Today’s two-round Nations’ Cup acted as the second and third individual qualifiers, and all the members of the Canadian Junior Team enjoyed success in the big Rolex Stadium ring. Jumping American Steve Stephens’ course, Katelyn Cooper of Calgary, AB and her nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Casino Royale (Cassini II x Coriander), posted a clear first round and had 12 faults in the second, which put the pair in 20th place individually after three rounds, with a two day total of 16.98.
Adrien Vilcini of Selwyn, ON and his horse Gervantus, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding sired by Gesmaray, had great rounds, posting two clear efforts today, but when combined with their score from yesterday, the duo finished in 34th place.
Riding RRC Black Magic (King’s Master x Ricardo Z), a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by 944700 Alberta Ltd, Meagan Beunder of Calgary, AB had a challenging first round but returned to complete the course with 12 faults to finish 37th place.
The top 25 Junior riders will move forward to the Junior Individual Final on Sunday and the remaining riders will be invited to compete in Saturday’s Farewell class.
“We had a great day today. Adrien Vilcini jumped double clean and Katelyn Cooper was zero and 12 faults. Unfortunately, Meagan Beunder’s horse became a little disconcerted with the third jump, which was a funny-looking light stand, in the first round, but came back with a very hard fought second round, so all in all, the juniors rode quite well,” said chef d’équipe Hyde Moffat. “Katelyn qualified for the Individual Final on Sunday, and she is quite excited to even improve on her performance.”
Following Young Riders Nations’ Cup and the First Individual Qualifier, Carlie Fairty of Markham, ON and Ladyplane (Levisto x Lad), her 10-year-old Brandenburger mare, are in 22nd place. After three rounds, Muhammad Itani of Essex, ON and his 12-year-old Cheval de Selle Luxembourgeois gelding, Tax Free (Toulon x Pilot) finished in 24th place overall.
“Our Young Riders were quite good. The senior course took its toll, but both our riders completed,” added Moffat. “They did have some rails down; however, they finished in mid-pack with the group. It was a very taxing track, as it should be in a championship format. Both of our senior riders are pleased to be in the Final.”
In the Young Riders division, the top 25 riders will also be invited to Sunday’s Young Rider Individual Final, and both Fairty and Itani will take part.
For more information and complete results for NAJYRC, please visit www.youngriders.org.
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