Photo by Horsephotostore.com

August 26, 2008 – Langley, BC – There were more than a few puddles, but a brave field of 23 riders took to the Grand Prix field on Sunday afternoon for the $75,000 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Grand Prix. Local riders, used to the wet weather, owned the day as Richmond’s Gary Brewster beat Langley’s Andrea Strain for the top prize.

Jonathan Asselin, fresh from the Beijing Olympics, was joined by World Cup contender, Rich Fellers, and a group of riders from across North America, including Canadian World Cup rider, Darrin Dlin, California’s Julia Koetting, Bryna Closson from Whitefish, Montana, and 2012 Olympic hopeful Emily George from Calgary.

The rain came down as the first rider, Andrea Strain and Novalis, entered the ring, making a splash with each footfall. Despite the weather, Strain delivered a clear round, jumping the final fence with no stirrups after a heavy landing from fence 11b. “That’s why I practice with no stirrups!” Strain said with a smile as she left the ring.

Gary Brewster and Royal Viali were the next to post a clear round, guaranteeing a jump off. Jonathan Asselin, wearing his signature Canadian helmet from the Olympic Games, was making excellent time through the course until a rail at fence 9 put him out of the jump off.

Rich Fellers chose to leave Flexible in the barn, bringing his other Grand Prix mount, Gyro, into the ring. The pair were clear into the triple combination, but took the center fence down to match Asselin’s four fault round. Darrin Dlin also finished with four faults, taking a rail mid-course, while Emily George and Quidam’s Ramiro had a clean round and two time faults, guaranteeing her third place.

International Course Designer Peter Holmes shifted a few fences going into the jump off to give the two riders the best footing possible. Strain led off with a careful round, giving the combination a good rub before finishing clear with three time faults. With the final ride advantage, Brewster was able to better her time and go clear to claim first place and the lion’s share of the $75,000.

Brewster is based at Twin Oaks Farm in Richmond, BC, and is a regular on the Grand Prix circuit with Royal Viali and his other gray, Watermark. In 2007, he was named to the Canadian Show Jumping Team Short List after a successful season that included a second place finish in the $75,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and a win at the $40,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix in Edmonton.

1. Gary Brewster Richmond Royal Viali
2. Andrea Strain Langley Novalis
3. Emily George Calgary Quidam’s Ramiro
4. Jonathan Asselin Calgary Lolita
5. Joell Froese Abbotsford Condor
6. Darrin Dlin Florida Catwalk
7. Alexander Grayton Calgary Gran Duca
8. Andrea Strain Langley Zeline

The $75,000 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Grand Prix closes out the Summer Festival Tournament at Thunderbird Show Park and marks the end of the outdoor show season. Thunderbird will host the indoor International Tournament in October before turning their operations towards winter tradeshows and preparations for another big season in 2009. For more information on what’s going on at Thunderbird, visit www.thunderbirdshowpark.com.

For more information on Thunderbird Show Park, contact Pamela Saunders at Mark My Words PR via phone at 604-833-3372 or by email at pam@markmywordspr.com.