November 10, 2005 – Toronto, Ontario – Cindy Ishoy claimed the Canadian League World Cup Dressage Final in front of a packed house Thursday evening at the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 83rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair running November 4-13, 2005, at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, ON.

Ishoy, riding her German-bred gelding Proton, earned a score of 71.70% to narrowly edge Evi Strasser, who scored 71.175%, into second place. By topping the five-horse starting field, Ishoy earned an invitation to be Canada’s sole representative at the 2006 World Cup Final next April in Amsterdam, NED. Ishoy remains the highest placed Canadian ever in World Cup Final competition, having placed second in 1988 riding her legendary Seoul Olympic Team Bronze Medal partner, Dynasty.

The Jerseyville, ON, resident opened the competition on Wednesday with a win in the Grand Prix after scoring 69.00%. That victory gave her the right to be the final competitor in the Ricoh Coliseum for Thursday evening’s Freestyle competition where riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice. Ishoy met her goal of being fun and contemporary, using music from the hit movie, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, as well as 50 Cents’ ‘Candy Shop’ for her final passage and piaffe tour. She and her 11-year-old German-bred gelding had more than 6,500 fans cheering as they danced their way to the win.

“That was close!” remarked Ishoy when she was told her score. “I was really pleased with his passage and piaffe, and his extended trot. Our Freestyle is technically very difficult, and a year ago I wouldn’t have had faith that he could do it.”

Strasser of Ste-Adele, QC, placed a close second with her 10-year-old chestnut Oldenburg gelding, Quantum Tyme. Strasser, who represented Canada earlier this year at the 2005 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, was happy with her horse’s performance, but frustrated at placing being the runner-up for the second year in a row.

“This is my life, to be close but not be there,” said Strasser wryly. “It’s a hard game. Cindy is a fantastic competitor, and it is good for me to compete against her. I couldn’t be happier with my horse’s performance, he was super, but I still hate to lose.”

Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON, put in a solid freestyle performance to earn a score of 68.875% riding Gran Gesto, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch. Riding to the Spanish guitar music of Canadian artist Jesse Cooke, Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON, and Ariston, a nine-year-old Ukrainian Warmblood gelding, placed fourth with 63.10%. Grand Prix newcomer, 22-year-old Whitney Harris of Burlington, ON, showed confidence in her Freestyle to earn a score of 56.525% riding Nektor, her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances, held as part of the 83rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, can be purchased through Ticketmaster at tel: 416 872-7777 or www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules, please visit www.royalfair.org.

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Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Cindy Ishoy Jerseyville, ON Proton 71.70%
2. Evi Strasser Ste-Adele, QC Quantum Tyme 71.175%
3. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Gran Gesto 68.875%
4. Nancy MacLachlan Terra Cotta, ON Ariston 63.10%
5. Whitney Harris Burlington, ON Nektor 56.525%