In this edition:
Kelly Houtappels-Bruder and Flip capture exciting win in France
Female Power! Leading Canadian Show Jumpers Foster, Millar and Ballard earn victories across North America
Laura Hall dances her way to second place in Italy
Kelly Houtappels-Bruder and team showed their talents taking an exciting win against some of the world’s best drivers in the CAI3* Horse Single Division at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Driving Competition – Haras du Pin-au-Haras in Normandy, France from July 6 – 9, 2023.
Houtappels-Bruder and Flip in competition
Photo Credit: Mélanie Guillamot
Piloting her trusted partner Flip (Fidertanz x Carprilli), a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co-owns with Frank Houtappels, the Canadian driver originally from Ariss, ON, started strong with a score of 39.99 in the dressage phase on July 6. A day later in the marathon, they added 87.57 to their total, and held on to the top position against a field of 35 athlete and horse combinations going into day three.
Houtappels-Bruder and Flip in the dressage competition
Photo Credit: Mélanie Guillamot
The final phase promised to be as exciting as it gets, with a single point separating Houtappels-Bruder and Switzerland’s Mario Gandolfo in second. Up until the final two drivers, no one had gone double clear. Driving just prior to the leader, Gandolfo delivered.
The pressure was then on the Canadian combination who knew that to hold onto first place, they would have to do the same. Showing all their abilities, the pair got it done. The current no. 4 ranked driver in the World finished on a final score of 127.57, earning every part of the win.
Another notable Canadian mention in Haras du Pin-au-Haras was François Bergeron of Ormstown, QC, who was onsite judging at the competition (Right). Read more about Bergeron’s over 35 years of experience in driving here.
Photo Credit: Mélanie Guillamot
Additional content provided by Spruce Meadows Media, Jump Media and World Equestrian Center
Tiffany Foster captured two victories at the ‘North American CSI 5*/2*’ event, during the final week of the Spruce Meadows summer tournaments in Calgary, AB from July 5 – 9.
During the second day of the tournament, Foster of Langley, BC, won the Jayman BUILT Cup (1.55m), over a demanding track designed by FEI Course Designer Santiago Varela of Spain. Aboard Battlecry (Vigo D Arsouilles STX x Latano), a nine-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding co-owned by Artisan Farms LLC and Kent Farrington, Foster jumped clear over the 16 jumping efforts in the first round to qualify for the jump off along with ten other athletes.
One of them was Ireland’s Daniel Coyle who was first into the jump off, and posted a remarkably fast, clear round in a time of 41.23. Foster then came into the ring, stuck to the plan and soared over the final fence securing the win with a time of 40.67.
“I brought him (Battlecry) here as an eight-year-old last year, and it was so lovely,” said Foster in an interview. “In the summer series, we were allowed to get up into this main (International) ring and I could feel that he liked it then. And he just loves this International ring at Spruce Meadows – and it’s a good ring to like.”
Foster and Battlecry during competiton
Photo Credit: Mike Sturk
A day later, Foster, once again, came out on top, winning the Scotiabank Cup (1.50m), in a field of 40 athlete and horse combinations who challenged the track designed by Spain’s Varela.
Nine of the 40 advanced to the jump-off, a track that consisted of seven obstacles that riders had to complete in 47 seconds or less. Foster and Electrique (Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Voltaire), a nine-year-old Belgain Zangersheide mare owned by 5 Roosters, were one of five combinations to jump clear but finished with the fastest time of 39.15.
“I think especially here (Spruce Meadows), you hear the cheer when you go in (to the ring) in front of the home crowd – I always try my best to make them proud,” said Foster.
Meanwhile in the nations’ capital, Amy Millar of Perth, ON, topped a five-horse jump-off to win the $50,000 RBC Grand Prix on Saturday at Wesley Clover Parks. Taking on the FEI course designed by Germany’s Steffen Buhling, 25 athlete and horse combinations competed on the grass grand prix final.
Millar in her hometown riding GCS Athena
Photo Credit: Ben Radvanyi
Hometown hero Millar aboard GSC Athena, owned by Brookstreet Stables Corporation, jumped clear and finished with a time of 38.67 over frequent winner François Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, QC.
“She is a fiery little mare, she’s really kind, careful, and she’s naturally fast,” said Millar about the mare who she’s been partnered with for over two years. “It’s a real treat when you get in these jump-offs because it’s so much easier; you simply don’t pull on the reins as opposed to making them go fast. It’s a real pleasure to ride her. Athena has been jumping fantastic all week, so it’s been a good week!”
Further south in Florida, Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON, and Kristal Brillante (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Contendro II) claimed vicotry in the highlight event of the weekend in the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix at the Ocala Summer V Show in Ocala, FL.
Erynn Ballard and Kristal Brillante
Photo Credit: Andrew Ryback Photography
Aboard the eight-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding owned by Ilan Ferder, the duo contested the course designed by Canadian Peter Grant, to a double clear effort and a time of 46.14. Ballard spoke of the Kristal Brillante, “he’s brand new, he’s an eight-year-old and this was for sure the biggest we have asked him.
The 42-year-old has produced a successful couple weeks in Ocala, earning numerous top finishes with several different horses.
Laura Hall of Ladysmith, BC, contested the CPEDI 3* event and finished second in all three classes in Ornago, Italy from July 3 – 5.
Aboard Myrtha, a Dutch warmblood mare owned by Karen Pavicic, Hall started the weekend with a score of 66.204% in the Grand Prix A IV. A day later, the Canadian pair finished second with a score of 65.491% in the Grand Prix B IV and conclude the weekend in the Freestyle with a score of 72.267%.