Rookie Within Striking Distance for Canadian Championship Title

Canada’s newest show jumping sensation, Kim Farlinger, has earned her way to within striking distance of the Canadian Championships title entering today’s final round, taking place in the Ricoh Coliseum at the Royal Horse Show.

Opening night at the 2004 edition of the Royal Horse show began with the highly contested first round of the Canadian Championships.  Riders are allotted penalty points based on their placing in the first round, and carry them into today’s final deciding round.

Holding down the lead, is eight time Canadian Champion, Ian Millar, and his newest mount, In Style, with two time Champion, Ainsley Vince, in second aboard Uno.  Surprising the remainder of the field, by finishing a close third, is twenty year old rookie, Kim Farlinger, and her nine year old powerhouse gelding, del Destino.

Farlinger has been enjoying an impressive grand prix debut this year, and has been holding her own at some of North America’s premier competitions.  Riding as an individual for Canada at the prestigious Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Alberta, Farlinger proceeded to hone her skills at the famed Washington International Horse Show last week.

“Riding at Spruce Meadows and then again at Washington was a real eye opener for me.  It’s one thing to jump at the Grand Prix level, but it’s entirely another to go to International competitions.  The Royal ranks high, and I really think that my previous experiences this year are helping me with the Championships,” commented Farlinger, who hails from Annan, Ontario.

Training with Canadian Team member, Jill Henselwood, for the past two years, Farlinger has enjoyed an upward swing into the top level of the sport.  “Kim is like a sponge, always taking everything in.  It doesn’t surprise me that she did so well in the first phase, she’s constantly trying to improve herself,” stated Henselwood.  “She is an excellent student of the sport and I believe she has every ability needed to get to the top.”

Farlinger goes into this evening with realistic expectations.  With former Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian team members at her heals, she knows it’s no “gimme”.  “I know how difficult tonight will be, and that I’m considered the underdog, but hey, at least I’m being considered,” smiled Farlinger.