Jay Hayes guided Riva to victory for owner Summerhill Farm in the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Division of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series held during the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments from August 10 to 14 in Ottawa, ON. Photo by RedRibbonPhotography.com

August 17, 2011 – Ottawa, ON – Jay Hayes guided Riva to victory as young horses were showcased at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments running at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.
 
Of the three horses to advance to the jump-off in the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Young Horse competition, Riva jumped clear in the fastest time, 41.90 seconds, to take the win.  Owned by Summerhill Farm, seven-year-old Riva carries impressive bloodlines.  Her sire is Rio Grande, Eric Lamaze’s former grand prix mount, while her mother is Diva, ridden by Hayes at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  With two international show jumping horses as parents, Hayes has similar hopes for Riva.
 
“She’s really coming along nicely; she’s exactly like her mother,” said Hayes, who is a two-time Canadian Olympian as well as the organizer of the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments.  “We’re going to make her into the best horse she can be.  I truly believe she has grand prix potential and hopefully someday we will be able to represent Canada.”
 
Jeff Brandmaier placed second after stopping the clock in 43.91 seconds riding Damiro van ter Notelaere, a Belgian-bred gelding owned by Knightwood Stables of Guelph, ON.  Four faults in the jump-off meant a third place finish for Greg Kuti of Schomberg, ON, and Argento, bred in Canada by KingRidge Stables and now owned by Chor-Be Farm of Schomberg, ON.
 
Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, guided Alazan to victory in the Six-Year-Old Young Horse competition.  The pair put in the only double clear performance of the class to secure the win.  Alazan was bred by Janice Baikie of Arva, ON, and is owned by Millar Brooke Farm of Perth, ON.
 
“He has such a fighting character,” said Millar, son of nine-time Olympian, Ian Millar.  “It’s great when the horse goes into the ring and wants to do as well or better than you do.”
 
Millar recognizes the importance of bringing along Canada’s next group of potential grand prix horses.
 
“It’s really important to take things slowly with them,” explained the 36-year-old Canadian Equestrian Team member.  “You have to be very mindful of their maturity, both mentally and physically.  You have to open every door you can to keep developing these young horses.  Great horses don’t just grow on trees; they have to be brought along carefully.”
 
Paul Halpern of St. Lazare, QC, rode Empire 181 to a second place finish for owner Wynbrook Farm of Vars, ON.
 
In the Five-Year-Old Young Horse competition, Johan Letimonier topped a four-horse jump-off riding the French-bred Selma de la Batia for owner DK Masterson Holdings.
 
“It was great for her to have a win,” said Letimonier, who is the son-in-law of Jay Hayes.  “She’s still green so to do the jump-off at this height of fence and still perform as well as she did, that says a lot.  This is only her third show so that shows you how special this horse is.”
 
Letimonier will continue to compete with Selma de la Batia in the young horse divisions before turning the reins over to Amy Masterson.
 
“I think it’s even more nerve-racking watching someone else ride her than competing myself,” said Masterson, 16.  “I am really hoping to be able to start riding her this winter, but for sure I will be on her before the end of the 2012 show season.”
 
Millar’s younger sister, Amy Millar, placed second riding Fine Time M.  Bred by Millar Brooke Farm of Perth, ON, Fine Time M is owned in partnership with Ann Mathews.  Finishing third was Robert Krcmar of Mississauga, ON, riding the German-bred La Fleur for owner Jacqueline Wickens of Port Credit, ON.
 
The National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments is in its second and final week at the Nepean National Equestrian Park.  Running August 17 to 21, the second week of competition sees two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela setting the tracks in the grand prix field.  Competition highlights include the $10,000 Ottawa Rental & Supply Ltd. Open Welcome on Friday, August 19, and the thrilling $10,000 ATCO Jumping Derby on Saturday, August 20.  The grand finale is Sunday’s $75,000 CSI** Brookstreet Grand Prix, sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
 
Approximately 500 horses will compete over the two weeks of competition at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, conveniently located at the 417 Queensway and Moodie Drive.
 
For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament, please visit www.hayesco.ca.