| Friday, November 11 |
CET Medal National Final - RAWF 2009
Day 2 - Jumping and Final Phases.
WOW. What an exciting event we witnessed today. As you may have read yesterday, the Jumping Phase started with the top eight competitors within 9 points. The course was a very good straightforward yet challenging Table A jumping competition which included the mandatory double and triple combinations and a liverpool. Time was a factor and competitors had to really focus on their track to avoid expensive time penalties. The riders had to walk the course without trainers - a further test of their skills.
The field was strong and there were few serious errors - a great testament to the quality of this year's crop of riders.
Jumping Phase results:
1. Miranda Travers-Cavill ON 89
2. Lauren Gue BC 87
3. Cassandra Kahle BC 84
4. Lanie Thomas ON 83
5. Anne-Sophie Milette QC 80
6. Stephanie Morier QC 74
7. Ally Franczak AB 72
8. Laurence Addison QC 71
The top four overall were clearly separated from the rest of the pack.
The ride off was very difficult and Lanie Thomas started it off with a fabulous ride - putting the pressure on the next three. Cassandra Kahle took up the challenge and produced another top notch performance. Not to be out done, Lauren Gue went for broke and nailed an amazing round. The pressure was all on Miranda Travers-Cavill who started out beautifully and then the nighmare happened as her mount skipped out of the bending three stride line - she can be proud that she won both the phases of the medal and it was a heart breaker which we all felt in the final phase.
This was truly one of the best and most exciting CET Medal Finals to date.
Final Results:
1. Lauren Gue BC
2. Cassandre Kahle BC
3. Lenie Thomas ON
4. Miranda Travers-Cavill ON
5. Ally Franczak AB
6. Anne-Sophie Milette QC
7. Jessica Rooks BC
8. Jordan Wilson AB
Note: Back in the hitching ring after the event, it was a pleasure to see that "Team BC" truly personified the meaning of teamwork - first or last, they were there for each other. This is what the program is all about - the beginnings of our future grand prix and team riders. Congratulations to you all.
Silly note: BC Team mothers and trainers produced a bottle of champagne - which they had brought to present to the winning rider. Little did they know that it was for their own team and I'm sure it was shared in the true spirit for which it was intended.
Many thanks to judges Jim Clapperton and Crystine Tauber – not an easy task.
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| Tuesday, November 10 |
Spooky Courses and Champions Declared
The Hunter Divisions continue at The Royal Horse Show.
Monday night's classes saw horses spooking at the course designer's new paddlewheel jump. The bright lights and impressive standards caused problems for many entrants. In the end, Erynn Ballard and Windhaven's Andora won the $1500 Combined Hunter class over fences sponsored by Davies, Ward, Phillips and Vineberg in memory of Eric James.
At Tuesday's show, champions were crowned in the Adult Amateur Hunter Divisions. In the younger Adult Amateur Division, Southern Belle ridden by Kristina Stevenson and Viola ridden by Emma Wieland were declared Champion and Reserve Champion in awards sponsored by Horse Sport Magazine. In the older Adult Division, Casino ridden by Kristen Baran and Lalique ridden by Jill Irving were Champion and Reserve Champion with these awards sponsored by Equine Canada.
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| Monday, November 9 |
Opening Weekend Special Awards
On Saturday evening, The Royal Horse Show made a series of special presentations for sportsmanship, leading pony, best junior rider and top groom.
The Jane Hunter Memorial Sportsmandship Award was awarded to Alexa Steblaj for her work with bringing "Uno" to the hunter ring and getting rules changed for the sport to allow one-eyed horses to compete in hunter divisions. An antiquated rule that needed to be changed.
The Rofantina High Point Junior Rider Award was given to Paige Dixon as the top junior rider at The Royal. Paige won all four Medium Pony Hunter classes. Thanks to Windhaven Farm for sponsoring this award.
The Groom's Award went to Phillipa Stanley who works for Beth Underhill. Beth and Phillpia were delighted with the award. The countless hours of dedication and hard work are recognized!
The Yvonne Collard Memorial Trophy for the top working hunter pony was awarded to Dreamgirl owned and ridden by Paige Dixon. The trophy and plate are generously donated by the Collard Family. Yvonne Collard was a dedicated member of The Royal Horse Show Committee and served on the Jumper Jury.
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| Sunday, November 8 | Draught Horse News
Two horse teams of Purebred Registered Percheron Mares was won by the powerful mares of Skyview II of the USA, driven by American veteran Chad Cole of Pa. This was a class very deep in quality.
Five pairs entered the Royal Horse Show Ring in the Two Horse Teams of Purebred Registered Clydesdales Mares, but this class was dominated by the Steve Gregg hitch, driven in style by his son, Jason.
The Percheron Cart - Mares was a phenomenal class with nothing but high-stepping quality horses. The mare to win was driven by Bob Black of Hillsburgh, Ontario. This home-bred mare could compete with any gelding in any cart class!
The Royal Heavy Horse Show....only World Class!
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| Saturday, November 7 |
Paige Dixon sweeps the medium pony division In an amazing sweep, Paige Dixon and Dreamgirl won all four classes in the Medium Pony Division. Paige and Dreamgirl may be the early favorite for the $5000 Horse Sport Pony Classic which will be held Saturday, November 7 at 6:45 pm. Paige and Dreamgirl competed all year to qualify for The Royal Horse Show and she qualified #1 in Ontario. Paige's parents are both avid equestrians and compete in the hunter divisions regularly. The Dixon family owns and operates Running Fox Equestrian and are a long time commercial exhibitor at The Royal. |
| Saturday, November 7 |
Draught Horse News - Ontario Belgians take first place The four Belgian mares of Daryll Drain of Lakefield, Ontario swept up first place last night in an extremely high quality class of draught horses. Randy Robertson handled the lines in his usual professional manner and made his drive of the winning hitch look easy. The four mares drove in unison and their steps were high and moving. Second place was won in deserving fashion by Lee Smith's Clydesdale mares. Their white legs with abundant feather stepped lively during the class with the lines in the capable hands of Malcolm Yahton. Ringside observers agreed it was one of the best four Mare classes in recent history! |
| Friday, November 6 |
Pony Hunters Heat it Up in the Race for the Grand Championship Points are tight in the Pony Hunter divisions following two over-fences classes in the Ricoh Coliseum today. The leader by two points is a medium pony named Dream Girl, ridden by Paige Dixon, with 14 points. Paige Grant with her large pony Westwin currently sits in second behind her with 12 points and Summit Lighthearted, a small pony ridden by Lili Weima is just one point behind Grant. Tomorrow’s Stake class over fences will be the deciding factor so stay tuned to see who wins the Grand Champion Pony Hunter Title! And don’t forget the top four ponies from each division will go head-to-head in the Horse Sport Pony Classic tomorrow evening at 6:45! |
