SEPTEMBER 2012 THE RIDER /49 Chesler’s On Her Game


Set in the dense farmland of Rockwood, Ontario new equestrian Angelstone International Show Jumping Tourna- ment was packed full of horses, free exhibitor parties with dancing to The Julian Taylor Band and a great selection of yummy food throughout day. Show manager, Keean White voiced too much was missing from the usual competition formats for the exhibitors and has embraced his motto, ‘for riders-by riders’, focusing on exact start times, lower fees, increased prize money, more sponsors, installation of Otto Sport footing in the main jumper ring and the ‘marquee grass hunter ring’ as well as a derby course fixed with natu- ral obstacles. In addition, he has launched a ‘Commitment to Educate’ scholarship essay contest award for those 17 and under dealing with personal struggles.


Mikala Chesler


2012 National Dressage Symposium


Don’t miss this educational opportunity with Lorraine MacDon- ald (FEI 4* Dressage Judge) and Markus Gribbe (Dressage Canada High Performance Technical Leader)


Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the 2012 National Dressage Symposium an exciting educational opportunity for the entire dressage community with FEI Dressage Judge, Lorraine Mac- Donald, and Dressage Canada High Performance Technical Leader, Markus Gribbe.


The focus of the 2012 Symposium will be Test Riding - Get a leg up on riding and understanding what the judges will be looking for with the FEI Dressage Tests in 2013 (FEI 5 Year Old to Grand Prix) Markus Gribbe, DC High Performance Technical Leader will warm up each rider for their test. Lorraine MacDonald will judge each test with a microphone for the audience. At the conclusion of the test Markus will work with the riders on any areas that need improvement based on the comments from Lorraine.


lowing locations: The 2012 National Dressage Symposium is being held at the fol-


November 24th, 2012 - Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, British Columbia - http://www.thunderbirdshowpark.com/default.asp


November 26, 2012 - Pine Ridge Farm, King City, Ontario - http://www.pineridgedressage.com/page.asp?pageid=21


Racing Hall Of Fame Continued from Page 45.


“What a distinguished collection of horsemen here in the Hall of Fame in Canada and I’m thrilled to join them.


Representing Veteran horses in the class of 2012 is Jean Louis Levesque’s juvenile star L’Alezane. This impressive filly won stakes races in New York, Kentucky, Manitoba and Ontario. She captured victory in her first five starts, and received Sovereign Award honours as not only Cham- pion two-year old filly, but also as Canada’s Horse of the Year in 1977.


“I’d like to thank the Canadi- an Horse Racing Hall of Fame committee,” said Pierre-Louis Levesque, the son of Jean-Louis Levesque. “I could tell stories of how L’Alezane is my favourite horse, I could tell stories of racing in Quebec, and I could give opin- ions of the Ontario racing situa- tion, but because it is past your bedtime I will wish you well. Don’t give up. Thank you.” Respected Ontario breeder, Aubrey Minshall has been voted into the Hall of Fame in the Builder category. Minshall, a native of Guyana, lived in Trinidad before he arrived in Canada. In 1996 he was posthu- mously recognized by the industry when his Minshall Farms was named both the leading owner and breeder in Canada. He also was


owner of Horse of the Year, Mt. Sassafras. Unfortunately his sud- den death in 1993 did not let him enjoy some of his best stock, but the years of devotion did.


Excited and ready were high school senior Mikala Chesler of Orangeville and her partner eight year old Dutch Warmblood Masquerade for the m1.20 Jr/Am Jumper Clas- sic. Out of a class of 38 competitors, only Mikala and Nora Gray of Owen Sound jumped a clear first round making it a two horse jump-off with Nora riding Dolly B to the top spot. International course designer David Ballard, Ontario set an extremely circuitous first round track of rollbacks and lines with a ‘whoa or go’ between them and a very, very tight


time allowed of which more than thirty competitors incurred time faults. After the class, he personally complimented Mikala stating, “That was how the course was supposed to be ridden, riding through the turns and being efficient.” Interestingly, Mikala was fourth in the order of go and the only clear until near the end of the first round. Knowing time was factor, she did her own ‘hammer time’ putting the metal to the pedal. Mikala was exuberantly enthusiastic with the result having had a difficult summer adjusting to riding again after a spring fall where she sustained a severe concussion. In addition to the classic result, she and Mas- querade were also third and eighth in the other two m1.20 jr/am classes finishing the week as reserve champion of the division.


Earlier in the week at home on the farm, Mikala had a figure eight jumping lesson on Ilian, a Selle Francais stallion owned by Ruth Armstrong whom she only rides out of the country due to Canada barring juniors from riding stallions anywhere on sanctioned showgrounds. She commented that a not practiced often exercise turned out to be a lucky coin- cidence of preparation. However, reality set in and she thanked her trainer Rob Carey and of course her father Alan for his ever present input.


“It’s really something he worked for for a long time,” said Barbara Minshall. “He made it all happen, he came from Trinidad with nothing. His dreams and determination made it come true. He had the long term vision need- ed to be a thoroughbred breeder. “It was so unfortunate that he didn’t get to see these horses, never got to see the true result of his breeding program,” she added. The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a Not for Profit organization founded in 1976. For 20 years this was a Hall of Fame without a “home”. In 1997, the dream of the founders finally became a reality when the Ontario Jockey Club provided a permanent site at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.


The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a dual hall repre- senting both Standardbreds and Throroughbreds. Inductees are added annually to build an ever- growing honour roll in the catego- ry of Builders, Drivers/Trainers, Jockeys/Trainers and Veterans. The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is located by the West Entrance of Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.


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