OCTOBER 2024 THE RIDER /29 Luis Larrazabal Makes Winning Debut at Major League Show Jumping Ottawa


Ottawa, Ontario – Ottawa, On- tario – Luis Larrazabal of Venezuela made his first visit to Wesley Clover Parks a winning one by scoring victory in the $62,500 USD CSI5* Steel-Craft Qualifier on opening day of the Major League Show Jumping Ot- tawa tournament. A total of 40 of the best


show jumping athletes in the world took to the grass grand prix field in the hopes of a win on Fri- day, August 23. Ten were clear over the track set by Olaf Pe- tersen Jr. to qualify for the all-de- ciding jump-off. As the final rider to return for the jump-off, Larraz- abal knew what he had to do to win riding Belle de Muze, a 14- year-old Moroccan-bred mare he owns in partnership with Driss Ngadi. Canadian Olympian Erynn


Ballard held the lead with a time of 40.33 seconds, but Larrazabal used his mare’s footspeed to his advantage and crossed the timers in 39.68 seconds to take the win. Ballard settled for second with Fave d’Authuit, a nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Ilan Ferder while Colombia’s Mark Bluman rounded out the top three with a jump-off time of 41.11 seconds riding a new part- ner, Concare PS. “Knowing I was going last in the jump-off was a big advan-


over Ali Ramsay of Victoria, BC, and Duke of Doel who stopped the clock in 34.93 seconds. American Ashley Vogel posted a jump-off time of 36.20 seconds riding Birdy du Thot to take third.


Luis Larrazabal of Venezuela won the $62,500 USD CSI5* Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. Qualifier riding Belle de Muze on Friday, August 23, at the Major League Show Jumping Ottawa tournament taking place at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


tage for me knowing how fast she is,” said Larrazabal, 31, who made his Olympic debut mere weeks ago in Paris, France. “I didn’t see anybody before me be- cause I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. It’s happened to me before and I’ve learned from my mistakes. I just took my time, be- lieved in her, did my plan, and it went my way.” Of his first trip to compete at


Wesley Clover Parks, Larrazabal noted, “It’s unbelievable here. The show, the people, the hospi-


tality – everything is top, top class. It’s such a nice place and it’s been amazing. I love it.” Ballard of Tottenham, ON,


Jumping Ottawa tournament runs through Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON. Showcasing the highest level of international show jumping competition with a CSI5* rating from the Fédéra- tion Equestre Internationale (FEI), Major League Show Jumping Ottawa also features a CSI2* division to offer a com- bined total of more than $800,000 in prize money. For more information on the


The Major League Show


had made a trip to the winner’s circle earlier in the day after win- ning the $31,100 USD CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier, presented by CIBC Wood Gundy. A total of 13 riders from a starting field of 60 qualified for the jump-off, but none were faster than Ballard and De Flor 111 Z Santa Rosa. The pair were double clear in a time of 34.75 seconds to take the win


Fall shows, fairs and events strengthen food and farming connections


By Sara Wood, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Early September often


feels as much like a new begin- ning as early January does. It’s when most summer activities end, and kids go back to school. For the farming community, it means harvest time kicks into high gear – but it also unofficially marks the beginning of our sec- tor’s annual meeting and event season.


This week, for example,


will see one of the biggest agri- cultural events of the year, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock. I farm with my fam- ily near Mitchell, Ontario and I’m also a Vice President with the On- tario Federation of Agriculture so I’ll be working at the show this week at what we call Federation House – the OFA building on the show grounds. For me as a farmer, the


show lets me see the latest agri- cultural innovations, tools, equip- ment and technology, and chat with a wide range of people. Life can be isolating on the farm sometimes, so it’s a great oppor- tunity to get out, visit with neigh- bours and farming friends and reconnect with others in the agri- cultural community. From an OFA perspective,


the show lets us have informal, one on one conversations with members who come and see us so we can learn more about the chal- lenges and successes they are having, and what they’re looking forward to in the coming year. We’re an advocacy organi-


zation for Ontario farmers and rural communities, after all, so


these types of opportunities are invaluable to make sure we can represent the needs and interests of our members to the best of our abilities. We’re encouraging our


members, for example, to have conversations with their local municipal representatives about responsible land use planning. But we’re also putting a particu- lar focus on harvest readiness. This means highlighting farm and road safety, but also mental health and wellness and how self- care is as importance as looking after your crops, livestock and equipment. We also have a focus on


young farmers this year and in partnership with the Junior Farm- ers’ Association of Ontario, the presidents of our two organiza- tions are hosting an informal net- working event on the first night of the show. The goal is to bring young farmers together, encour- age them engage with our organ- izations and give us input on how we can best encourage their in- volvement in the future of On- tario agriculture. We’re sharing our space in


Federation House with other or- ganizations and businesses, in- cluding many of our OFA Benefit Program partners, such as Farm Life, Scotiabank, Co-operators, Better Farming, Peavey Mart and Hearing Life. These are busi- nesses who offer succession plan- ning, financial, insurance, media, retail and health care services to our members at discounted rates – and the show offers the oppor- tunity to learn more about what is available to OFA members.


It’s a year of big anniver-


saries for a couple of our part- ners. The Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program is marking its 40th anniversary and as a founding member of the pro- gram, we’re proud to be the pre- mier sponsor of their celebration at the farm show this year. We see the results of this


program’s impact reflected throughout the agriculture and food sector. I’m a graduate as are other OFA board members and staff, and many alumni are mak- ing significant contributions across our membership, and throughout the entire value chain. Better Farming is celebrat-


ing their 25th anniversary at this show, as well as 25 years as an OFA member benefit program partner.


Autumn also means its fall


fair time across Ontario and many of our farmer members and our county and regional federa- tions will be participating in fairs in their communities. They’re a great opportunity for Ontarians to come and experience a glimpse of farming and rural life. When I was growing up, I


used to show cattle at fall fairs, and it was always great to see kids who had never seen a calf or a cow before coming up and ask- ing if they could pet the animals. It only takes a little bit of time to have that conversation with them, but the impression that leaves will last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing


you at a show, a fair or other event this fall!


Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, visit www.OttawaEquestrian- Tournaments.com. All competi- tor information is available at www.ottawaequestriantourna- ments.com/calendar and full re- sults can be found at ottawa.showmanagementsys- tem.com/events. All class lists and results are also available by downloading the Major League Show Jumping app.


$62,500 USD CSI5* Steel- Craft Door Products Ltd. Qualifier – Friday, August 23 Rider / Country / Horse /


Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON, was second riding Fave d’Authiut for owner Ilan Ferder in the $62,500 USD CSI5* Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. Qualifier. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


40.28 8. Amy Millar / Canada / Chris- tiano / 0:4 / 40.75 9. Sean Jobin / Canada / Sterre- hof’s Edinus / 0:4 / 46.10 10. Shane Sweetnam / Ireland / Paulien Dwerse Hagen / 0:8 /


43.39 11. Gabriel de Matos Machado / Brazil / Legaland Sandro / 4 12. Alison Robitaille / United States / Oaking


Faults / Time 1. Luis Larrazabal / Venezuela / Belle de Muze / 0:0 / 39.68 2. Erynn Ballard / Canada / Fave d’Authuit / 0:0 / 40.33 3. Mark Bluman / Colombia / Concare PS / 0:0 / 41.11 4. Abdel Said / Belgium / Bonne Amie / 0:0 / 41.45 5. Ali Ramsay / Canada / Con- rado 12 / 0:0 / 41.79 6. Loic Cannaert / Belgium / Ul- timately Cooley / 0:0 / 46.00 7. Brian Moggre / United States / MTM Vivre le Reve / 0:4 /


Colombia’s Mark Bluman took third with new partner Concare PS in the $62,500 USD CSI5* Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. Qualifier. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


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