Ian Millar and In Style jumped double clear to secure victory for Canada in the $75,000 Nations' Cup, Presented by CN, in Wellington, Florida. Photo credit - Cealy Tetley, www.tetleyphoto.com

February 27, 2009 – Wellington, Florida – The Canadian Show Jumping Team claimed victory on Friday night, February 27, in the $75,000 Nations’ Cup, Presented by CN, held in Wellington, Florida.

The Canadian Team was comprised of Keean White of Cambridge, ON, Yann Candele of Nobleton, ON, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, and anchor rider Ian Millar of Perth, ON. It was Canada’s fourth victory in the seven-year history of the event.

Eight nations did battle in the annual Nations’ Cup, the only team event held in the United States. Following the first of two rounds, Canada was in third place with a score of six faults while Ireland and Great Britain were tied for the lead with four faults apiece.

In the format selected by the organizing committee, only three riders from each team returned for the second round. Chef d’equipe Terrance Millar elected to have White, who had incurred eight faults in the first round riding Lindsay Schiassi’s Celena Z, sit out while Candele, Lamaze and Millar returned for round two.

Having jumped clear in the first round in his Canadian debut, Candele had eight faults in the second round riding Mustique for owner Susan Grange.

Lamaze, the current Olympic Champion and number one ranked rider in the world, was next in the ring for Canada. Having provided a dramatic moment in the first round when the noseband on Hickstead’s bridle broke, resulting in a refusal, Lamaze returned to jump clear with one time fault.

Millar, a nine-time Olympian, then delivered his second clear round of the night for Canada riding his Olympic mount, In Style, also owned by Susan Grange. That gave Canada a final total of 15 faults, putting the pressure on the Irish. When Ireland’s anchor rider Darragh Kerins dropped a rail riding Night Train, the large contingent of Canadian fans erupted into cheers.

“You really feel alive when you are doing this work,” said Millar, 62. “I have enjoyed every team I have ever ridden on, and I have really enjoyed the spirit of the riders. To get this job done tonight, it took all of us, and I am really proud of this team.”

The final results saw Canada in first place with 15 faults while Great Britain and Ireland tied for second with 16 faults. The defending champions, the United States, finished fourth with 20 faults.