Sarah Long and Erynn Ballard impress at Caledon Equestrian Park's Equestrian Festival
Another exciting week of show jumping action at Caledon Equestrian Park is in the books, with Ontario riders Sarah Long and Erynn Ballard both securing big wins during the park's Equestrian Festival July 25-29.
Ballard and Lauren Hough-owned Joblesse were victorious in Sunday's (July 29) $15,000 Modified Grand Prix - presented by Horseflight.
Erynn ballard aboard Joblesse accepting awards for their win of the $15,000 Modified Grand Prix presented by Horseflight. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography.
Horseflight, based in New Jersey, is an industry leader in domestic and international horse shipping.
Joblesse and Ballard, who hails from Tottenham, bested a starting field of 13 competitors for the win on Canadian course designer, Jennifer Ferguson's Grand Prix track. Hugh Graham and his mount Airborne placed second after a tight jump-off, with Sam Pegg placing third riding Ten-Sixty Stables & Co's Hilma.
Erynn Ballard of Tottenham and Joblesse Negotiating the Course.
On Friday (July 27), neither Ballard and Joblesse, nor Pegg and Hilma could catch Newmarket's Sarah Long and Warnike in Friday's $10,000 Open Welcome. Warnike, owned by Lexi Mulkey, and Long posted an impressive performance in the class, beating out 14 starting entries for their first big win of the season at CEP. Pegg and Ballard placed second and third, respectively, in that class.
Warnike and Sarah Long in awards presentations for the $10,000 Open Welcome at Equestrian Festival. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography.
Not to be outdone, the hunter rings featured a number of impressive performances last week as well.
Sophie Leblanc and Virtuoso S took home the red ribbon in Saturday's TRM $3,000 Good as Gold Junior/Amateur 3'3/3'6 Hunter Classic. Jalisco and Francesca Nervick were second, with Anna Kennedy and her ride Incognito B rounding out the top-three finishers.
Greenhawk representative, Rebecca Roy is on site to present Sophie Leblanc and Virtuoso S with their winning awards for the TRM Good as Gold Junior/Amateur 3'3/3'6 Hunter Classic. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography.
New to the park this year and premiering at the Equestrian Festival was the OHJA Young Hunter Development Series.
The three-class division saw Sarah Barker and Cheers start things off with a win Thursday (July 26) in the OHJA Young Horse Development Model class. Kristjan Good and Noir de Noir, and Cathy Inch and Land of Elis were second and third, respectively.
Barker and Good were also first in second in Under Saddle leg of the contest. West Star and Keith Reid were third in that class.
Sarah Barker and Cheers win the OHJA YOung Horse Development Model. Di Langmuir of the OHJA presents awards.PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography.
Cheers and Sarah Barker winning the OHJA Young Horse Development Under Saddle Class. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography.
Miranda Travers-Cavill and Cadfael closed out the OHJA Young Horse Development Classes with a win in the over fences class, with Good again claiming second place, and Inch and Land of Elis heading home with the white ribbon in third.
Cadfael owner Stephanie Inglis accepts awards from OHJA representative Di Langmuir for Miranda Travers-Cavill's win of the OHJA Young Horse Development Over Fences Class.PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography.
The fun wasn't confined to the competition ring last week, with renowned Alton Mill Arts Centre artist, Mark Grice, hosting a special painting party at the park on Saturday evening.
Caledon Equestrian Park would also like to welcome and thank new sponsor HANSBO SPORT, who generously sponsored the 1.25-metre division last week.
HANSBO SPORT ICM wraps, rugs, boots, saddle pads and harnesses work by generating their own FIR radiation, giving the horse a greater feeling of wellbeing, helping to prevent injuries, and increase the speed of healing. Visit www.hansbosportna.com for more info.
Coming up next at Caledon Equestrian Park is the Summer Festival, running this week between July 31 and Aug. 5. Classes to look for on the schedule include the $10,000 Open Welcome - Presented by McKee-Pownall Equine Services on Thursday, the $1,500 LongRun TB Hunter Challenge on Saturday, and the OHJA's annual and always-exciting Super Sunday classes.
Don't forget about Date Night at the Park on Tuesday (July 31). The third of four installments of the event will feature Harry and Snowman, a riveting 2015 documentary about Harry DeLeyer and his famed mount that he saved from slaughter only to capture show jumping's triple crown in the late 1950s.
The film will be shown on the big screen in Grand Prix ring and admission is only $2. Refreshments are available at the main pavilion.
Visit www.caledonequestrianpark.com for a full schedule of events and previous show results.
