June 3, 2026 – For the second year in a row, the Canadian Show Jumping Team took second place in the FEI CSIO4* Nations Cup 1.55m, Sunday, May 31, at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC. Held as part of the Odlum Brown BC Open, the Nations Cup was captured by the team from Mexico, showing their depth of talent by winning not one, but two Nations Cups in as many days, and after suffering the elimination of one of their team riders in the first round.
Five nations started Canadian Peter Holmes’ course: Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico and the United States. The challenging course had everyone on their toes: eliminations for Australia, Ireland and Mexico meant they all lost the advantage of having a drop score in the first round.
Lead-off rider for Team Canada, Olympic veteran Tiffany Foster of Langley, BC with Battlecry (Tiffany Foster, Artisan Farms & Kent Farrington) had two rails in the first round, including one at the ‘bogey’ fence of the day the Canoes with a very light plank as the top rail. Gavin Moylan of Grand Prairie, AB, and his own and Priscilla Denegre’s Lordy-P picked up 12, which would become the drop score; and Nicole Walker of Aurora, ON, and her own Panter JVH had just one rail in round one.
Anchor rider for Canada, Amy Millar (Perth, ON) on Gaiete d’Elle (L Pathy Equestrian) in their first Nations Cup together, secured an all-important clear round allowing Canada to sit equal with United States after the first round. Mexico and three-time winners Ireland were tied in the lead with eight penalties after a clear performance from their respective anchors Alejandro Winkler and Conor Swail.
In reverse order of standing – with time breaking the ties – everyone returned for the second round. Canada delivered solid improvements in the second round with both Tiffany Foster and Battlecry and Nicole Walker and Panter JVH delivering fault-free rounds. Gavin Moylan improved his scoresheet to eight faults on their second ride. It came down to Amy Millar and Gaiete d’Elle in the final rotation to secure Canada’s place on the podium. With one rail down, the door was open for Mexico: a clear round from Winkler gave them the win, with Canada taking second place.
“I’m thrilled with my horse Panter today, he deserved a clear round and I’m glad we were able to achieve that in round two” commented Nicole Walker. “In the first round we had the last jump down, so we slightly altered our plan for the second round. My teammates are so supportive – they had great rounds. It was a beautiful day at Thunderbird.”
Said chef d’équipe Ian Millar: “It was a hard-fought Nations Cup, I’m pleased with our second place. There were some pretty exciting rounds out there. I’m very proud of our Team. We’re developing some horses and developing some riders and it all came together nicely for a wonderful silver medal podium finish.”
The final overall team totals were Mexico on 12, Canada on 16, USA on 17, Ireland on 20 and Australia on 30.
Photos: Tiffany Foster and Battlecry, Gavin Moylan and Lordy-P, Nicole Walker and Panter JVH, Amy Millar and Gaiete d’Elle. © Kim Gaudry Photography.