2/ JUNE 2019 THE RIDER


Beth Underhill Continued from Page 1.


Thursday’s $36,500 CSI2* Open Welcome, presented by RAM Equestrian, Underhill


of


Schomberg, ON, returned on Sat- urday, May 18, to win the $72,000 CSI2* Grand Prix, pre- sented by CASE IH. Her partner for both victories was Count Me In, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Count Grannus x Sher- lock Holmes). “It’s so exciting!” said Un-


derhill of her pair of victories. “Count Me In has not put a foot wrong all week. He’s been so ef- ficient and confident in the jump-


managed to leave all the rails in place and advance to the jump- off. Erynn Ballard, 38, of Totten- ham, ON, was the first rider back in the jump-off and set the pace with a quick time of 36.70 sec- onds riding Z Diamanty, a 12- year-old Holsteiner mare (Diamant de Semilly x Cor de la Bryere) owned by The Z Group and Looking Back Farm. As the penultimate jump-


off contenders, Underhill and Count Me In put their partnership to the test, turning and burning around the short course before galloping home in a time of 35.43, more than a full second faster than Ballard, to take the win.


Chicago Grand Prix and were re- cently members of the Canadian Show Jumping Team for the Na- tions’ Cup held in March at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. “It’s great to be back home,


reaping the rewards of a wonder- ful education in Wellington,” said Underhill, 56, who operates Beth Underhill Stables in nearby King City, ON. “To be back riding on the Canadian Team for the first time since 2010 was, quite hon- estly, a dream come true. It never gets old!” For Underhill, who repre-


sented Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games with the great Monopoly, Saturday’s


Erynn Ballard and Z Diamanty finished second in the $72,000 CSI2* Grand Prix, presented by CASE IH, on Saturday, May 18, at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, ON. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


from him over the years and from simply watching him. To me, it was an extra-special moment.” The CSI2* Caledon Na-


tional marked the first of week of Fédération Equestre Interna-


tionale (FEI) sanctioned compe- tition of the season at the Cale- don Equestrian Park, host of equestrian events for the 2015 Pan American Games. For more information on


the CSI2* Caledon National, in- cluding full results and a full competition schedule, please visit www.caledonequestrian- park.com.


Celebrating Somebeachsomewhere: Film Event Raises Funds for OVC


Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, aboard Count Me In is presented as the winner of the $72,000 CSI2* Grand Prix, presented by CASE IH, by Hugh Snodden (left) and Robert Meier. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


offs that he’s making my job easy.”


Underhill called on that re-


liability as she faced large jump- off fields on her way to both victories. In Thursday’s $36,500 CSI2* Open Welcome, presented by RAM Equestrian, Underhill was one of 10 competitors to suc- cessfully jump clear over the track set by 2016 Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. Her jump-off time of 39 seconds flat was fast enough to hold off Ireland’s Conor Swail who stopped the timers in 39.29 seconds riding Valentino d’Elte and third-place finisher Ali Ram- say of Victoria, BC, who was also double clear in a time of 40.37 seconds riding Casino. On Saturday, 12 riders


“He’s a horse that gives his


all every time out,” said Under- hill, who has been partnered with Count Me In since he was six years old and just beginning his show jumping career. “I’ve been mindful of that in developing him. He’s sensitive and needed time to develop properly. Now we are in a place where that care- ful development has paid off. “His owners, Sandy Lupton


and Robb Caswell, have been fantastically supportive,” contin- ued Underhill. “They always come to watch us and are the best supporters out there. It’s won- derful to have owners like that in Canada.” Underhill and Count Me In


scored big last year by winning the $500,000 CSI5* HITS


$72,000 Grand Prix victory was also memorable for another rea- son. Caledon National show or- ganizers,


Equestrian


Management Group (EMG), was honouring 10-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar following his retirement from international competition. “It was really touching to


win the grand prix on a day when we were honouring Ian Millar,” said Underhill, who has ridden alongside Millar in team compe- tition for three decades. “I was able to speak to him today and tell him how much he has done for our country. He was the first person I was on the team with and he became a real mentor for me. I wouldn’t be the rider I am without the support I have had


ble’s star enjoyed a one-time- only screening of the film May 4


Horse of a Lifetime” premiered on Eastlink Community TV ear- lier this year, and received glow- ing reviews. Fans of the Schooner Sta-


of his greatest admirers gathered to share an exclusive film fundraiser celebrating the late pacer’s life and career. “Somebeachsomewhere:


Somebeachsomewhere qualified at Mohawk Racetrack to start his sophomore season. On May 4th, a select group


Guelph, ON May, 9, 2019 - “Somebeachsomewhere: Horse of a Lifetime”, made its big screen debut Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Mohawk Inn and Con- ference Centre, Milton, Ontario. The event proceeds were kindly donated to support equine re- search at University of Guelph. The screening was made possi- ble through the cooperation and generous support of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA), Eastlink Community TV, and the USHWA Canada chapter. Eleven years ago today,


http://hoofbeats-radio.blogspot.com/ With features like Horse of the Week, Horse


Life, Riding with the Stars, andmore!


Dean Dr. Jeff Wichtel and Equine Guelph Director Gayle Ecker attended and introduced the screening, which raised pro- ceeds through donations and sponsorships. “The industry has continued to work through the challenges of


within the Ontario racing indus- try,” says Dean Wichtel. “Every donation counts to help support research towards improving the lives of our racing athletes, and we would like to thank all the or- ganizers and participants of this


re-structuring


at Mohawk Inn and Conference Centre, Milton, Ontario. Ontario Veterinary College


gional Manager for Southern Ontario, and Brian Tropea, OHHA General Manager, also gave opening remarks. Driver Paul MacDonell an-


event.” Ron Mervis, Eastlink Re-


swered audience questions after the film, generously signing au- tographs until his departure to drive in race 1 at Woodbine Mo- hawk Park. To learn more about how


www.equineguelph.ca.


donations, however large or small, benefit the care and health of


racehorses, please visit


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