46/ SEPTEMBER 2011 THE RIDER Elizabeth Gingras and Kilimanjaro Climb to Top in Talent Squad


Ottawa, Ontario – Elizabeth Gingras and Kilimanjaro climbed to the top of the Talent Squad competition held Thurs- day, August 18, at the National Capital Show Jumping Tourna- ments at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON. Gingras of Edmonton, AB, and Kilimanjaro were one of three horse-rider combinations to jump clear over the challeng- ing track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. First back in the jump-off, Gingras and Kiliman- jaro, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, again jumped clear in a time of 49.97 seconds to put pressure on the two riders that followed. Margie Gayford of Sharon, ON, was the next rider on the grand prix field with Calando Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Paddy Ann Burns. The pair had the last fence down on course, stopping


the clock in 50.19 seconds to eventually finish third.


off.”


Sarah Johnstone of Aurora, ON, was the final competitor in the jump-off. She and Leonidas have been hot favourites at this year’s National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, winning the $10,000 Modified Grand Prix on Saturday, August 13, and the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix on Sunday, August 14. Johnstone guided Leonidas, a 14-year-old Hannoverian geld- ing owned by Trish Crang, through the course in 49.93 sec- onds, the fastest time of the day. However, another win was not in the cards as the pair had the first fence down to finish second while Gingras scored the victory with Kilimanjaro.


“He was amazing, abso- lutely amazing,” said Gingras of the horse owned by Kathryn Lefebvre of Stittsville, ON. “He jumped his heart out in both rounds. He always tries his hardest, and today it really paid


Gingras has only been rid- ing Kilimanjaro for a few short months.


“He’s for sale and his owner needed someone to get him into the ring,” explained Gingras. “I get along really well with the horse and I’m always game to ride anything, especially if it helps me improve my own riding.”


The 29-year-old has been training with 2008 Olympic team silver medalist Jill Hensel- wood for the past two years. Despite living in Edmonton where she works as a riding instructor, Gingras keeps her own horses at Henselwood’s Juniper Farms in Oxford Mills, ON.


“It’s certainly a very long commute,” laughed Gingras, who meets her coach at compe- titions. “I love Jill so much and I really respect her. Her own results speak for themselves and I am very grateful to have such a wonderful person on my side. It makes me want to hop on a plane and fly out here more often.”


Gingras won’t be compet- ing during the rest of the National Capital Tourna- ments. In fact, she won’t even be in the province. “I fly back to Alberta on Friday,” she explained. “I


“Elizabeth Gingras of Edmonton, AB, riding Kilimanjaro topped the Talent Squad competition held Thursday, August 18, at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments in Ottawa, ON.” Photo Credit – RedRibbonPhotography.com


competed here last week, then flew back to Alberta for Mon- day and Tuesday and was back here to compete today. I would have loved to stay for the rest of the week after this win, but I have students competing at a show in Calgary and I really need to be there. Not to men- tion that it will be great to see my husband!”


The newlywed tied the knot in May and has spent less than a week with her new hus-


band since then.


“He knew I was horse crazy when he met me,” she said. “He knows it’s my pas- sion and that I would be very depressed if I wasn’t riding so he told me right from the start ‘go for it, I’ll support you.’ I have been very lucky to have the kind of support I do, both from him and from my parents.” Other winners on Thursday included Francois Lamontagne of St. Eustache, QC, who won


The National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments is in its second and final week at the Nepean National Equestrian Park. Running August 17 to 21, the second week of competition sees two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela setting the tracks in the grand prix field. Competi- tion highlights include the $10,000 Ottawa Rental & Sup- ply Ltd. Open Welcome on Fri- day, August 19, and the thrilling $10,000 ATCO Jumping Derby on Saturday, August 20. The grand finale is Sunday’s $75,000 CSI** Brookstreet Grand Prix, sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federa- tion (FEI).


Approximately 500 horses will compete over the two weeks of competition at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, conveniently located at the 417 Queensway and Moodie Drive.


For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament, please visit www.hayesco.ca.


TC Youth in the Spotlight Award Equine Veterinarians


13985 Ilderton Rd, Ilderton, ON N0M 2A0 Tel: 519-666-0911 Fax: 519-666-3997


website: ildertonequineservices.ca e-mail: ildertonequineservices@bellnet.ca


TC Youth is proud to announce Sophie Dean-Potter, age 13, as our second recipient of the TC Youth in the Spotlight Award, sponsored by Equestrian Factory Outlet!


Sophie has been riding and taking lessons since she was five years old. Both her parents are equine vets so she certainly was on horses much earlier than five and was destined to be rider. Sophie started competing in local schooling shows but soon became interested in eventing and has competed there for the past three years. Although dressage is a big portion of eventing, it wasn’t until the fall of 2010 that Sophie began solely training in dressage - and she has fallen hard. Sophie has always strived to


do her best in everything she does even at her young age. She is dedicated and inde- pendent. No help from Mom needed here! She loves the challenge dressage gives her and has an appreciation for just how hard these riders work to achieve their goals. Sophie’s current partner is a large pony named Obsidian who is a 16-year- old Welsh Cob cross. Obie is an absolute character! He was an A circuit hunter before Sophie owned him and has a repu- tation for being quite cheeky. He has taught Sophie so much but has not handed anything over to her. She needs to work for everything they do together. He is


known in the barn as the “grump”, but we know it’s just an act!


Sophie rides five to six days per week and would like to ride eight days a week if only school and family time wouldn’t get in the way! Sophie is training with her coach Karin Davis twice a week and still takes lessons with her eventing coach, Kirstie Freitag, weekly to keep up with her jumping.


The TC Youth in the Spotlight award has been developed to honor deserving youth for their outstanding contribution to the dressage commu- nity through volunteer work, their own accomplishments and successes and overall exceptional attitude.


For more information, including application forms for this award, please visit www.torontocadora.com


Championships, World Equestrian Games, Rolex and the Olympics, Sophie feels inspired to reach for the stars. She knows her partnership with Obie won’t last forever but right now she can’t imagine riding anyone else and is completely caught up in the moment with her best friend. Sophie and Obie had a successful showing at the July 2011 Palgrave Dressage Festival, earning two first place ribbons in the FEI Pony divi- sion. In acknowledgment of receiv- ing this award Sophie will be given a gift certificate and a beautiful jacket from Equestrian Factory Outlet! Congratulations Sophie!


the 1.35m competition riding Unik Circa while Jeff Brand- maier won the Seven and Eight- Year-Old Young Horse compe- tition aboard Damiro van ter Notelaere, a Belgian-bred geld- ing owned by Knightwood Sta- bles of Guelph, ON.


In spite of all her time spent in the barn Sophie remains a top student and plans to go on to have a career working with animals, big and small. Due to the busy nature of her parent’s jobs, Sophie tries hard to have all of her school work completed before her par- ents are fin- ished work and ready to take her to the barn. Sophie takes her riding very seriously and constantly strives to better herself. After watching things like the North American Junior and Young Rider


*Parts of Sophie’s biography contributed by family friend Jennifer Lorimer. Photo credit: Sue Pallotta


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