Reigning Show Jumping Champion Wins Opening Phase of Canada Cup Championship

2002 Tournament of Champions

One of Canada’s top show jumping riders and reigning Canadian National Show Jumping Champion, Ainsley Vince of Milton, ON ignored the wet conditions at the Tournament of Champions on Friday to win the $25,000 Canada Cup Grand Prix over a field of 41 other competitors from across Canada, the United States, France and South America.

Only five horse/rider combinations advanced to the jump off, and the list read like the “who’s who” of the show jumping world. The invincible Eric Lamaze (Schomberg, ON) with two horses was joined by his wife, American show jumping rider Megan (Johnston) Lamaze on her newly acquired mount, Chardo. Jill Henselwood (Oxford Mills, ON), the first lady of Canadian show jumping, rounded out the top five.

Today’s class was the first phase of the Canada Cup Championship, with the final phase, the $75,000 Canada Cup presented by LG Electronics, Sunday at 2:00pm. The champion over the two phases will drive away in a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 convertible for the year.

Sunday’s roster of competitors will increase with the addition of the Canadian World Equestrian Games Team who have just returned from Jerez, Spain. Mac Cone (King, ON) with Cocu, Mark Samuel (Toronto, ON) with Darios V and Karen Cudmore (Omaha, NE) with Conejo were part of the Canadian Team which finished tenth out of 21 participating countries.

Earlier in the day, the talented young riders in the Next Generation Challenge contested the second phase of their competition. Francois Lamontane (QC) leads the standings, followed by Margie Sproule (Stouffville, ON) and Sydney Vince (Milton, ON).

Saturday’s feature events include two crowd-pleasing events – the Horse & Superdog Relay and the Audi Ride N Drive which will pair celebrities with top show jumping riders around an obstacle relay course in the Grand Prix ring. Later in the evening, fast and furious action continues as attendees at the Children’s Wish Charity Gala bid on a range of coveted silent and live auction items. All proceeds are dedicated to the Foundation which grants the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.


$25,000 Canada Cup Grand Prix Results:
1. Ainsley Vince, Milton, ON, Catch 22 0:0 34.66 secs.
2. Megan Lamaze, Schomberg, ON, Chardo 0:0 38.59
3. Eric Lamaze, Schomberg, ON, Kaatouch 0:0 40.01
4. Jill Henselwood, Oxford Mills, ON, Toyzrus 0:4 33.66
5. Eric Lamaze, Schomberg, ON, Rosina 0:4 33.73