Thunderbird Show Park Hosts $75 000 Grand Prix

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Thunderbird WCHR Summer Classic

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sourced by Barbara McPherson

Langley, BC, Canada

Twenty-two competitors and their horses braved the elements to ride in an exciting Grand Prix at Thunderbird Show Park.  They were competing for a share in the $75 000 purse.  The field was soaked in the torrential rains, but the footing held up due to the excellent drainage.  The riders, their horses and tack were wet and slippery making for many to incur faults on the course.  Two riders went clear and faced a jump off for top places.

Both riders in the jump off call BC home right now.  Andrea Strain on Novalis rode a clear round but incurred 3 time faults.  This put her in second place to Gary Brewster aboard Royal Viali who also rode clear but completed within the time allotted.  They had 48 seconds to get their mounts over seven jumps.  These jumps are about five feet high.

Spectators saw one member of the Canadian Equestrian Team ride, Jonathan Asselin, back from Hong Kong.  His Olympic mount was on its way to New York.  Young riders in the Grand Prix are looking to the 2012 Olympics.  Enthusiasm is at its peak right now with Canadians bringing back a silver in team jumping and a gold in individual. 

For people in the Lower Mainland, Thunderbird Show Park hosts first class competitions every year.  Admission to the grounds is free and it is an excellent opportunity to see world class riders and their horses at no charge.