Equestrian All Star Grand Prix

Saturday the 3rd, we spent the entire day at ScotiaBank Place.  Rachel and I received excellent tickets/day pass for the Equestrian All Star Weekend from my better half.  The arena where we normally see our Ottawa Senators play was converted to an indoor jumping arena for 24 competitors. I would love to know how they're going to get all the footing cleaned up and off the ice surface! One of the parking lots in back of the arena was converted to temporary stabling and a loading dock was converted to a temporary warm-up ring.

It started with the 11:00am qualifier, followed at 2:00pm by the SuperDogs which was an absolute riot and then the final show jumping at 7:00pm. Unfortunately, my camera was not allowed into the arena since the lenses are removable and considered "professional". The pictures I did manage were taken with my mobile phone. My apologies for the quality.

The course was very tight with 11 jumping efforts at 1.5M and higher. Among the world-class champions who competed were Olympians Jay Hayes, Beth Underhill, John Anderson, and 2008 Silver Medal winning Olympic Team members Mac Cone, Ian Miller and Jonathan Asselin.   Hyde Moffat was "miked" and gave his opinion on what the difficulties in the course might be.

There was a new generation of riders including Ian Millar's own family, Amy and Jonathan Millar, David Arcand and Paul Halpern from Quebec, Tamie Phillips of Alberta, Gary Brewster from British Columbia and Keean White and Yann Candele from Ontario. Other local favourites that competed included Kanata's Karen Sparkes (daughter of local hi-tech mogul Terry Mathews) and Lauren Hunkin of Kemptville.

Both show jumping phases were won by Yann Candele, a magnificent rider and friendly, quiet man. (Rachel had the benefit of sharing an aisle at the Ottawa show with Yann, his horses and grooms). Amy Miller took 2nd and Karen Cudmore 3rd.

                                                               

At the end of the competition, all the riders came back into the arena and went around the rails signing autographs and posing for pictures. What great PR for the sport of show jumping!

Angela Covert Lawrence & a fan