June 11, 2006 – Cannes, France – Canada's Tonya Henning enjoyed victory at the CSI4* Cannes International Show Jumping Tournament held June 8-10 in Cannes, France.

Just four days after winning the 1.40m Amateur Large Tour at CSI4* Wiesbaden, Germany, with Mill Creek Sparky, Henning piloted Mill Creek Rosalinde to the win in the €6,000 Prix de la Ville de Cannes on June 9.  From a 34-horse starting field, Henning was riding out of 21st position. With a clear jump-off time of 38.03 seconds, Henning was narrowly able to stay ahead of Joanne Sloan Allen of Ireland who stopped the clock at 38.08 seconds.

"We were fast and able to make the inside turns everywhere, and Rosalinde was jumping great," said Henning of her 11-year-old black Hannoverian mare. "Also, I found it interesting that I was 21st in the order of go on the same day that I was celebrating my 21st birthday. I think it was a sign that it was going to be my day!"

On Saturday, Henning turned in another strong performance, this time riding Mill Creek Sparky. In the €12,000 Eurodocument Prix, Henning was one of ten competitors to turn in a clear round and qualify for the jump-off with her eight-year-old Canadian-bred gelding.

"I was the seventh rider back for the jump-off, and Rodrigo had me do two inside turns that no one else had done," Henning explained of her coach's advice. "It was great, and we turned in a very fast time. Unfortunately, the woman who went after me had watched me go, and she decided to copy my plan. She had a very fast horse, and was able to catch my time."

While Cecile Bensadoun of France emerged the winner, Henning earned €2,400 for her second-place finish.

"Both of my horses were great!" praised Henning. "Rosalinde is so fresh and very happy, and Sparky is just unbelievable!"

Henning of Cambridge, ON, has been in Europe since the middle of May, training with current Olympic Show Jumping Champion Rodrigo Pessoa at his base in Brussels, Belgium. Having now successfully competed at CSI4* Hamburg and CSI3* Wiesbaden, both in Germany, and CSI4* Cannes, France, Henning and her horses will enjoy a week's rest before contesting the CSI4* Monte Carlo in Monaco from June 22-25. She will then return to Canada and hopes to represent Ontario for the second consecutive year at the North American Young Riders' Championship held August 2-6 in Lexington, VA.

In Canada, Henning is based at Mill Creek Stables in Cambridge, ON. Located less than an hour southwest of Toronto, Mill Creek Stables is one of Canada’s largest sport horse breeding operations and sales barns, offering prospects in a variety of disciplines to suit all budgets. For more information, please visit www.millcreekstables.com, e-mail: phenning@millcreekstables.com or call (519) 240-6900.