MARCH/APRIL 2012 THE RIDER /53 One-Two Punch in NARG Grants


Orangeville, Ontario – Well-known in the sport of show jumping, the Hayes family of Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, had two reasons to be proud when the North American Riders Group (NARG) announced its two recipients of the inaugural Riders’ Grant. Winner Sarah Johnstone and runner-up Kaitlin Campbell both have close ties to the Hayes family. NARG received 40 applications for the inaugu-


ent riding their horses. In 2006, she joined an elite list of riders who have won both the CET Medal Final and the Jump Canada Medal Final at Toronto’s prestigious Royal Agricul- tural Winter Fair. The fol- lowing year, Johnstone made her debut at the 2007 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Champi- onship, finishing seventh individually.


In 2011, Johnstone laid claim to her first FEI


together with her husband, Johan Letimonier, operates North Point. “It has been rewarding to see their pro- gression, and it is gratify- ing for our family to have played such an important role in their success.” While Johnstone trained with the Hayes family, Campbell has an equally long history, hav- ing bought her first pony from the Hayes’. She is now excelling with Rocky W, a horse they imported


bell, have been customers of Jay and Shawn Hayes since 1981, investing in hunters ridden by Shawn Hayes as well as in show jumping prospects. They were behind Solid Gold, the horse Jay Hayes rode in his Nations’ Cup debut, as well as Zucarlos, the grey stallion that carried Jay Hayes to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Since 1985, the Hayes’ have purchased their horses from Hans Horn, coach of the Dutch gold medal team at the 1992 Olympic Games. The long list of mounts that have come from the renowned Dutch trainer include Zucarlos, Flipper, Raven, and Diva, the mare that Jay Hayes rode at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as Lauren Hayes’ grand prix horses Avalanche and Emmanuelle. Leonidas and Starlet provided John- stone with valuable experi- ence at the top level of the sport while Rocky W has introduced Campbell to grand prix success. Both Leonidas and Rocky W are


“NARG Grant recipient Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W, a horse imported and developed by the Hayes family of Orangeville, Canada.” Photo Credit – © Mancini Photos 2012, www.manciniphotos.com


ral Riders’ Grant, designed to afford an emerging rider, dedicated to the sport of show jumping, an opportu- nity to achieve levels of performance they would not otherwise be able to attain. As the winner, Johnstone of Aurora, ON, receives a $15,000 grant towards her expenses as well as several other prizes while Campbell receives $5,000 as the runner-up. Johnstone began training with the Hayes family when she was 12 years old. As a working student for two-time Cana- dian Olympian Jay Hayes and coached by his daugh- ter, Lauren Hayes, John- stone was given the oppor- tunity to showcase her tal-


victory, riding Starlet to the win in the $32,000 CSI3* Open Welcome in Bromont, Quebec. Just two short weeks later, she won the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix in Ottawa, ON, riding Leonidas.


In the eight seasons she was based at the Hayes family’s North Ridge Farm in Orangeville, ON, John- stone developed through the equitation ranks to excel as a serious grand prix contender. Now 20 years of age, she is current- ly a short listed member of the Canadian Show Jump- ing Team.


“We have known both these girls since the time they rode ponies,” noted Lauren Hayes who,


and developed. Purchased as a seven-year-old in Hol- land, Rocky W was ridden to victory by Regan Hayes in the competitive High Junior-Amateur division at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair before being sold to Campbell in 2007. With Rocky W, Campbell moved up to the grand prix ranks in April of 2011 and quickly found herself in the winner’s cir- cle. The pair won the $25,000 Grand Prix in Lex- ington, Virginia, before a win in the $75,000 Grand Prix in Upperville, Vir- ginia, in June marked their biggest victory to date. Long-time family friends, Campbell’s par- ents, Pat and Don Camp-


Congratulations to Traverston Cob


One of Ontario Competitive Trail Riding founding members mount TRAVER- STON COB has reached a remarkable milestone in OCTRA’S mileage program. Cob as he is affectionately called, is a half arab / half welsh cob cross, born and bred in the Flesherton area.


Hilary Tolhurst bred her Welsh Cob mare Cwmfelen Haf to the arabian stud Diadar of Traverston Arabians (Evy Bowler) in 1989.


Cob was born in 1990 and as a young man was sold to one of OCTRA’S found- ing members, Nancy Beacon.


Fast forward to 2011 and the culmina- tion of his career miles amounts to a whop- ping 5000 AERC miles and 4000 OCTRA miles. A remarkable feat for any horse in a discipline that can see a horse lasting a short time due to the stress of competition. Today Cob still competes altho in a less mile per competition than the 100 miles in one day that he excelled in.


photo credit Wendy Webb Photography Hayes Family Delivers


“NARG grant recipient Sarah Johnstone riding Leonidas won the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix at the 2011 National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments in Ottawa, ON.” Photo Credit – RedRibbonPhotography.com


sired by Libero H, winner of the 1994 World Cup Final under Jos Lansink. “We are very proud to see such talented riders on our horses receive the funding needed to continue in the sport,” said Jay Hayes. With his trademark sense of humour, he then


added, “Now where do I apply for a grant?”


Show jumping is truly a family affair for Jay and Shawn Hayes and their three daughters, Ainsley, Regan, and Lauren, and son-in-law Johan Leti- monier. In addition to operating the training and


sales businesses North Ridge and North Point, the family-owned Hayes Co. produces numerous show jumping events including two to be held August 8–12 and August 15-19, 2012, in Orangeville, ON. For more information, please visit www.hayesco.ca.


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