Calgary, Alberta – A record number of athletes gathered for the first of three weeks of Rocky Mountain Classic Tournaments to compete in hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. Events for the week featured a warm up for the CET Prairie Regional Finals, two FEI $33,500 CSI2* Grand Prix’s, a $15,000 Hunter Derby and a $2,000 Jr/Am Hunter Derby.

Thursday evening featured the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) $33,500 CSI2* Grand Prix and a field of 23 entries starting in the first round, only 2 answering all of the questions set on course and moving onto the jump off. It was thrilling jump off facing off the spectacular duo of Kayleigh Ross and her horse Polar Ice and Canadian Olympian John Anderson. Speed and precision are what counts in the jump off and the day would end with Kayleigh and Polar Ice having ice in their veins and besting John and Terrific by over a second to win the first FEI Grand Prix of the week.

Photo Credit to Anna Skripets Photography.
Above - Kayleigh Ross and Polar Ice winners of the $33,500 CSI2* on August 7, 2014 at Rocky Mountain Classic I.

An spectacular week of perfect weather, did experience one hiccup on Friday evening by a bit of rain during the Hunter Derbies. That didn’t dampen the spirits of spectators or competitors as they cheered Janna Tymstra and Legurio hunt to victory in the $4,000 Hunter Derby 3’6” and Deborah Boyle on Glory Bound in the $2,000 Jr/Am Hunter Derby 3’0”.

Photo Credit to Anna Skripets Photography.
Above Left - Janna Tymstra and Legurio winners of the $4,000 Hunter Derby 3’6”.
Above Right - Deborah Boyle on Glory Bound winners of the $2,000 Jr/Am Hunter Derby 3’0”

Saturday afternoon Family Day offered activities such as the PGA Alberta van, face painting and petting zoo along with great show jumping to watch. The afternoon FEI $33,500 CSI2* Grand Prix had a field of 19 entries step through the gate, with 8 advancing to the jump off. It was an amazing jump off, the horses were jumping amazing and each successive rider going faster and faster, with the top of the leader board constantly changing. In the end there can only be one champion and that was Kyle King of the USA on SIG White Chocolate, owned by SIG International, Inc.

Photo Credit to Anna Skripets Photography.
Above - Kyle King and SIG White Chocolate winners of the $33,500 CSI2* on August 9, 2014 at Rocky Mountain Classic I.

RESULTS - $33,500 CSI2* 1.40M - 1.45M - AUGUST 7, 2014

RESULTS - $33,500 CSI2* 1.40M - 1.45M - AUGUST 9, 2014

Competition continues August 13, 2014 at the Rocky Mountain Classic II Tournament.

For more informaion regarding this press release please contact magazine@rmsj.ca. Photographs may only be used in relation to this article. For a high-resolution copy contact anna.skripets@gmail.com.