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Canadian show jumping riders made a clean sweep of the podium in the $2,250,000 MXN Veracruz Grand Prix during the final day of the CSIO 4* Coapexpan on April 26 in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
Elizabeth Gingras of Edmonton, Alta. earned a decisive win against a starting field of 40 riders from eight different countries aboard Zilversprings, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by B Gingras Equestrian Ltd. After a faultless performance over Brazilian FEI level 4 course designer, Guilherme Jorge’s first round track, which included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, Gingras was invited back as one of the top 10 riders to move on to the second round.
Gingras secured her win after being the only competitor to jump both rounds clear.
Finishing in second place was Kara Chad of Calgary, Alta., who also put in a clear effort in the first round, earning a spot back into the ring for the second round with Alberto II, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Stone Ridge Farms LLC. Although they had a single rail down for four faults in round two, Chad and Alberto II crossed the timers in 54.91 seconds, making them the fastest of the four fault performances.
Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, Ont. took third place riding Appy Cara, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Angelstone Partners. After posting a clear performance in the first round, Ballard incurred four faults in round two in a time of 54.89 seconds.
Impressively, Canada had two more riders finish in the top 10, with Jonathon Millar of Perth, Ont. taking sixth place riding Millar Brooke Farm’s 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, Calvin Klein, and Jaclyn Duff (Edmonton, Alta.) earning ninth place paired with her 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Pater Noster.
In addition, Keean White of Acton, Ont. had a third place finish earlier in the week on April 25 in the $525,000 MXN COPA FEM 1.50m with For Freedom Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Angelstone Partners.
The Canadian riders were led throughout the week at the CSIO 4* Coapexpan by Equine Canada Manager of Jumping, Karen Hendry-Ouellette, chef d’équipe, Mark Laskin and stable manager, Darren Roberts.
For complete results, click here.
