LETTER from the CHAIR in THIS ISSUE Rider and Leading Canadian Rider While Fine Lady 5 Received the Leading Canadian Horse Award, Presented by Lothlorien

THE WARM-UP RING The Official News of the Jumping Committee November 2019, Volume 15, Issue 11 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR IN THIS ISSUE Rider and Leading Canadian Rider while Fine Lady 5 received the Leading Canadian Horse Award, presented by Lothlorien. What a great finish for a truly great rider, and what a treat for Royal Horse Show Photo Gallery Royal fans! Michelle C. Dunn Canadian Champions Crowned at Eric also gave a heartfelt tribute to the 97th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair legendary Ian Millar during a special ceremony honouring his retirement from international team competition. He spoke about his relationship Beth Underhill Claims Canadian with Ian, and how Ian has inspired him to reach Show Jumping Championship Title great heights in his own career while always keeping the Canadian show jumping team as his number-one priority. Both are outstanding Sierra Mark Named 2019 National athletes and team players as well as role models Junior/Amateur Champion for the next generation.

Aptly Named Royal Wins at The Alongside his teammates, Eric also attended the Royal with Tatum Horan sold-out edition of this year’s Jump Canada Hall The 97th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is over of Fame Gala. What a treat for us all to have him in attendance! The 2008 Olympic silver Kristjan Good and Chantilly Lace for another year, and what a year it was! For one thing, it had an added feature in that medal team, comprised of Eric, Mac Cone, Jill Top $15,000 Braeburn Farms Equestrian Canada hosted its Annual Convention Henselwood, and Ian, was inducted into the Hall Hunter Derby in conjunction with The Royal. It afforded an of Fame in the “Team” category. There was nary excellent opportunity for our membership to a dry eye in the house when the tribute video, combine a visit to The Royal with several days so well crafted by the Hall of Fame committee, Leanna Lazzari Wins $25,000 relived the outstanding results for Canada at Knightwood Hunter Derby of meetings, speakers, symposiums, etc. It certainly added to the general busyness of The the 2008 Olympic Games. Despite being down Royal for those who were competing and/or to three riders for the second round, our Team Sabrina Von Buttlar Wins Jump training. won the silver medal before Eric went on to Canada Medal National Final thrill us all by claiming the individual gold in a The topics of the symposiums were widely varied nail-biting jump-off. (Who can ever forget Eric’s and well received by all. In addition, the first selfless gesture of pointing to Hickstead as the Rayne Dubois Reigns in Running Friday saw a live hunter clinic for judging officials true winner as he galloped around the ring? I Fox CET Medal National Final (or those desiring to become one). This format know I never will.) Congratulations also to Greg combined watching and judging live classes at Greenough and Wayne McLellan, who were The Royal and then meeting with the clinician inducted in the class of 2019. It was truly a Barbara Ruziska Rides to Under 25 and the rest of the participants to discuss special edition of the Hall of Fame featuring three National Championship Title the class(es). This was likely the most useful deserving inductees! formula for a hunter clinic as it combined the live Eric Lamaze Makes Triumphant judging of real competitors followed by a detailed For all Royal Horse Show competitors, from pony discussion of why the horses were placed the Return to The Royal riders to our top international athletes, there is no way they were. Hopefully this format will be show quite like The Royal. The thrill of walking brought back again in the near future. into the ring never gets old. I certainly hope that ATTENTION Talent ID Athletes! This year, The Royal welcomed home one of those of you who competed at this year’s Royal the world’s top show jumping athletes in his were pleased with your results, and whether you Tokyo Calling! first appearance since 2011. Our own Eric came out on top or simply came out of the Coca- “Lamazing” Lamaze showed his fans that he is Cola Coliseum with a smile, you are secure in still at the top of his game despite facing serious knowing that you had a successful year and a Success Stories health challenges. With both Fine Lady 5 and special end to your season with the opportunity Chacco Kid in top form, Eric stormed to victory to show at our country’s oldest and most iconic Longines World Rider Rankings in his very first class and posted top placings horse show. throughout the entire week of international show jumping competition. While an unlucky rail at Acknowledgments the last fence prevented Eric and Chacco Kid from joining the four-horse jump-off in the World Cup Grand Prix, he still placed sixth, his “lowest” placing of the entire week! When the show Pamela Law wrapped up on Saturday night, it was no surprise Chair, that he was named the Leading International Jumping Committee

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 1 ROYAL HORSE SHOW PHOTO GALLERY Toronto, ON | November 1-10, 2019 | All Photo Credits – © Jump Media

The iconic RCMP Musical Ride performed during opening weekend. Sam Walker (center) celebrates his third-place finish in the Canadian Championship riding Coralissa with Nicole Weatherall and his father, Scott Walker.

Eric Lamaze made a triumphant return to the Royal Horse Show.

Eric Lamaze receives his second-place ribbon A special retirement ceremony was held for 10- in the $85,000 Big Ben International Challenge time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar. from Ian Millar.

Kelly and Jonathon Millar. Mac Cone, Royal course designer Michel Vaillancourt, and Ian Millar.

Canadian course designers Dave Ballard and Beth Underhill celebrates her Canadian Michel Vaillancourt. Peter Doubleday interviews Eric Lamaze. Championship title with Count Me In.

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 2 CANADIAN CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT 97TH ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR

With sold-out crowds and appearances by Canadian Olympic champion Eric Lamaze and the iconic RCMP Musical Ride, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held from November 1 to 10, 2019, once again welcomed the best of the best to downtown Toronto. The year- end event that everyone hopes to qualify for, this year’s Royal Horse Show showcased top horse sport across a myriad of divisions. Here are the highlights from this year’s show jumping, equitation, and hunter derby competitions.

BETH UNDERHILL CLAIMS Jump Media CANADIAN SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, claimed the Canadian Show Jumping Championship title on Saturday night, November 2, during the Royal Horse Show’s opening weekend.

The $125,000 Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship was held over two phases on Friday and Saturday nights. Having competed for $25,000 in prize money during the Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, claimed the $125,000 Henry Equestrian opening speed round on Friday, riders returned to the Coca-Cola Canadian Show Jumping Championship riding Count Me In for owners Coliseum in reverse order of standing to tackle the $100,000 two- Sandy Lupton and Robert Caswell. round finale. Canadian Olympian Amy Millar, 42, of Perth, ON, had won Friday night’s speed phase, giving her the advantage Jump Media of being the final competitor on course in the opening round of Saturday’s competition.

The drama began to unfold when Underhill was foot-perfect over the course set by Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt while Millar made it all the way to the final fence before knocking a rail out of its cups for four faults riding Truman, a 10-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Kolibri) owned by Millar Brooke Farm Ltd. and Overlund.

Carrying their scores forward, the top six riders from round one advanced to an all-deciding second round. Millar jumped clear the second time out with Truman, leaving her on four faults overall. A rail down would cost Underhill the title, but the Olympic, World Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON, was named the reserve Championship, and Pan American Games veteran would make no champion in the Canadian Show Jumping Championship riding Truman. mistakes, guiding Count Me In home fault-free in front of a sold-out home crowd to take the Canadian Show Jumping Championship Jump Media title.

“It means the world to me,” said Underhill, 57, of her victory. “I was watching the Mounties perform the Musical Ride earlier, and I was actually getting quite emotional. I felt so proud to be a Canadian. I said to myself in that moment, ‘Make tonight count.’ It really inspired me to do my best.

“With a horse as lovely as Count Me In, I always try to give him the best ride that I possibly can, and he gave me his all yesterday and tonight,” continued Underhill of the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Count Grannus x Sherlock Holmes) owned by Sandy Lupton and Robert Caswell. “It was fantastic to compete in front of a sold- out crowd, and you really, really felt it. As a rider, you step into Podium finishers Amy Millar (left), Beth Underhill (center), and Sam Walker that ring and there’s nothing like it. It’s why we do this. It was a (right), are presented as the top three in the 2019 Henry Equestrian wonderful start to the week.” Canadian Show Jumping Championships by Sarah O’Neil (left) of Henry Equestrian and Karen Hendry Ouellette of Equestrian Canada.

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 3 For the second year in a row, Millar took the reserve Canadian Championship title, this time with Truman. In 2017, she won her first Canadian Championship title with Heros before the pair finished runner-up in 2018.

Sam Walker, 17, of Nobleton, ON, finished third overall after jumping clear in both rounds on Saturday night riding Coralissa for owner MarBill Hill Farm. Millar’s older brother, Jonathon Millar, 45, also of Perth, ON, finished fourth in the final standings riding Daveau owned by the Millar family’s Millar Brooke Farm.

SIERRA MARK NAMED 2019 Cealy Tetley NATIONAL JUNIOR/AMATEUR CHAMPION

Sierra Mark of Augusta, ON, proved consistency was the key when she captured the 2019 National 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumping Championship, presented by Dominion Regalia, on Sunday, November 3.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Mark of the win aboard Heatwave 3E, her 16-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare sired by Jamestown. “It’s very exciting! This is my sixth year at The Royal with her, and to come here and put in three consistent rounds which eventually got us the championship is incredible.”

A total of 22 competitors contested this year’s National Junior/ Amateur Championships with each of the three classes comprising the division won by three different riders. In the opening phase Sierra Mark and Heat Wave 3E captured the 2019 National 1.40m Junior/ held Saturday, the $2,500 1.40m Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake, Amateur Championship title. Charlotte McLaughlin of Ottawa, ON, ultimately prevailed riding Dublin, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding owned by Millar Cealy Tetley Brooke Farm. Kendra Martenfeld of Schomberg, ON, took second riding Koning Boudewijn while Susan Horn of Bolton, ON, placed third with Chacca Keeps II. Mark and Heat Wave 3E had the fastest time in the jump-off, but a rail down at the final fence placed the pair fourth.

Riders returned to the Coca-Cola Coliseum on Sunday morning for the $2,500 1.40m Junior/Amateur Speed Stake. Ashley McInnis of Barrie, ON, skillfully navigated Mr M over the course in a time of 61.25 seconds to take the win over Chanelle Sjolander of Oakville, ON, who stopped the clock in 61.67 seconds riding Cuenta Atras. Martenfeld placed third, and Horn took fourth place while Mark stayed in the race for the championship title with a fifth-place finish.

On Sunday afternoon, Christine Carlsen of King, ON, and Alexandra Millar of Flesherton, ON, were the only two jump-off contenders for the $10,000 1.40m Junior/Amateur Royal Stake. Carlsen, 20, emerged as the winner riding Monchiniquie, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cristo x Coriano) owned by Valhalla Equestrian, after Millar had a rail with Vampyr van de Rib. With the fastest four-fault effort in the opening round, Mark and Heat Wave 3E placed third, ultimately giving them enough points to claim the championship title while Martenfeld took the reserve championship title.

“I slept in my stall all week, and here we are,” said Mark, who was presented with her awards by the Equestrian Canada (EC) Jumping Committee in memory of Andre Bollinger. “You don’t Kendra Martenfeld took home the National 1.40m Junior/Amateur Reserve need all the frills and whistles to become champion. This is my Championship title riding Koning Boudewijn Olympics. This is the pinnacle of my career, so I feel at peace now.”

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 4 APTLY NAMED ROYAL WINS Ben Radvanyi Photography AT THE ROYAL WITH TATUM HORAN

Victory in the $5,000 MarBill Hill Farm Royal Pony Jumper Final, as well as the overall MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper Championship title, went to Tatum Horan of Oakville, ON, and the aptly named Royal.

Having won the $2,500 MarBill Hill Farm Royal Pony Jumper Stake earlier in the day, Horan and Royal, a 14-year-old Selle Français gelding, were one of 16 entries to contest Sunday’s third and final class of the Royal Pony Jumper division. A fault-free first round Tatum Horan and Royal claimed the MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper secured Horan and Royal’s place in the five-horse jump-off, and Championship title. another clear ride over course designer Michel Vaillancourt’s jump- off track clinched victory for the pair.

With two wins in the division, as well as a sixth-place finish in the $2,500 Royal Pony Jumper Welcome, Horan and Royal claimed the MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper Championship. Horan was also presented with the Jane Hunter Sportsmanship Award.

“I’m so grateful for all the hard work that my coaches and I have put into this pony, and it means a lot to me,” said Horan, who trains with Shara Pavan and has been competing at The Royal for the past three years. “It shows how hard you’ve worked all season to get here. It’s a special show to have at the end of the season.”

Charis Boland of Kemptville, ON, and Pocket Change, owned by Debbie Williams, took home the reserve championship title in the MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper Championship division, helped by a second place finish in the $5,000 MarBill Hill Farm Royal Pony Jumper Final.

KRISTJAN GOOD AND Ben Radvanyi Photography CHANTILLY LACE TOP $15,000 BRAEBURN FARMS HUNTER DERBY

Kristjan Good of Campbellville, ON, rode Chantilly Lace to the win in the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby on Sunday afternoon. When Good and the eight-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare entered the Coca-Cola Coliseum, the 2018 defending champion, Isabelle Lapierre of Levis, QC, had just taken over the top spot with an overall score of 102, including handy and high-option bonus points, aboard Lamaze OBF, owned by Margot Clarke-Smith.

Lapierre’s lead was short-lived however, as Good and Chantilly Lace, owned by Shannon Walter, moved into the top spot with a total score of 103 over the course designed by Meaghan Rawlins of Victoria, BC, and left Lapierre in second. Finishing third with a Kristjan Good and Chantilly Lace topped the $15,000 Braeburn Farms score of 95 was Margaret “Muffie” Guthrie of Guelph, ON, riding Hunter Derby. Damiro van ter Notelaere, owned by Knightwood Stables.

“Chantilly Lace was very, very handy,” said Good, 31, of his first hunter derby win at The Royal. “She always tries for you, and nothing really ever fazes her. She’s just fun all around.”

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 5 LEANNA LAZZARI WINS Ben Radvanyi Photography $25,000 KNIGHTWOOD HUNTER DERBY

Junior competitor Leanna Lazzari, 18, of Mississauga, ON, claimed victory in the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby on Tuesday evening. Lazzari and UFO de Nisi, her 11-year-old Selle Français gelding, topped the 21-horse starting field with an overall score of 101, including a base score of 84 coupled with seven handy bonus points and 10 high-option bonus points.

“To win against a lot of professionals and some of the best hunter Junior competitor Leanna Lazzari and UFO de Nisi on their way to victory riders in the country feels pretty amazing!” said Lazzari, a regular in the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby. competitor in the equitation divisions who decided to try competing in the Canadian Hunter Derby Series this year with UFO de Nisi. Ben Radvanyi Photography

“I thought we would do a derby one week for fun, and then we kept doing them because we had so much fun!” said Lazzari, who trains with Lois and Peter Mulligan and their daughter, Francesca, at Stoney Fields in Schomberg, ON. “He really excels at them. Doing the derbies has been a great experience for both of us. He’s so brave, so that’s a class that he can really excel in. It’s taught us a lot of things, and it helps us a lot in the equitation ring as well.”

Lazzari was presented with the Paddy Ann Burns Trophy in honour of her victory and was also recognized as the highest-scoring junior or amateur rider. Concluding a successful junior career, Lazzari and UFO de Nisi also enjoyed a top-four finish in the Jump Canada Medal National Final at this year’s Royal Horse Show.

Coming just shy of catching Lazzari and UFO de Nisi was Isabelle Leanna Lazzari and UFO de Nisi were presented as the winners of the Lapierre of Levis, QC, who earned an overall score of 100.5 to $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby by Jeff Brandmaier and his daughter, Liza Jean. take second aboard Lamaze OBF, named for 2008 Canadian Olympic champion, Eric Lamaze. Having also finished second in the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby held one day earlier, Ben Radvanyi Photography Lapierre and Lamaze OBF, an eight-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, were named the overall 2019 Canadian Hunter Derby Champions and were presented with the Lorna Jean Guthrie Challenge Trophy.

The Eastern and Western Canadian Hunter Derby Series Champions were also recognized on Tuesday evening. Kristjan Good of Campbellville, ON, and Salvo RSF, owned by Cydney Pavan, received the Prince of Thieves Trophy, presented by the Jumping Committee of Equestrian Canada, as the Eastern Canadian Hunter Derby Champions. The $10,000 Represent the West Championship, also presented by the Jumping Committee of Equestrian Canada, was awarded to Miranda Lebeuf of Cobble Hill, BC, and her own Carivero, as the Western Canadian Hunter Derby Champions.

Isabelle Lapierre and Lamaze OBF were named the overall 2019 Canadian Hunter Derby Champions after finishing second in both the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby and the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby.

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 6 SABRINA VON BUTTLAR Cealy Tetley WINS JUMP CANADA MEDAL NATIONAL FINAL

Sabrina Von Buttlar, 18, of Stouffville, ON, earned an emotional win in the Jump Canada Medal National Final to cap off her junior career at the Royal Horse Show. Riding her long-time partner, Cinco, Von Buttlar topped a starting field of 25 athletes who qualified to compete in Toronto from four regions across Canada (Atlantic, Ontario, Prairie, and British Columbia).

Von Buttlar’s ride to the top began in the jumping phase, which counted for 60% of the total score. Moving forward to the flat phase, which represented 40% of the total score, she and Cinco impressed the judges and were part of the top five invited back for additional testing. A foot-perfect performance in the final test, which asked riders to complete a shortened course while demonstrating their ability to jump from the trot and counter-canter, Sabrina Von Buttlar, 18, of Stouffville, ON, won the Jump Canada Medal sealed the deal for Von Buttlar. National Final riding Cinco.

“To win an equitation final is something that I’ve dreamed about Cealy Tetley ever since I was little,” said Von Buttlar, who trains with Erynn Ballard and Katie Uloth of Looking Back Farm. “There were years where the Final didn’t really go how we planned, but we finished up on a really good note for my last show as a junior.

“Cinco is a horse I’ve had for a long time,” she continued. “He’s been a really big constant in my life and is super special to me, so to win with him makes it even more special.”

As the 2019 Jump Canada Medal National Champion, Von Buttlar was awarded the Leslie P. Usherwood Memorial Trophy and received a signature jacket from the Equestrian Canada (EC) Jumping Committee.

Natalie Popham, 16, of Victoria, BC, earned second place aboard Sabrina Von Buttlar was presented with the Leslie P. Usherwood Memorial Cheers, a Canadian Warmblood gelding owned by Ella Cole. Trophy and received a jacket and cooler donated by the Jumping Abigail Fox of Fonthill, ON, rounded out the top three riding her Committee of Equestrian Canada. Canadian Warmblood mare, Revival.

RAYNE DUBOIS REIGNS Jump Media SUPREME IN RUNNING FOX CET MEDAL NATIONAL FINAL

Following two days and three rounds of stiff competition, Rayne Dubois, 19, of Ottawa, ON, emerged victorious in her Royal Horse Show debut to win the 2019 Running Fox CET Medal National Final title.

Riding Ferraro K, a 17-year-old grey Danish Warmblood gelding owned by the Brookstreet Stables Corporation, Dubois bested a field of 16 up-and-coming athletes who qualified from four regions across Canada (Atlantic, Ontario, Prairies, and British Columbia). In her Royal Horse Show debut, Rayne Dubois won the Running Fox CET Medal National Final aboard Ferraro K. “This is my first time at The Royal and it’s so surreal,” said Dubois,

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 7 who was a student at the Ian Millar School of Horsemanship Cealy Tetley at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON, before moving to Millar Brooke Farm in Perth, ON, earlier this year to train with Ian Millar, Jonathon Millar, and Kelly Soleau-Millar. “It’s been an incredible opportunity from start to finish.”

Dubois first entered the Coca-Cola Coliseum on Wednesday for the flat and gymnastic phase where she earned a score of 87, placing her second behind Ellah Dubeau-Kielty, 16, of Burlington, ON, who scored 89 riding Jalisco for owner Katy Hughes. Returning on Thursday for the jumping phase, Dubois earned another score of 87 to secure her spot among the ‘final four’ called back for additional testing.

Leading after the first two phases, Dubois had the advantage of going last and laid down an impressive test, which included jumping from the trot, counter-canter, and hand gallop, to secure the title. Rayne Dubois, pictured on Ferraro K, was presented as the winner of the “This is something I’ve been working for all year long,” said Dubois. Running Fox CET Medal National Final. From left to right: Debra Smith of “This was our last show to wrap up the season and it was a really Running Fox; 2018 CET Medal National Champion Sam Walker; trainers good way to finish up. I’m super happy.” Ian Millar, Kelly Soleau-Millar, and Jonathon Millar; and Karen Hendry- Ouellette of Equestrian Canada. Finishing second overall was Mikayla Brabant, 18, of Chestermere, AB, paired with Cortofino, an eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Brabant Holdings Inc. Sitting in third place coming into the final testing, Brabant moved up into second following an impressive performance highlighted by a flawless jump from the hand gallop.

Ludovic Richer, 19, of Montreal, QC, took third place riding W General vd Lindehoeve Z, his 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, while Dubeau-Kielty rounded out the top four.

As the Running Fox CET Medal National Final winner, Dubois was presented with the W. Douglas Hood Memorial Trophy, as well as a new Luc Childeric saddle from Debra Smith of Running Fox. The title sponsor of the CET Medal National Final for over 20 years, Running Fox also provided coolers to the top eight finishers, as well as halters to every finalist.

BARBARA RUZISKA RIDES Jump Media TO UNDER 25 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

Barbara Ruziska, 23, of Ijamsville, MD, crossed the border to claim the Under 25 National Show Jumping Championship title on the final Saturday of the Royal Horse Show.

A total of 16 athletes under the age of 25 contested this year’s national championships. At the close of the two-phase $25,000 U25 National Championship, presented by Uplands, Ruziska took the title while Lexi Ray, 20, went home to Campbellville, ON, with reserve championship honours.

Held over two days, Thursday and Saturday, Ruziska had a rough start in the $12,500 Alfred Rogers Under 25 National Championship Round 1 over Michel Vaillancourt’s course. However, she and her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Barbara Ruziska was named the Under 25 National Show Jumping Dynamite, returned to the Coca-Cola Coliseum on Saturday to Champion at this year’s Royal Horse Show. win the $12,500 Alfred Rogers Under 25 National Championship Round 2. With only two entries qualifying for the jump-off, Ruziska’s four-fault performance gave her the win over Nora Gray, 24, of Owen Sound, ON, who incurred eight faults in the jump-off riding Dior.

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 8 “I’ve been coming to Canada for a couple of years now, and it’s Jump Media always been a dream of mine to come out to this awesome show,” said Ruziska, who has been training with Canadian Show Jumping Team member, Erynn Ballard, for the past three years. “It’s really exciting to be able to make my mark here.”

As the Under 25 National Champion, Ruziska received a saddle provided by Antarès Sellier, and a cooler presented by the Equestrian Canada (EC) Jumping Committee. In addition, prize money and awards were generously donated by the Uplands Charitable Foundation in memory of the late Alfred Rogers.

With a win in the $12,500 Alfred Rogers U25 Championship Round 1 riding Jewel 8, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare she acquired from Canadian Olympic Champion, Eric Lamaze, Ray took home the Reserve Championship title. Lexi Ray of Campbellville, ON, earned the Reserve Champion title in the Under 25 National Show Jumping Championship riding Jewel 8.

ERIC LAMAZE MAKES Jump Media TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE ROYAL

It was all anyone could talk about during this year’s Royal Horse Show - Eric Lamaze’s triumphant return home to Toronto for this year’s Royal! The 2008 Olympic champion made his presence felt straight out of the gate by winning the first class of the international show jumping division, the $37,000 McKee Family International Challenge, on Wednesday, November 6. Riding his 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Fine Lady 5, Lamaze rocketed to the top of the leaderboard, taking victory in the speed class with a time of 47.90 seconds to edge out fellow Canadian, Erynn Ballard, who stopped the clock in 49.43 seconds riding Judge hof ter Zeedycke.

“I said if I ever come back to The Royal, it’s going to be to win!” said Lamaze, 51, who brought his two top horses, Fine Lady 5 and Chacco Kid. “If I’m going to be on my home ground, I wanted to bring the best.”

Lamaze grew up competing at the annual event in his early career. Since relocating his training base to Europe in 2006, he has only returned to The Royal on two occasions with the last one being in 2011.

After winning the first class, Lamaze continued to dominate the international show jumping division with top placings in all six classes he contested. He and Fine Lady 5 came oh-so-close to capturing two more wins, settling for second in Thursday’s featured event, the $85,000 Big Ben International Challenge, as well as Friday night’s $50,000 Canadian Open International Challenge. At the end of the week, it was no surprise that Lamaze took home the Leading International Rider and Leading Canadian Rider Fans were thrilled to see Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 in action at the titles, both presented by GroupBy, while Fine Lady 5 received the Royal Horse Show. Leading Canadian Horse Award, presented by Lothlorien.

Prior to the $85,000 Big Ben International Challenge, a special ceremony was held to honour Ian Millar’s retirement from international team competition. Speaking to a packed house in the Coca-Cola Coliseum, Lamaze gave a heartfelt tribute to the 10-time Canadian Olympian, who he has ridden alongside on numerous occasions over the past three decades. Unquestionably the two most successful

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 9 Jump Media Ben Radvanyi Photography

Eric Lamaze held an open question and answer session with fans, Eric Lamaze (center) receives the Leading Canadian Horse Award, moderated by Adam Cromarty, before signing autographs. presented by Lothlorien, for Fine Lady 5 from John and Ariel Grange. show jumping athletes that Canada has ever produced, Lamaze and Millar are united in friendship by a common goal – representing their country and their team to the best of their abilities.

Lamaze also held a special question and answer session, open to the public, on Friday evening, which was followed by an autograph signing session presented by his saddle sponsor, Bruno Delgrange. No questions were off-limits, and Lamaze spoke openly about the difficult challenges he has faced, both in his career and personal life, and how he has managed to overcome them. Emotional, poignant, and honest, all in attendance were blown away by his candor and left having had a true glimpse into the Olympic champion’s incredible life story.

ATTENTION TALENT ID ATHLETES!

With the New Year quickly approaching, the Jumping Committee of Equestrian Canada is seeking expressions of interest from athletes wishing to be considered for the following competitions:

$25,000 Hermes Under 25 Team Event FEI Children, Junior, and Young Rider Nations’ Cups Winter Equestrian Festival Deeridge Farms Wellington, Florida Wellington, Florida January 28 – February 2, 2020 February 11-16, 2020

The FEI competition schedules for these events will be posted on the FEI website in the coming weeks. Click here to search for either event.

Those wishing to be considered for team selection should send an email to [email protected] providing the name of the athlete, potential horse(s) and corresponding FEI passport number(s), and identify which competitions they would like to be considered for. The deadline to declare expressions of interest is Friday, December 20, at 12 noon ET.

For more information about these competitions and the Talent ID program, contact Dayton Gorsline, Talent ID Advisor, at [email protected]. For questions regarding the administrative process, email [email protected].

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 10 SUCCESS STORIES

Shawn McMillen Photography

SAM WALKER Sam Walker, 17, of Nobleton, ON, added victory in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Finals to his impressive list of major equitation wins on Saturday, October 26, at WIHS in Washington, D.C. Walker, who topped both the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in the U.S. and the Running Fox CET Medal National Final on home ground in Toronto in 2018, became the first Canadian to win the prestigious WIHS Equitation Finals after leading from beginning to end of the three-phase class aboard Waldo. Walker was one of 40 junior competitors who first contested Friday’s hunter phase before completing a jumper phase on Saturday afternoon. Following that, the top 10 riders returned on Saturday night for a final work-off, which included swapping horses. Walker set the tone early in the class with Waldo, a 12-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Missy Clark and North Run. The judging panel of Chance Arakelian, Sue Ashe, Timmy Kees, and Laura Kraut awarded Walker a score of 93 in the hunter round, giving him the win in the opening phase. In the jumper round, Walker earned the second-highest score, a 92, but retained his lead with an overall total of 185 points. Ava Stearns, who won the jumper phase with a score of 93.5, was hot on his heels with a combined total of 182.5 points. In the work-off, Walker and Stearns switched horses, with Walker being the last rider to return riding Stearns’ mount, Acer K. Earning a final score of 93, Walker clinched the victory with a 278 total over Stearns who finished runner-up with a final score of 269.5. For the win, Walker was presented with the WIHS Equitation Classic Trophy while Waldo, as the winning horse, was awarded the Lugano Memorial Trophy.

TOKYO CALLING!

Equestrian Canada has released its show jumping criteria for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Full criteria are available here. Athletes interested in participating in the Tokyo Olympics must declare their interest using the EC online athlete portal at https://licence.equestrian.ca/gamesdb/login by Monday, December 2.

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 11 LONGINES WORLD RIDER RANKINGS TOP 20 CANADIAN RIDERS as of October 31, 2019

49. Mario Deslauriers 1775 353. Sam Walker 587 61. Eric Lamaze 1684 366. Jim Ifko 568 86. Erynn Ballard 1483 408. Susan Horn 495 135. Tiffany Foster 1228 440. Lisa Carlsen 460 153. Amy Millar 1152 451. Jonathon Millar 445 181. Nicole Walker 1030 458. Keean White 440 220. Beth Underhill 890 482. Hyde Moffatt 418 228. Vanessa Mannix 865 495. Kara Chad 408 285. Ali Ramsay 725 516. Rachel Cornacchia 385 346. Jill Henselwood 595 523. Kyle Timm 380

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

EDITORIAL BOARD Karen Hendry-Ouellette (ex-officio), Pamela Law, John Taylor, Jennifer Ward (Editor), and Nancy Wetmore

CONTRIBUTORS Pam Law, Emily Riden, and Jennifer Ward

EC STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Karen Hendry-Ouellette

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michelle C. Dunn, Jump Media, Shawn McMillen Photography, Ben Radvanyi Photography, and Cealy Tetley

LAY-OUT AND DESIGN Starting Gate Communications Inc.

PUBLISHER Equestrian Canada

TRANSLATION Pas de deux Communications

Jump is the committee of Equestrian Canada responsible for all hunter, hunter equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. For more information regarding jumping programs and activities, visit: www.equestrian.ca/sport/jumping.

NOVEMBER 2019 THE WARM-UP RING 12