July 16, 2006 – Ottawa, Ontario – Alana Aird of Oakville, ON topped the 'Classic Hunter Pony Challenge' at the 'KUBOTA' Capital Classic Horse Show held July 12-16 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.

Aird received a total score of 170 after completing the two rounds of the $2,000 Hunter Pony Classic aboard her nine-year-old British Riding Pony/Welsh-cross, Beaverwood's Tiffany. Aird piloted the scopey large pony through the initial round, earning a score of 79, then returned for the second round to receive 81, the highest score of the class.

"Our rounds were very good," said the 16-year-old rider, who also placed well earlier in the day in the Large Pony Hunter division, receiving a third, fourth, fifth and two sevenths. "They were the best that Tiffany has ever done, she really helped me out."

Aird's coach, Claudia Wagner Wilson of Silver Spring Farm, also saw another student secure second place in the Classic Hunter Pony Challenge. Alyssa Smith-Avery of Orangeville, ON, rode No Worries, the former mount of her older sister, Natasha, to second place. Smith-Avery scored 71 in the initial round and 80 in the second round for a combined score of 158. No Worries also carried his regular rider, Paige Thomas, to the Medium Pony Hunter Championship, and to the overall Grand Pony Champion title.

Placing third with a total score of 154 was Kristin Goraieb and her large pony, Wake Up Call. Finishing a close fourth with a total score of 153 was local Ottawa area competitor, Taylor Mulligan aboard the veteran small pony, OKC, owned by Patty Markell.

"My rounds went really well and were very organized and, overall, I thought the scoring in the Classic Pony Challenge was very reasonable," commented Mulligan who lives in Merrickville, ON.

Located in Ottawa’s west-end at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament attracts more than 10,000 spectators annually. Admission is $10 per person on Sunday with children 12 and under admitted free. For more information, please visit www.capitalclassic.ca.

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Rider Pony Total Score
1. Alana Aird Beaverwood's Tiffany 160
2. Alyssa Smith-Avery No Worries 158
3. Kristin Goraieb Wake Up Call 154
4. Taylor Mulligan OKC 153
5. Emma House Bayview Hi-hope 152.5
6. Alyssa Smith-Avery Northwind Starbucks 150