August 22, 2004 – Collingwood, Ontario – Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, topped the field with a win in the $25,000 Scotia Private Client Group Grand Prix, Presented by the Town of Collingwood, on August 22 to cap off the 2004 Collingwood Horse Show in Collingwood, ON.

In the first round, seven riders managed faultless performances over the track set by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico to advance to the jump-off. In an exciting contest that saw the lead change hands as the times got quicker and quicker, Underhill grabbed top spot as the second last rider to challenge and held on for victory.

Riding Magdaline, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Ahorn, Underhill posted a clear round in a time of 43.82 seconds to take over the lead from Chris Pratt of Terra Cotta, ON, and Markant who had posted a time of 45.57 seconds. Pratt had the opportunity to reclaim his lead as the final rider on course, but two rails down with Nero dashed those hopes.

“It was a very good jump-off, it was fast and had a lot of options - that was where it really got exciting!” laughed Underhill, 41. “I was second last to go, which is a nice spot to be in, and I knew what I had to do. My horse was careful and I was able to be fast because she is naturally quick on the turns. Chris Pratt and Nero were still to follow, so my strategy was to be quite fast and make him come after me.”

Underhill could not be caught, and Pratt finished the day as the runner-up with Markant, Susan Grange’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The only other rider to post a second clear round in the jump-off was Margie Gayford riding Stuntman. As the lead-off rider, Gayford opted for a steady clear in a time of 49 seconds.

With the fastest four fault effort in the jump-off, Canadian Olympian Mac Cone of King, ON, just one day shy of his 52nd birthday, placed fourth with Chadburn Holdings’ 13-year-old selle francais gelding, Darios V. Also incurring four faults was Roberto Teran of Colombia who placed fifth aboard Polyfax, a 12-year-old Westphalian stallion owned by KingRidge Stables, and John Kersley of Newington, ON, who was sixth riding his own nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Moritze. Pratt and Nero, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding also owned by Susan Grange, rounded out the jump-off in seventh position.

The win in Collingwood marked Underhill’s second grand prix victory on the Canadian show jumping circuit this summer with Magdaline, having also claimed victory in June in the $60,000 World Cup Qualifier in Bromont, QC. Owned by Darryl B. Williams and Associates Inc., Magdaline was discovered by Underhill as a six-year-old in the Netherlands and the pair began competing at the grand prix level mid-way through 2003.

“She’s a bit of a tricky mare in that she is a bit sensitive, and everything has to be going her way,” explained the Canadian Olympian who, interestingly, celebrated her victory on the same day as opening round competition in the Olympic show jumping events in Athens, Greece. “When she believes in herself and trusts me, she is super and a lot of fun to ride!”

The Collingwood Horse Show is organized by two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes, and his wife, Shawn. All three daughters - Lauren, 24, Ainsley, 22, and Regan, 19, also play vital roles, making the event a true family affair. For more information, please visit www.collingwoodhorseshow.com

$25,000 Scotia Private Client Group Grand Prix, Presented by the Town of Collingwood