Source:  News Release/Julie Cull

Canadian Show Jumping Team Wins in Argentina

Ottawa, ON — In addition to winning the Nations’ Cup competition held Friday, November 25, at CSIO4*-W Buenos Aires, ARG, at Haras El Capricho from November 23–27, 2011, the Canadian Show Jumping Team comprised of Jonathan Asselin, Angela Covert-Lawrence, Tiffany Foster and Emily George also excelled in individual competition.

Canada won the two-round Nations’ Cup team competition with a total of 22 faults to claim victory at CSIO4*-W Buenos Aires, ARG. Photo Credit—Emmanuel Portela, www.HipismoDigital.com.ar

At a warm-up competition, members of the Canadian Show Jumping Team attended a national competition held at Club Hipico San Jorge Village from November 17–19.  Asselin, 52, of Calgary, AB, won the Grand Prix riding Makavoy, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Attaché Stables.

Jonathan Asselin, 52, of Calgary, AB, won the Grand Prix riding Makavoy, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Attaché Stables, at Club Hipico San Jorge Village. Photo Credit—Emmanuel Portela, www.HipismoDigital.com.ar

On the opening day of the CSIO4*-W Buenos Aires, Asselin and Makavoy placed third in the €6,700 1.50m competition, which was run as a Table A against the clock.

On Friday, Canada won the two-round Nations’ Cup team competition with a total of 22 faults to claim victory over Argentina and Brazil, who tied for second with a total of 26 faults.  Chile placed fourth with 28 faults while the United States placed fifth with 29 faults.

“Our team dedicated the Nations’ Cup win in Buenos Aries in the memory of Hickstead,” said chef d’équipe, Mark Laskin. “The riders were wearing Hickstead armbands, and there was extra motivation to win the class to honour his memory.”

On the final day of competition, Covert-Lawrence, 35, of St. Lazare, QC, rode Utan, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by the Eastwood Group, to a second place finish in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix of Buenos Aires, which featured a car and €10,000 as prizes.  Covert-Lawrence was double clean in a jump-off time of 44.84 seconds to place second to Charlie Jacobs of the United States, who stopped the clock in 43.77 seconds riding Leap of Joy.

“Utan was fantastic,” said Covert-Lawrence, who also a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team in Buenos Aires last year, contributing the best score to Canada’s second-placed team.  “I think he loves jumping here because he only had one rail down all week.  He jumped better and better each day.  I am so pleased with him because he has matured so much.”

Placing sixth in the World Cup Grand Prix of Buenos Aires was Foster, 27, of Schomberg, ON, riding Victor, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Artisan Farms and Torrey Pines Stable.  The pair incurred four faults in the first round to miss qualifying for the four-horse jump-off.

For complete competition details and results, visit www.haraselcapricho.com.

About Jump Canada

Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level.  Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism.  A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry.  Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.