"She’s my heart horse for sure,” said Walter.
Toronto, Ontario – Shannon Walter of Campbellville, ON, closed out her 2022 competition season on a high note by winning the Pommies Cider Co. Junior/Amateur 3’3” Hunter championship title on Monday, November 7, at the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 100th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
"She’s my heart horse for sure,” said Walter of her winning mount, Chantilly Lace. “I got her when she was three years old, broke her myself, and I’ve been the one bringing her up. She’s amazing. She’s always perfect, and this is her favourite show, so it was great to see her shine here.”
Walter and Chantilly Lace qualified to compete at the Royal Horse Show in the Junior/Amateur 3’3” Hunters, a new division that serves as a stepping-stone between the 3’ Adult Amateur Hunters and the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunters.
“I think the jump from 3’ to 3’6” is a big one,” explained Walter, 26, who trains with Wayne McLellan of WGM Stables. “We did the 3’6” Amateur-Owners the last time we competed at The Royal. Then she was off with an injury over the winter, so the 3’3” division seemed like a good medium option that is not too hard on her. I think the addition of this division is great. It gives horses a place that might not have a place in the 3’6”.”
Photo at Left: Shannon Walter of Campbellville, ON, guided Chantilly Lace to the championship title in the Pommies Cider Co. Junior/Amateur 3’3” Hunter division on Monday, November 7, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Walter and the 12-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare sired by Cabardino earned first, second, and fourth place ribbons over fences as well as fifth place in the under saddle class to take home the championship ribbon out of a competitive starting field of 16 horse-and-rider combinations. The 100th anniversary edition of the Royal Horse Show marks the pair’s fourth time showing at the prestigious year-end event together.
“It means a lot to be champion here,” commented Walter. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid to watch the show, but Chantilly Lace was the first horse that ever took me to The Royal to compete. It’s just great to get better each year with her and build our relationship.”
The reserve championship title in the Pommies Cider Co. Junior/Amateur 3’3” Hunter division went to Julia Watt of Caledon, ON, riding Cirque, owned by High Hill Equestrian.
Photo At Right: Julia Watt and Cirque earned reserve champion in the Pommies Cider Co. Junior/Amateur 3’3” Hunter division. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Photo Above: Shannon Walter and Chantilly Lace were presented with the Pommies Cider Co. Junior/Amateur 3’3” Hunter championship title and the Murray and Louise Cornblum Challenge Trophy by Lindsay Sutcliffe of Pommies Cider Co. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
This year’s Royal Horse Show showcases the very best in horse sport with an elevated CSI5*-W rating from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). For more information and to purchase tickets for the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of the 100th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org/horse-show.
The Royal also offers numerous hospitality experiences which sell out quickly. The Royal Terrace is available for VIP and corporate hosting while the Coliseum’s Sky Suites offer stables and groups their own private suites. New for 2022, the Tanbark Club will offer an upscale luncheon buffet on select days. Visit www.royalfair.org/hospitality/ for more details.
Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto.
Photo of the Day From the Coca-Cola Coliseum
Husband-and-wife team of Jeff Brandmaier (far right) riding Nitecap and Margaret “Muffie” Guthrie riding ‘Round Midnight were crowned champion and reserve champion respectively of the Michael C. Sifton Memorial Amateur-Owner Working Hunter Canadian Championship. Their daughter, Liza Jean, accompanied the winning pair in the presentation. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and international equestrian event. The 100th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 4-13, 2022, at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Canada. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.
