The United States’ Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool earned the victory in the Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge.
Toronto, ON, Nov. 4, 2023 – It’s good to be back at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The world's largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event has made its return to Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, marking its 101st anniversary from Nov. 3-12, 2023.
The world-renowned Royal Horse Show has returned with more of the incredible competition we’ve come to expect and a place where equestrian fans can take in all that the Royal has to offer. Over the next ten days, we are excited to watch over 1,000 competitors vie for more than $1,000,000 in prize money and the coveted title of Royal Champion!
Many of the Pan American medalists that were in Santiago as well as Olympians and other top international athletes and horses will be competing in high level sport as well as showcasing Canada’s largest variety of equine breeds and events. All your favourite vendors are on site to offer shopping for you or your horse.
Taylor Brooks and Spectre, National Canadian Hunter Derby Champions from 2021 and reserve champs in 2022 stand at the Princes’ Gate at Exhibition Place in Toronto, ON the venue of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for 101 years. Photo Credit : Mackenzie Clark
Horse competition kicked off with Pony Hunters, Children’s & Jr. Hunters, Heavy Horse Cart & Teams throughout the day in the Coca-Cola Coliseum. The evening’s line up was all about Eventing and Show Jumping.
Aarya Armogan and Rajah. Photo Credit : Ben Radvanyi
Eventing
In the first round of the fan favourite Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge, 10 athlete and horse combinations competed in the course set by Captain Mark Phillips in the Coca-Cola Coliseum. United States’ Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool earned the victory, finishing with zero faults and a time of 80.43.
Right: Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool. Photo Credit: Ben Radvanyi
The reigning champion of the 2022 Indoor Eventing Challenge, Holly Jacks from Hillsburgh, Ontario, secured second place. Aboard Josephine, a 10-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare owned by Donna van Beek, the duo delivered an exceptional clear round coming very close to Dutton’s time, stopping the clock at 81.00.
Left: Holly Jacks and Josephine. Photo Credit: Ben RadvanyiCompleting the top three was Jamie Kellock of Cedar Valley, Ontario, accompanied by her own Summer Bay, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. They put on an impressive display by navigating the course flawlessly and finishing with a time of 88.67.
Jumping
Vanessa Mannix was the second out of the gate to compete in the $25,000 Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship and never looked back, earning the win in round one. Mannix, who hails from Calgary, AB and her own Carmela Z (Candillo 3 x Nissan Caretano Z), a 11-year-old Zangersheide mare, completed a speedy clear round, with a time of 58.01.
Vanessa Mannix and Carmela Z. Photo Credit: Ben Radvanyi
She was thrilled with her performance, and so happy to be at the Royal. “That was fun!” Mannix expressed and continued to share her appreciation for the spirited crowd. "It's the best, such a special show, and we're fortunate to have such an informed audience here because they truly understand show jumping and support the Canadian athletes," she said.
Mannix beamed with pride for her mare, who she’s been paired with since 2019. “Her attitude is the absolute the best – anything you ask her to do, she’ll try her very best, big stride, wants to be careful, has all the attributes for show jumping horse but number one is her attitude.”
The duo competed earlier this year in their first 5* Grand Prix at Angelstone, and Mannix reflected on her performance as they look ahead to this week’s competition, “she did super and I was delighted with her, hopefully we have a good week”. Seems like it’s off to a great start!
Vanessa Mannix and Carmela Z. Photo Credit: Ben RadvanyiSean Jobin of Toronto, ON, placed second aboard Coquelicot VH Heuvelland Z (Catoki x Cassini II), a 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Foxridge Farms Stables. The pair narrowly missed the fastest time, stopping the clock at 60.39.
Don't miss out as the excitement continues on Saturday at 7pm with the Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge Final and the Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championships Round Two. For full results of the Royal Horse Show,
click here.
Source: Equestrian Canada News Release
