November 5, 2004 – Toronto, Ontario – Eight-time Olympian Ian Millar opened Toronto’s Royal Horse Show with a win in the Canadian Show Jumping Championship, Phase 1.

A field of 21 of the country’s top show jumping competitors took to the Ricoh Coliseum in an attempt to win the National Championship crown. Millar proved, at age 57, that he is still a master of the sport, stopping the clocks at 54.21 seconds to finish more than three full seconds ahead of second-placed finisher, Ainsley Vince. While Millar of Perth, ON, has claimed the Canadian Show Jumping Championship title more times than any other rider, Vince, 28, enjoyed back-to-back victories in 2001 and 2002.

A new face in the Grand Prix ring, 20-year-old Kim Farlinger of Annan, ON, took third place riding Del Destino. Erynn Ballard of Hornby, ON, slipped into fourth position with Robin Van Roosendael while Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill, placed fifth with the fast Magdaline despite knocking one rail down to incur a four-second penalty.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela acted as the course designer, setting the perfect speed test for Round One of the $70,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championships. Round Two will take place during the Royal Horse Show afternoon performance on Saturday, November 6, and will be broadcast by CBC.

National Talent Squad – Phase 1
Carly Campbell Cooper of Elora, ON, claimed the opening phase of the National Talent Squad, used to identify future members of the Canadian Show Jumping Team. Riding Croft Temptation, the 22-year-old rider was one of just two riders to advance to the jump-off, prevailing over Laurie Bucci of Mont St. Hilaire, QC, who was aboard the one-eyed Catesko.

Tickets for all Royal Horse Show performances can be purchased through Ticketmaster at tel: 416 872-7777 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including complete schedules and results, please visit www.royalfair.org or call tel: 416 263-3400.

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Rider, Hometown, Horse, Time
1. Ian Millar Perth, ON In Style 54.21
2. Ainsley Vince Milton, ON Uno 57.53
3. Kim Farlinger Annan, ON Del Destino 60.41
4. Erynn Ballard Hornby, ON Robin Van Roosendael 61.33
5. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Magdaline 61.44
6. Eric Lamaze Schomberg, ON Laurain Z 61.98
7. Chris Pratt Terra Cotta, ON Nero 62.12
8. Jill Henselwood Oxford Mills, ON Special Ed 62.42
9. Mike Grinyer Campbellville, ON Alcatraz 63.40
10. John Pearce Stouffville, ON Champagne 63.47