It was a full few days of equestrian action at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, from May 23 to 27, but after five days of competition it was time to get the big class of the week underway: the $50,000 CSI** Spring Classic Grand Prix.
The day got started bright and early in the hunter and jumper rings as riders trotted their horses out one last time. Clouds rolled in, but competitors and spectators alike barely noticed the weather. Courses were walked, rounds were taken, and ribbons were handed out.
The crowds arrived early in the day for the main attraction, the CSI** Spring Classic Grand Prix. This class provides an opportunity for riders to win substantial prize money and qualify for future international competitions.
With 21 entries and fences at five ft, international and Olympic riders from Ireland, Germany, the United States, Korea, and Canada rode alongside local contenders for the win and the first place prize of $15,000.
With the grandstands full and dozens of cars parked drive-in style around the ring, the West Coast Drill Team got the event underway.
The course was extremely demanding with 16 jumping efforts, including a daunting water jump that did in more than a couple of horses. Only four out of 21 horse-rider combinations advanced to the jump off.
Kyle King led the jump off on Spitfire with a quick time of 33.08 and four jumping faults. Next into the ring was Audra Fleck-Snijders on Rainland Mel. With two rails down and eight jumping faults she moved into second place.
Canada’s Molly Graham and Powerscourt were next to challenge in the jump-off. Molly also accumulated eight jumping faults and a time just a few hundredths-of-a-second slower than Audra for a third place position.
The final challenger in the ring was Kyle King back on his 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Capone 1. With a steady ride, he jumped right into first with no rails down and 39.70 seconds.
For a complete list of results from the Spring Classic visit www.thunderbirdshowpark.com.
