Source:  News Release/Dragon Media Group

Terrific Goes Boldly Where No Horse Has Gone Before

Calgary, Alberta – On Saturday, the highly anticipated $25,000 Star Trek “Into Darkness” Grand Prix lived up to all levels of expectations, including a Jump Off that was truly out of this world.

It was a sensational day, featuring an engaging course designed by Kenny Krome from Maryland that tested the athletes with numerous challenges, utilizing all of the Grand Prix field including a triple combination coming at the later stages of the course. At the end of the first round, a jump off was required in order to determine the champion of the Star Trek “Into Darkness” Grand Prix, named by an anonymous sponsor who is a real Trekkie!

In a sport where champions are usually decided by 1/10th's of seconds, fierce competition had the top four horse/rider combinations separated by just one second, with the battle for top honours even tighter than that. First and Second in the thrilling Jump Off would be decided to the 1/100th of a second, less than the blink of an eye. (Watch the Jump-off Here)

It was like a fierce battle between the Federation and the Klingon's, the tight race between two Alberta riders John Anderson and Tamie Phillips. Sticking to the battle plan may have been that deciding factor for the win, explained John. “Tamie was quick, and in the warm up ring, Jenn Serek (also in the jump-off) and I were talking about whether we should move up or not since she had two horses, but we both stuck to our guns and stay in our order since it was for $25,000. We let Tamie go in her original order, if not maybe she would have beaten us.”

In the end the victory went to John Anderson and his trusted mount. “I was very happy with Terrific today, he really rose to the occasion and hey 1/100th of a second, it doesn’t get any closer than that.”

"John Anderson and Terrific win the first ever $25,000 Star Trek Grand Prix at the Bow Valley Classic II, held at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in Calgary, AB"
Photo Credit – Keara McMurdo

A close second and also third went to Tamie Phillips, who qualified both of her mounts (AHT Cristar and Cat Balou, respectively second and third) for the jump off. “Both of my horses jumped fantastic and I was excited with them both because that was a big track for both of them.” beamed Tamie. “I was so thrilled with the first round, they each jumped great. The horse that ended up second is a 7 year old stallion and I am sure that is the biggest track that he has ever jumped and just thrilled and excited about that new horse.”

Both horses are fairly new to Tamie’s string of successful mounts, with the 7 year old stallion being a recent addition this year, and Cat Balou purchased last September from Ben Asselin. Looking good for Tamie, who had this reflection about missing out on the win by such a small margin of time, “sad about the 1/100th of a second...but would’ve, could’ve, should’ve.”

It was a very exciting class for the crowd that gathered sitting around the Grand Prix field and also filling up Goby’s Grill to watch this event. To add to the Star Trek theme and spirit of this event, the riders delivered their salutes to Colleen Hoffman dressed as Mr Spock in Vulcan style, if they could!

“I think that everybody enjoyed the Star Trek theme and being a Trekkie myself,” mentioned John Anderson, “I am glad we did it.” The satisfaction was mirrored by all of those in attendance who enjoyed every aspect that came together perfectly for another amazing event at Anderson Ranch.

Reflecting on the past two weeks, John Anderson of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping: “The Bow Valley Classics will be wrapping up tomorrow and all we can say is thank you to Mother Nature because May in Alberta can be difficult, but good weather makes everyone have a lot of fun and it was great to see so many smiles on all of the exhibitors faces over the last two weeks.”

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping hosts its tournaments at Anderson Ranch in Calgary’s south end, a world-class facility featuring permanent stabling for 300 horses and a grass grand prix field complete with natural obstacles.  For more information on Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, please visit  www.rmshowjumping.com.

Competition continues next week with the June Classics, starting June 6, 2013.

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