Capital Classic
Show Jumping Tournament
July 13-18, 2004

Five of the 20 horses that contested the test set by course designer Danny Foster of Milton, ON, advanced to the jump-off. Before the second jump-off round got underway, Eric Flameng of Belgium voluntarily withdrew his mount, the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Roxanne, to automatically take fifth place in the standings.

First back for the jump-off, things unraveled for France’s Yann Candele when Espresso Thyme had five obstacles down, as well as incurring 13 time faults, to finish fourth overall.

Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ, and Ratina Z were next in the ring, and would prove to be the only double clear of the day, putting in another perfect performance in a time of 55.43 seconds.

The only Canadian to advance to the jump-off, Chris Pratt of Terra Cotta, ON, was close to home and his time was looking good when the second-last fence on the jump-off course fell, giving him a total of four faults in a time of 53.39 seconds riding Rivendell, a Westphalian gelding owned by Susan Grange.

Already firmly in the driver’s seat, Barkley had the opportunity to beat himself with his second horse, Maestro. Unfortunately, a rail fell at fence two, but his quick time of 52.30 seconds moved him ahead of Pratt to finish second overall in the standings.

Over 700 horses are competing at the Capital Classic for more than $150,000 in prize money. The weekend’s featured events include the Rising Star competition for up-and-coming athletes at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the thrills of the $35,000 Jumping Derby at 2 p.m. Sunday brings the ever-popular $5,000 Horse and Dog Relay at 10 a.m. where horse/rider combinations team up with agility dogs from local clubs, as well as the Capital Classic’s flagship event, the sixth annual $75,000 ‘Big Ben’ Memorial Grand Prix, one of the richest grand prix events in the country, scheduled for 2 p.m.

In addition to world-class equestrian sport, the Capital Classic offers a wide variety of attractions for the whole family including the Antique Car Show, various equine displays and a thriving trade fair. The Nepean National Equestrian Park is located at the Moodie Drive exit off of the 417 Highway. Admission, including parking, is $7 Wednesday through Friday, and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit www.capitalclassic.ca.

Rider, Hometown, Horse, Faults, Time
1. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, Ratina Z, 0:0, 55.43
2. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, Maestro, 0:4, 52.30
3. Chris Pratt, Terra Cotta, ON, Rivendell, 0:4, 53.39
4. Yann Candele, France, Espresso Thyme, 0:33, 75.08
5. Eric Flameng, Belgium, Roxanne, 0:w/d