Rich Fellers and Flexible Photo by Totem Photographics

August 23, 2009 – Langley, BC – Since the Olympics, awareness of Canadian equestrian sport is on the rise, giving Langley’s Thunderbird Show Park more opportunity to show off its world-class facility. The Park’s $55,000 Warsteiner World Cup Grand Prix welcomed show jumpers from BC, Alberta, Montana, Washington, Oregon and California. Among the field of 23 competitors were former Canadian Olympian John Anderson and one of the fastest speed teams in the world, Rich Fellers and his mount, Flexible.

The first round of competition was challenging as riders negotiated international course designer Olaf Petersen Jr.’s efforts.

“It’s a tough course that incorporates many natural elements and some very large fences,” noted Petersen. “It’s quite a good field of riders and I expect several clear rounds.”

Rails at the first fence put almost a third of the riders out with a gymnastic triple combination and a wide set Warsteiner fence proving difficult for many others. Several riders went clear, but suffered time faults, like Calgary’s Emily George with Quidam’s Ramiro.

Four riders advanced to the jump off, putting Washington’s Jennifer Crooks on SF Sadin into the ring first, but a rail mid-course knocked her out of the running. Rich Fellers was next, galloping the first few fences, collecting for the combination and then opening it up again for a quick finish. His time of 34.05 proved impossible to beat.

Always fast in the jump off, Fellers felt the pressure to push just a little harder as the winning pair from Friday's Grand Prix, John Anderson and Terrific, were next into the ring.

“Knowing another fast rider is following you into the ring changes the plan,” said Fellers.

Anderson took his cue from Fellers, galloping through much of the course and taking some tight turns that sent the sod flying, but his time of 34.67 was just off the pace.

“Rich and I have been battling it out all summer,” laughed Anderson. “I’ve been jumping well and I thought this would be a good warm up going into September.”

Anderson will represent Canada in the Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament next month in his hometown of Calgary. Having first catapulted onto the international stage at 19 and riding for Canada in the 1988 Olympics, Anderson is finding a second shot at international success with his gelding, Terrific.

1. Rich Fellers - Flexible - double clear - 34.05
2. John Anderson - Terrific - double clear - 34.67
3. Christina Marlin - Lakey - double clear - 39.27
4. Jennifer Crooks - SF Sadin - 4 faults - 38.04
5. Emily George - Quidam's Ramiro
6. Jeff Campf – London
7. Kendall Bourgeois - Bon Figlioli
8. Bryna Closson - Rip Tide
9. Emily George – Ramila
10. Christopher Lowe – Jackpot
11. Jennifer Crooks - SF Shakira
12. Gary Brewster - Royal Viali

The final tournament of the season gets underway starting August 19 and runs through to the 23rd with the Keg Grand Prix. For schedules, directions and other details, visit www.thunderbirdshowpark.com.