Edited Press Release
The final week of the Tournament of Champions welcomed Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Thursday for respective 1.40m Two-Phase classes at CSI2* and CSI5* levels. After 69 entries in the 1.40m CSI5* Two-Phase, it was Canada on top as Amy Millar took the win aboard the Future Adventures entry Christiano.
Millar strategically placed her horse in the opening class to go for a victory and aim for a repeat double-clear in Saturday’s MLSJ Team Competition. “I thought I’d try repeating that performance [at Angelstone Tournaments a few weeks ago] by starting with a win today,” she remarked.
With the 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding (Canoso x Compliment), Millar raced around the speed phase, designed by Alan Wade (IRL) in 24.13 seconds and could not be caught by any other competitor as the class went on.
Canada also took second place on the podium with Sean Jobin capturing the second-best spot with Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z, owned by Foxridge Farms Stables, and Alex Granato (USA) claimed third with Helios vh Nosahoeve, owned by Kisma Equestrian LLC.
“My horse was jumping very well today,” Millar continued. “When I got into the speed phase I wanted to challenge him. I know where I’m at with him so I can push him when I get to that team event. He just kept answering all my challenges by jumping better.”
After a successful MLSJ season with Team Eye Candy, Millar is confident and knows her horse can rise to another stellar performance in this week’s Team Competition. “He’s on form this week,” she said about Christiano. “I can ride aggressively when I have to and he’s going to pay attention and jump well.”
After spending the summer training in Europe under Eric Lamaze (CAN) and her father, Ian Millar (CAN), Amy Millar has learned new perspectives she is taking into the ring with her. “That’s what keeps people going so long in this sport,” she reflected. “There’s always room to improve and there’s always new things to learn. You might master riding a certain type of horse or in a certain style, but maybe that style doesn’t work on a different type of horse. The sport is also evolving. You have to make adaptations to your riding to be successful.”
Final Results: 1.40m CSI5* Two-Phase
1. CHRISTIANO: 2012 BRAND gelding by Canoso x Compliment
AMY MILLAR (CAN), Future Adventures: 0/0/24.13
2. COQUELICOT VH HEUVELLAND Z: 2012 ZANG stallion by Catoki x Cassini II
SEAN JOBIN (CAN), Foxridge Farms Stables: 0/0/25.03
3. HELIOS VD NOSAHOEVE: 2012 KWPN stallion by Numero Uno x London
ALEX GRANATO (USA), Kisma Equestrian, LLC: 0/0/25.87
4. ANGELIKA HERO Z: 2012 ZANG mare by Aganix du Seigneur x Carthago Z
SAM WALKER (CAN), Claire Wen: 0/0/26.37
5. CASSINA 64: 2009 OLDBG mare by Collado x Locantus
RALEIGH HILER (USA), Kurt Hiler: 0/0/26.68
6. ORWELL SCF: 2014 BWP gelding by Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Heartbreaker
TANNER KOROTKIN (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 0/0/26.83
7. CALCIET EB Z: 2013 ZANG mare by Cornet Obolensky x Berlin
ALEXIS SOKOLOV (USA), Hot Horses LLC: 0/0/27.33
8. ETALON: 2009 KWPN gelding by Otangelo x Concorde
KYLE KING (USA), Christine Maclean: 0/0/27.40
9. CATINKA 25: 2009 OLDBG mare by Catoki x Luxano
VANESSA MANNIX (CAN), Vanessa Mannix: 0/0/27.40
10. HUMMER Z: 2014 KWPN gelding by Harley x Hemmingway
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/27.70
11. LOVELIGHT: 2011 HOLST stallion by Lord Z x Lordship
HILARY MCNERNEY (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/0/28.23
12. ELIANTE Z: 2013 ZANG mare by Ermindo W x Namelus R
TOMAS YOFRE (ARG), Stellium Sport Horses LLC: 0/0/28.26
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The Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA)
The Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA), a non-profit corporation, has as its main purpose the promotion and development of the sport of horse showing, primarily in the Hunter/Jumper, Western and Reining disciplines. These objectives are accomplished by setting the standards for showing on the West Coast and approving shows that meet these criteria.
Founded in 1946, the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association promotes the interests of owners and exhibitors, cooperates with exhibitors, officials, and management of competition, publicizes and advertises PCHA sanctioned shows, encourages and assists owners, exhibitors, and breeders of horses to maintain, develop and improve the quality of horses of the Hunter, Jumper, Western and Reining divisions.
