Hugh Graham of Schomberg, ON, riding Executive Privilege 3E won the opening phase of the $100,000 Caledon Cup on Thursday, September 22, at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON. Photo By Cealy Tetley

September 22, 2011 – Palgrave, ON – Hugh Graham of Schomberg, ON, won the opening leg of the three-phase $100,000 Caledon Cup held Thursday, September 22, at the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament (CSJT) in Palgrave, ON.
 
The $100,000 Caledon Cup, presented by Aviva Elite, Peel Maryborough, and RAM Equestrian, is held over three phases.  Thursday’s opening phase was the $20,000 Aviva Elite/Peel Maryborough Phase I, which saw 29 horse-rider combinations attempt to take the early lead in the Caledon Cup standings, which concludes Sunday.
 
A total of 12 horses jumped clear over the Leopoldo Palacios-designed course to return for the jump-off.  Local rider Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, was only the second rider to tackle the shortened jump-off track.  Known as an exceptional speed rider, Candele set the mark by guiding the nine-year-old mare Carlotta Singular La Magnifica to a clear round in a time of 41.15 seconds for owner Susan Grange of Cheltenham, ON.
 
Just as Candele’s time was starting to look unbeatable, Graham made a daring inside cut that no one else had attempted.  The gamble paid off, and Graham and Executive Privilege 3E stopped the clock in 40.01 seconds to move to the top of the leader board.  Only two horses followed, but both incurred four faults in their attempt to catch Graham.
 
“He’s a handy horse,” said Graham of the 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse owned by KingRidge Stables of King City, ON.  “That is one of his strengths.  You think it and he does it.”
 
Graham’s mount, Executive Privilege 3E, was bred by KingRidge Stables and is by Graham’s former grand prix mount, Class Action, out of a Galaxy 3E mare.  Graham has trained Executive Privilege 3E throughout his show jumping career, and affectionately refers to him as ‘Ernie’ around the barn.
 
In 2009, Graham and Executive Privilege 3E were the winners of inaugural Caledon Cup and, with the first phase completed, are leading the way towards a second career victory.
 
“We’re going to keep trying,” said Graham of his hopes of once again hoisting the Caledon Cup.  “Winning isn’t everything, but trying sure is!”
 
KingRidge Stables also came out on top in the $10,000 OHJA Ultimate Hunter Challenge, where $5,000 was awarded in the Four and Five-Year-Old Division and $5,000 in the Six and Seven-Year-Old Division.  Karma 3E, owned by KingRidge Stables and ridden by Darcy Hayes of Aurora, ON, won the Four and Five-Year-Old Division with Graham receiving special recognition as the trainer.  In the Six and Seven-Year-Old division, Recital d’Oreal, owned by Katy Hughes and piloted by Colombia’s Roberto Teran, emerged victorious.  Mark Hayes of Caledon, ON, was the winning trainer.
 
Over 700 horses are competing at the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).  At this special event, competition and charity come together.  Over the past two years, the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament has raised more than $70,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada and has granted the wish for a horse to two lucky recipients.  In keeping with this tradition, the Children’s Wish Foundation will once again be the beneficiary of this year’s Canadian Show Jumping Tournament.
 
A Children’s Wish Celebration will be held on Saturday, September 24, and will feature a luncheon with live and silent auctions, followed in the evening by the Children’s Wish BBQ and Dance.
 
The Family Village, open Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, will feature entertaining and educational interactive displays and attractions.  Children will also have the chance to participate in the Foxbury Farm Horseless Horse Show, where they can jump kid-sized obstacles on foot.  New this year is a public tombola, where people can buy tickets and win great prizes on the spot.
 
Gate proceeds from the 2011 Canadian Show Jumping Tournament will go to support the Palgrave Rotary and other local charities.
 
For more information on the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, please visit www.equiman.com.
 

 
            Rider                                    Hometown                     Horse                                 Faults     Time
1.         Hugh Graham                      Schomberg, ON             Executive Privilege 3E         0:0       40.01
2.         Yann Candele                       Caledon, ON                  Carlotta Singular                  0:0       41.15
3.         Jay Hayes                             Orangeville, ON             Leonidas                              0:0       41.90
4.         Ian Millar                             Perth, ON                       In Style                                0:0       42.04
5.         Angela Covert-Lawrence     St. Lazare, QC               Unica                                    0:0       43.70
6.         Ian Millar                             Perth, ON                       Star Power                           0:0       43.76
7.         Angela Covert-Lawrence     St. Lazare, QC               Utan                                     0:0       44.41
8.         Amy Millar                           Perth, ON                       Top Gun                               0:0       45.17
9.         Amy Millar                           Perth, ON                       Costa Rica Z                        0:0       47.80
10.       Miranda Travers-Cavill        Claremont, ON              Legende de B’Neville          0:4       43.96
11.       Ian Millar                             Perth, ON                       Dryden                                 0:4       45.12
12.       Roberto Teran                      Colombia                        Vortex                                  0:4       51.40