Rich Fellers and Flexible Photo by Totem Photographics

August 25, 2009 – Langley, BC – Thunderbird Show Park’s international show jumping competition wrapped up this weekend in Langley. As the biggest tournament of the season, it drew riders from across North America with over $150,000 in prize money.

After dominating the weekend events, Oregon’s Rich Fellers was the one to beat going into Sunday afternoon’s $75,000 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Grand Prix.

Finishing first and second on Flexible and Kilkenny Rindo in Friday night’s $25,000 Tommy Bahama Grand Prix and then taking the top three spots in The Province $10,000 Speed Challenge on Saturday with Banba, Colgan Cruise and McGuinness, he seemed unbeatable.

“I work hard at it, I’ve been doing it a long time, but a lot comes down to the horse,” noted Fellers. “I’ll ride the course differently in strides and approaches to accommodate each horse as best I can.”

International course designer, Peter Holmes, included two water elements and a deceptively difficult triple combination for Sunday’s event.

When asked about the difficulty, Holmes smiled. “It’s tough. It’s $75,000 tough!”

And tough it was. Ireland’s Jennifer Crooks was fast, but had a rail mid-course, while last year’s winner, Richmond’s Gary Brewster, tapped a fence in the triple on Royal Viali.

A field of 20 riders challenged the course, with just three horses posting a clear round. Fellers on both Kilkenny Rindo and Flexible joined Calgary’s Emily George on Quidam’s Ramiro for the jump off.

In the ring on Kilkenny Rindo to start, Fellers knocked the first fence down, but went on to deliver a solid ride and a time of 39.78. George and Quidam’s Ramiro had a perfect round going until coming into the final fence with a little too much steam and posting four faults.

“It’s easy to make a mistake, but that one was painful,” said George.

Fellers and his Irish stallion, Flexible were the final competitors.

“I was in a great position,” explained Fellers. “I had to be faster than Emily’s 48.02 and leave all the fences up.”

Delivering a smooth and flawless ride, the pair, one of the world’s fastest, brought home the win with a clear round and a time of 45.34.

At 13 years of age, Flexible has twice made a comeback to the show ring, first after surgery for a blocked artery and then again after a broken shoulder.

In 2008, Fellers took Flexible to Sweden for the Rolex FEI World Cup, placing second and delivering the best US finish in over two decades. Like Ian Millar and Big Ben or Canadian gold medalist, Eric Lamaze and Hickstead, the bond between horse and rider is strong for Fellers.

“There have been two or three great horses in my career so far,” said Fellers. “Is he the best? He’s working his way up to it.”

Rider Horse Round 1 Round 2
1. Rich Fellers Flexible 78.86 / 0 faults 45.34 / 0
2. Rich Fellers Kilkenny Rindo 80.36 / 0 39.78 / 4
3. Emily George Quidam’s Ramiro 83.12 / 0 48.02 / 4
4. Jennifer Crooks SF Sadin 76.77 / 4
5. Andrea Harris Gyro 77.14 / 4
6. Bryna Closson Rip Tide 77.23 / 4
7. Gary Brewster Royal Viali 82.59 / 4
8. Cara Anthony Romeo 86.01 / 5

Thunderbird Show Park will host several equestrian and trade events over the fall and winter months before starting the 2010 season up in May. Visit www.thunderbirdshowpark.com for information and event listings.