Koss Calgary, AB Laokoon 12 0:0 47.01
  <br />4. Jorge Verswyvel Venezuela Artifice LS 0:0 47.21
  <br />5. Femke van den Bosch Red Deer, AB Tom Tom 0:0 48.04
  <br />6. Christina Marlin St. Albert, AB Cartanga 0:0 50.62
  <br />7. Kelly Koss Calgary, AB Carlos Don Benito 0:4 44.33
  <br />8. Lisa Carlsen Edmonton, AB La Boom 0:4 45.79
  <br />9. Kristin Russell Calgary, AB Ashtin’s Sevita 0:4 48.55
  <br />10. Marshall Whyte Cochrane, AB Quinlan 1
  <br />
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		<title>Hugh Graham Wins Villarboit Grand Prix</title>
		<link>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3910</link>
		<comments>http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3910#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:43:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>horse</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Horse Sport News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.horse-canada.com/?p=3910</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Halton Hills, ON -&#160;It all came down to experience Sunday at Halton Place as three veteran Canadian Equestrian Team members claimed the top three placings in the $40,000 Villarboit Grand Prix at the Canadian Country Classic.
  &#160;
  In a crowded jump-off field of 10 horses, Hugh Graham of King Ridge Stables (King,ON)&#160;guided grey [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 2px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; MARGIN: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: 2px solid; PADDING-TOP: 4px" alt="HughHaltonPlace.jpg" align="left" src="http://www.horse-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/News/August/HughHaltonPlace.jpg" width="360" height="277" />Halton Hills, ON -&nbsp;It all came down to experience Sunday at Halton Place as three veteran Canadian Equestrian Team members claimed the top three placings in the $40,000 Villarboit Grand Prix at the Canadian Country Classic.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />In a crowded jump-off field of 10 horses, Hugh Graham of King Ridge Stables (King,ON)&nbsp;guided grey Canadian Sport Horse gelding Executive Privilege 3E to victory in a time of 31.10 seconds; hot on his heels was Beth Underhill (King, ON) who went first in the jump-off and stopped the clock at 31.88 seconds.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Finishing in third spot was Ainsley Vince of Milton who blazed around the course on Freida in the fastest time and seemed poised for victory until her mount Frieda, downed a heartbreak rail on the last fence of the course.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />“It was a tough enough course – I was surprised – and technical enough,” said Graham, who also took fourth place with Canadian Sport Horse gelding Fifth Estate 3E.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />The class was a showcase for the show jumping talent emerging from King Ridge Stables’ breeding operation: 10-year-old Executive Privilege 3E was the first foal born in the King Ridge program, out of Galaxy by Class Action, two horses that Graham previously rode.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Fifth Estate 3E is also by Class Action, out of Alley Cat. Roberto Teran (King, ON) also made Sunday’s jump-off round with King Ridge’s Grand Finale 3E, a talented young Canadian Sport Horse mare that has dominated the Jump Canada Young Horse Development Series in the seven and eight year classes this year.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />“It’s been a long haul, a lot of work and a lot of training. It’s nice when you get results like today,” says Graham, who’ll return to Halton Place for next week’s $40,000 SWISSCAN Grand Prix on Sunday, September 5th.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Beth Underhill was delighted with her mount Quelqu’un de la Musardiere’s second-place finish, as it was the 10-year-old gelding’s first grand prix.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />“He’s a horse owned by one of my students (Christopher Cullen, also of King. ON), who has been working and gave me the chance to ride him. It’s a great opportunity,” said Underhill. “He was very solid in his first round of the grand prix, the times were close and he did everything I asked of him. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Underhill praised the course, designed by David Ballard, as offering a learning curve for young horses, while still presenting a challenge for more seasoned horses.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Ainsley Vince said Frieda, a nine-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner mare by For Future “is very fast and good on the turns, but still a hair green.” As well as Sunday’s third place finish, Vince and the agile little (15.3 hand) mare claimed first place in Friday’s Open Welcome and Vince has high hopes for the horse, owned by the KMA Group. “This is the fifth year I’ve been riding Frieda, who was purchased as a youngster, and I’m very excited about her.”
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Second in the Open Welcome was Roberto Teran, (King, ON) on Grand Finale 3E and third was Chris Sorensen, (Caledon, ON) on SS Bobby.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Halton Place owner Timur Leckebusch has been pleased with the response to Week One’s classes.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />“It’s been fantastic. We’re actually sold out of stalls,” said Leckebusch, who has devoted two decades to turning the 200-acre former hog farm into a premier European-style&nbsp;&nbsp; show jumping venue. “It’s taken a lot longer than I thought it would, but Halton Place is at the point where it’s looking good enough for me to say I’m proud of it.”
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Although a World Cup Qualifier had originally been planned for the Canadian Country Classic, after a crowded schedule that included a new FEI class at Spruce Meadows, Alberta and a new $1 million grand prix in Saugerties, New York, Leckebusch decided to cancel the big class and instead increase prize money in the amateur and hunter divisions. He said the move to do so has been so positively received, he plans to do the same in the future, helping to build the development of the&nbsp;&nbsp; sport below the elite level, concentrating on enriching the pot at the grassroots of the sport for rising talent – both rider and equine. Leckebusch also wants to create events that will be inviting to the general public, not just the equestrian crowd, to build greater awareness for horse sport.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />Highlights of Week Two of the Canadian Country Classic (Sept 1st – 5th) will include Saturday’s Team Charity Challenge at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday’s $40,000 SWISSCAN Grand Prix at 2 p.m.
  <br />&nbsp;
  <br />RESULTS
  <br />$40,000 Villarboit Grand Prix (Aug 29th)
  <br />Rider - Horse - Town - Results
  <br />1.&nbsp;Hugh Graham - Executive Privilege - King. ON - 0: 0 - 31:10 secs
  <br />2. Beth Underhill - Quelqu’un De La Musardiere - King. ON - 0: 0 - 31:88 secs
  <br />3. Ainsley Vince - Frieda - Milton. ON - 0: 4 - 29:12 secs
  <br />4. Hugh Graham - Fifth Estate 3E - King, ON - 0: 4 - 31:96 secs&nbsp;
  <br />5. Neil Babcock - Campino - King, ON - 0: 4 - 32:67 secs
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