52/ SEPTEMBER 2017 THE RIDER Canadian Olympian Amy Millar Masters CSI2* Caledon Premier


$35,000 CSI2* Open Welcome, presented by RAM Equestrian, on Thursday, August 10, Millar and Heros returned on Saturday to take on 20 other challengers in the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix. The course designed by Marina


tournament, winning both the $35,000 CSI2* Open Welcome and the $50,000 Grand Prix with her 2016 Rio Olympic mount, Heros, at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, ON. Hot off her victory in the


Canadian Olympian Amy Millar Masters CSI2* Caledon Premier August 12, 2017 – Caledon, On- tario – Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON, was unbeat- able at the CSI2* Caledon Pre- mier


II show jumping


for the jump-off all incurred faults, leaving the door wide open for the final four. Shannon Clifford of the United States was the first to post a clear round, guiding her 12-year-old selle francais gelding, Riesling de Mil- vrault, home in a time of 43.01 seconds. Erynn Ballard of Totten- ham, ON, was next into the ring and moved into the lead with a clear round in 40.66 seconds rid- ing Thalys Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by The Thalys Group. Her time at the top was short-lived, however, as Rachel Cornacchia of


Azevedo of Brazil yielded eight clear rounds, setting the stage for an exciting jump-off. The first four riders to return


last, and then got to go last in the jump-off because I knew how fast I had to go,” said Millar. “On Thursday, there were 12 in the jump-off and there were a lot of double clears, going faster and faster, so I went all out. Today, going last, I knew I had an inch here and there. It’s a nice feeling to know exactly what you have to


lar knew what she had to do, and rode a tight course with time-sav- ing turns that saw her stop the clock at 38.05 for the win. “It was lovely that I drew


Foothills, AB, and Valkyrie de Talma, an eight-year-old selle francais mare owned by Eventyre Farms Ltd., were faster still, clocking in at 39.08 seconds. As the final challenger, Mil-


Amy Millar, pictured aboard Heros, is presented as the winner of the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix by Equestrian Management Group representatives Bob and Marilyn Carey. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON, won both the $35,000 CSI2* Open Welcome, presented by RAM Equestrian, and the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix riding Heros. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


so happy,” said Millar of the ten- year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by AMMO In- vestments. “Last year was such an amazing experience; the horse kept giving me more and giving


was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, making her Olympic Games debut as a member of Canada’s fourth-placed team. Fast forward one year, and Millar and her Olympic mount Heros found themselves standing in the win- ner’s circle twice in one week. “Heros is on form, and I am


do, and my horse jumped so well.” At this time last year, Millar


he’s game and with me like he is right now, he’s unbeatable,” con- tinued Millar. “I have to say thank you to my owners and the people who support me, espe- cially the Matthews, Overlund, and Millar families for standing behind me. Without a fabulous horse to do these things with, I


me more right up until the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in Septem- ber. Then he was a little hit or miss, so it’s been a process. This year had not been nearly as excit- ing until this week. He’s right back on form and hasn’t touched a rail all week. “He’s so talented, and when


wouldn’t be where I am today.” Another important member


thinks their staff is the hardest- working, but I think Danny works harder than anybody at the horse show,” said Millar, who was accompanied to the Rio


of the Millar Brooke Farm team was also a winner at the CSI2* Caledon Premier II. Danny In- gratta, who has worked for the Millar family for seven years, was selected as the recipient of the McKee-Pownall FEI Groom Appreciation Award. “I know everyone probably


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