Jonathan Asselin Named CAVALOR 'Athlete of the Month' for October

Jonathan Asselin of Calgary, Alberta, was named the CAVALOR 'Athlete of the Month' for October, 2011 by Jump Canada.

Asselin was the highest-placed member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 2011 Pan American Games held October 26 to 29 in Guadalajara, Mexico.  Riding Showgirl, an 11-year-old chestnut Selle Français mare owned by Attaché Stables, Asselin was a member of the fourth-placed Canadian Team and placed ninth individually.

On the first day of competition, Asselin and Showgirl jumped clear in the speed round in a time of 89.74 seconds, which converted to 6.10 faults.  During the Nations’ Cup competition, Asselin and Showgirl jumped clear in the opening round but incurred one time fault after stopping the clock in 84.02 seconds, just barely over the 84-second time allowed.  Returning for the second round, Asselin and Showgirl made it all the way to the final fence before incurring four faults at the final fence.

Asselin and Showgirl entered the individual final on Saturday, October 29, in 16th position.  Again, the pair jumped clear but received one fault for exceeding the time allowed.  Returning for the second round, Asselin was jumping clear when Showgirl’s bit broke three jumps from home.  Despite the extraordinary equipment failure, Asselin kept Showgirl’s focus, only having a rail at the final obstacle, the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games fence.  With a final score of 16.10 penalties, Asselin placed ninth overall in his Pan American Games debut.

“Showgirl was even better than I could have imagined, she was fantastic,” said Asselin.  “What a treat and what an honour to be named the Jump Canada Athlete of the Month.  It is really great to have sponsors such as Cavalor.”

As the CAVALOR 'Athlete of the Month' for October, Asselin receives a gift certificate from title sponsor CAVALOR Inc.

Photo: Spruce Meadows Media Services