Farlinger wins twice at Summer Classic while Caledon Equestrian Park celebrates Canada 150 in style

Orangeville’s Kim Farlinger and Sher-Al Farm’s Stanley Stone claimed both the Open Welcome and the Grand Prix during the Summer Classic at Caledon Equestrian Park between June 28 to July 2.

Farlinger advanced to the jump-off with six others on Sunday (July 2) out of a starting field of 24 in the $25,000 Grand Prix – Presented by Vestrum Canada.

Farlinger and Stanley Stone — a 12-year-old Warmblood Gelding — were slotted third in the second and the pair posted a time of 40.61 seconds. No one would come close before or after.

Jacob Bell of Vestrum Canada presenting Kim Farlinger and her mount Stanley Stone the red rosette for their win of the $25,000 Grand Prix presented by Vestrum Canada

Photo Credit: Mackenzie Clark for Ben Radvanyi Photography

“It was a great week for sure for me and for Stanley, he was really jumping fantastically well in both of the classes. He’s such a fast horse and always reliable in the jump-off knowing he’s still going to try to miss the rails even when you’re going full speed,” said Farlinger.

“I had a better order in Friday’s (Open Welcome), so I went really fast today in the jump-off knowing there were some fast riders behind me and it paid off. I think they were trying to chase Stanley and tripped over a couple.”

Mexican course designer Ana Catalina Harris Cruz put together a challenging jump-off, which only saw two of seven competitors go clear. Guelph Ontario’s Jeff Brandmaier and Jenny van het Waterblok were the other rider-horse combo to go clear, placing far behind Farlinger and Stanley Stone in second with a clear round of 49.33.

Kim Farlinger aboard Stanley Stone navigating the Course of the $25,000 Grand Prix presented by Vestrum Canada. Photo credit: Mackenzie Clark for Ben Radvanyi Photography

“It was a tricky jump-off. A lot of turning, especially at the beginning. The first three jumps were kind of in a circle and so it’s hard to really get speed going when you have to turn so much. I think that caught a lot of the horses where they were trying to get going on the gallop and the jumps were coming up so quickly… But Stanley, he’s so quick and so catty even off the turn that you can still gallop him even around the corners,” added Farlinger.

Tottenham’s Erynn Ballard took third and fourth in the class riding EDISON P and BELLA DONNA, respectively.

Friday (June 30) saw Farlinger and Stanley Stone start off the weekend with a win the first big-money class of the show in the $10,000 Open Welcome — Presented by Horseflight.

Kim Farlinger and Stanley Stone victory galloping for their win of the $10,000 Open Welcome presented by Horseflight. Photo credit: Mackenzie Clark for Ben Radvanyi Photography

The pair topped an impressive starting field of 31, beating out Sam Pegg and Shaia de Macheco for the red ribbon in the jump-off. Ballard also took home third and fourth in that class, this time riding EDISON P and Royal du Rouet, respectively.

There was no shortage of action in the hunter rings at the 2017 edition of the Summer Classic either, with a number notable sponsored classes on the five-day schedule.

Back at the park last week was the LongRun TB Hunter Classic Series’ EAST/WEST Challenge, featuring retired thoroughbreds competing in a new career in the hunter ring. Horses competing in the series on both the east and west coasts accumulate points throughout the season, with the leader at season’s end earning a $500 bonus provided by Chiefswood Aftercare.

Emma Kestle and her mount Soul Seeker from Stratford, Ont. claimed top prize in Saturday’s $2,000 TB Hunter Challenge — Presented by Nobleton Feed Mill and the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA).

Catherine Martin of Exclusively Equine Gifts & Decor along with Donna Ralph of LongRun present Emma Kestle and her mount Soul Seeker for the win of the $2000 Thoroughbred Hunter Challenge presented by Nobleton Feed Mill and the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA). Photo credit: Mackenzie Clark for Ben Radvanyi Photography

Cindy Phillips-Wood and Northolt took second with Daniella McLean and Eighth Wonder of the World claiming third.

The OHJA held its annual Pony Power Handy Hunter small, medium and large divisions, with the top four in each class punching their tickets to the OHJA Pony Power Finals at the Autumn Classic, running Sept. 13-17 at Caledon Equestrian Park.

Aimee Rotman and Nantucket placed first in the Large Pony Power Division, while Lauren Sauriol and Dream Maker won the Medium Pony Power leg. Elizabeth Parrish and Alexandria’s Short Notice claimed the red ribbon in the Small Pony Power Division. Visit caledonequestrianpark.com to view a full list of results and qualifiers.

The OHJA also hosted the $4,000 OHJA Junior Amateur Handy Hunter Challenge on Sunday, which saw Ella Davison and Sydney Jefferson’s Socialite beat out a field of 30 with a high score of 88 for the win.