Competition Continues at Kubota Collingwood Classic

Mario Deslauriers continued his recent successes Friday by winning two classes in the Grand Prix ring at the Kubota Collingwood Classic.  He and Paradigm, an 11-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding which took him to second place in last Sunday’s World Cup Qualifier at Collingwood, won the $10,000 Open Welcome by being the only duo to put in a clear round.

Lauren Hayes, Ainsley Hayes and Randal Carpenter present Mario Deslauriers and Paradigm with the red ribbon for their win in the $10,000 Open Welcome. Photo © Janus Communications Inc

Earlier in the day Deslauriers, of Bromont, QC won the 7 & 8 Year Old Championship Classic with Tiffany 241, an 8-year-old Holsteiner mare.  “The horses are jumping great.  It makes my life much easier when you have a few nice horses,” said Deslauriers.  “It’s nice because I’ve got three that can jump the grand prix.”

Deslauriers will be taking Paradigm, Naomi, a 10-year-old mare and Graflando, an 8-year-old Hannoverian, all recent acquisitions, to the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in September after being selected by the Canadian Equestrian Team to ride there.

Greg Kuti of Schomberg, ON won Friday’s Rising Star class with Optimaal, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that has brought him back to the grand prix ring this year after a several-year hiatus.  “It’s about time I won one!” said Kuti, who said he usually sells the horses he develops before they get to the grand prix level.  “What I learned from last Sunday I applied today,” he said, noting that he was pleased with how Optimaal jumped in the World Cup Qualifier.  “We’re prepared for the $60,000 Kubota Cup on Sunday.”

Competition continues Saturday and Sunday at Fisher Field with over 700 riders and horses competing in the four rings.  The pony riders finish up competition in the hunter ring Saturday.  Sunday the $60,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix will bring ten-days of the Collingwood Horse Shows to an end for the 19th year. 

Other weekend events of interest to visitors include an autograph session with some of Canada’s top show jumping riders Saturday at 11:30am at the Kubota Display Tent.  New Canadian singing talent Craig McIntyre will be on site performing selections from his new CD, which includes the Kubota Cup theme song, “Along For The Ride”.  “The Walk”, a trade fair with many products to view and buy, food concessions, and a magician and face painter on the weekend are also on the entertainment line-up.  Admission on Saturday including parking is $5 per car and on Sunday it is $10 per car. Visit www.collingwoodhorseshow.com and www.kubotacup.ca.

Results Highlights for Friday, August 19, 2005
Kubota Collingwood Classic - Collingwood, ON

$10,000 Open Welcome Stake
1. Paradigm/Mario Deslauriers (Bromont, QC) 
2. Air of Gold/Lauren Hunkin (Perth, ON)
3. Redefin/Ian Millar (Perth, ON) 
4. Darvin Garbo/Hendrik Gundersen (Wellington, FL) 
5. Magdaline/Beth Underhill (Schomberg, ON) 
6. Karolus K/Melissa Brown (Claremont, ON)

Rising Star
1. Optimaal/Greg Kuti (Schomberg, ON)
2. Taboo’s Iveena S/Elissa Reisman (Toronto, ON) 
3. Roxette Delores/Jennifer Gray (Owen Sound, ON)
4. Olympia/Natalie Smith (Claremont, ON)
5. Finn M’Cool/Cathy Inch (Chelmsford, ON)
6. Quebec/Sven Frei (Arva, ON)

7 & 8 Year Old Championship Classic
1. Tiffany 241/Mario Deslauriers (Bromont, QC) 
2. Ranville/Frankie Chesler (Orangeville, ON) 
3. South Wind/Elizabeth Gayford (Stouffville, ON)
4. picolien Zeldenrust/Frankie Chesler (Orangeville, ON) 
5. Mystical Sprite/Beth Underhill (Schomberg, ON) 
6. De Lempicka/Miranda Fisher (Cambridge, ON)