Team Henselwood Steals the Show

For the second year in a row, Canada's Jill Henselwood,(Oxford Mills, ON) laid claim to the "Spruce Meadows North American Championship"TM presented by CN at the conclusion of the Spruce Meadows North American CSI which took place July 6-10.

Henselwood and her eleven year old Oldenburg gelding Special Ed, were presented with the championship after finishing third in Sunday's $175,000 Chrysler Classic; a grueling test of bravery, stamina and athleticism.  With the use of a Chrysler vehicle for one year, courtesy of DaimlerChrysler Canada, $5,000 in fuel from Esso Imperial Oil and a $15,000 CN rider bonus, Henselwood's cash earnings reached the $80,000 mark for the four weeks of
competition.

"I must say, I've had a great run here," commented Henselwood.  "There is no better place to compete than at Spruce Meadows.  We as Canadians are very fortunate to have this kind of international, top notch competition right here in our own back yard."   

Henselwood's winning ways were contagious, as her student Kim Farlinger (Annan, ON) and her top mount del Destino captured the Gold Medal in the Molson Three Star Award.  Open to horse and rider combinations who have not yet ridden on a Nations Cup team, riders compete for a $3,000 first place bonus, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third by earning points over four weeks of international jumping.  Farlinger also earned the silver medal on her second horse, the talented mare Laforza.  Rounding out the top three in the bronze medal position was another Henselwood protégée, Kelley Small of Kanata, Ontario and her incredible grey gelding Calibur.  Small also finished a credible fifth place with Black Ice.

"Tournaments like the ones at Spruce Meadows are invaluable," continued Henselwood.  "My two top students Kim Farlinger and Kelley Small are gaining international exposure that used to take years to get.  They're really ahead of the game in that respect." 

The invaluable experience gained at Spruce Meadows was even more special to Farlinger and Small, as both have secured prestigious sponsorship agreements with Molson.  Joining a select group of riders on "Team Molson" the goal will be achieving a top thirty ranking in the Gandini World Rider Rankings. This type of encouragement from generous sponsors like Molson helps athletes reach their full potential, and hopefully a medal placing for Canada at the Beijing Olympic team and individual events. 

Henselwood, Farlinger and Small will travel to the east where their next stop is competing at the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament taking place in Nepean, Ontario, July 13-17.