Holly Jacks and Candy King
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Early in the order of the day and competing in her major games debut for Canada was Holly Jacks of Pemberton, BC with Candy King (Mr J Halim Burford x Moothyeb), a 12-year-old British Sport Horse gelding she co-owns with the Candy King Eventing Limited Partnership. The Canadian pair finessed their moves to score 67.59%, finishing in 49th, the top placed Canadian combination at the end of the Dressage phase. They will take 32.4 penalties into tomorrow’s cross country.
As a younger horse competing in his first major games, Jacks has found the experience with Candy King both exciting and full of learning for the pair. “I was really proud of him,” she said. “He went in there and definitely felt the atmosphere a little bit, but as the test went on, he thought about what we were doing and came back to me.”
Jacks also shared her gratitude for how the community came together to help make the Championships a reality for Canadian riders. With the support of the equestrian community, the Canadian Eventing Team fundraised their way to compete in Pratoni with a major lead off donation by Kelly McCarthy-Maine and Shane Maine this past spring.
“Five months ago,” Jacks said, “we didn’t think we were going to have the funds to send a team. But some really amazing donors came up and fully supported the team going and we have five really good riders here, the camaraderie this year is just incredible. My first team experience has been amazing!”
Mike Winter and El Mundo
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
The final Canadian to compete in the Dressage ring for the World Championships is two-time Olympian Mike Winter of Thornhill, ON, with his mount El Mundo (H.G K M. Derks, Merselo x Calvaro F.C.) a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding he co-owns with Emma Winter and Jonathan Nelson. The pair finished with 33.3 penalties, with a score of 66.73% to finish in 60th place.
Somewhat disappointed with what happened in the ring, Winter maintained his love and respect for his partner and the Eventing discipline. “I don’t think we fulfilled my or his potential,” he explained when reflecting on their performance. “But it happened. You can always hope for better and only see the flaws when you first come out. El Mundo tries so hard and is a lovely horse, I’m lucky to ride him. I just would like a bit more out of myself, and I guess that’s why we do this.”
The special gelding has an extraordinary history with Winter, his owner Jonathan Nelson and his family. Holding back tears, he spoke of his story with El Mundo, who they call ‘Roberto’. “We bought him as a young horse and he broke his leg at his second event,” he said. “He had to stay in the stable for a year recovering. But my great owner really believed in him when he first seasoned back after his injury.”
The horse, who’s first full season of eventing was as an eight-year-old, has become a family favourite and one that enjoys riding with his groom Amy Ferris, Winter’s wife Emma (who is also part owner) and his daughter Lilly who does flat work with him. “He’s a keeper and pretty special to us.”
Winter wore a pin during today’s competition created by a First Nations artist in Canada as he believes in the importance of sport being involved in social action. “This pin represents the role First Nations play in Canada,” he said. “And we need to recognize Canada’s history and the wrongs in the building of the country and how those wrongs today still effect the human rights of Indigenous people.”
“These things need to be talked about,” Winter continued. “Being Canadian if I can do a small bit to make others aware of them, to be a representative of Canada, I hope that helps.” Beyond the lapel pin, the Canadian Eventing team plan to bring more awareness and will be wearing an Indigenous flag during tomorrow’s cross-country course.
Team members and supporters watch and cheer from the ‘Kiss and Cry’ in Pratoni.
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
After the completion of the dressage phase, with 100.5 penalty points, the team enters the cross country in fourteenth place. Knowing how much can change in the standings out on course, the athlete and horse combinations will be ready to tackle the track beginning at 10:30 (CEST). Designed by course designer and show director Giuseppe della Chiesa who has decades of experience as a rider, agricultural entrepreneur and world-renowned course designer, there will be plenty to do out there.
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The sun sets on the cross country course that will see 88 competitors take to the track over 30 fences or combinations and covering a distance of 5,600m in an optimum time of 9 minutes 50 seconds (570m/min).
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Canada’s Chef D’Équipe Rebecca Howard, who has experience in many international and championship caliber cross-country courses in her equestrian career said, “the course is quite clever, and we expect there to be problems scattered throughout.”
“It’s all jumpable and doable but there’s a lot of questions and opportunity for riders to be caught out throughout the course rather than in one specific tough question,” Howard described. “Add the element of trying to go quickly, we’ll see some unexpected things happen.”
To join in on the exciting action, stay up to date, and cheer on the Canadian team, follow the Equestrian Canada social media channels and tune in to FEI TV to watch the combinations go live.
For schedules and further information, please click here
Le Pin-au-Haras, FRA, Sept. 16, 2022 – On the second day of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Driving Championship, Single Horse, Kelly Houtappels-Bruder sits in second place in a field of 66 athlete and horse combinations, held from Sept. 15 – 18, 2022 in Le Pin-au-Haras, FRA.
Kelly Houtappels-Bruder, Meike Paridaans and Flip competing in Dressage
Photo Credit: Melanie Guillamot
Houtappels-Bruder, who is currently ranked third in FEI world rankings along with Flip (Fidertanz x Carprilli), a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding whom she co-owns with her husband Frank Houtappels, delivered an exceptional performance in the Dressage phase of the Championships. Houtappels-Bruder, originally from Ariss, ON, residing in Steensel, NED, finished with 41.59 penalties and a score of 74.0% to hold the silver medal position in the Championship standings going into day three.
“Flip was so good today!” shared the 41-year-old Houtappels-Bruder.“Everything came together and the test was the best one we have ever driven. We have been working toward the Championships all year and he’s peaked at just the right time.”
After walking the course, she is now looking ahead to tomorrow. “It will be a very challenging marathon in front of us,” said Houtappels-Bruder. “It is going to ask a lot of the horses. There are 129 balls in the obstacles so the results will be interesting – anything can happen!”
The Canadian Driving Singles team celebrate their podium-worthy test.
Photo Credit: Melanie Guillamot
The athlete and horse combinations will switch their focus to the marathon stage on Saturday before moving onto the cones phase on Sunday.
Follow along Houtappels-Bruder and Flip on our Equestrian Canada social media channels.
Please click here to find out times and results for the Canadian driving pair.
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Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada. EC thanks the Government of Canada for their financial support.
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