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Mario Deslauriers and Whistler won the $15,000 ATCO Jumping Derby on Friday, August 20, at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON.
Photo Credit - Yavuz |
August 20, 2010 – Ottawa, Ontario – Mario Deslauriers proved to be the best of the 23
entries attempting the $15,000 ATCO Jumping Derby on Friday at the
CSI2* National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON.
Course designer Catsy Cruz of Mexico set a true derby track that made use of the expansive grass field’s banks, ditches and water jumps. Of those who attempted the long, challenging course, only four managed to jump clear inside the 136 second time allowed to return for the jump-off.
Defending champion Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, was first back riding Goed Zo, her 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Unfortunately, the 1984 Olympic team gold medalist knocked down a rail mid-way through the shortened jump-off track for a final score of four faults in a time of 37.71 seconds.
Mario Deslauriers then took to the field with Whistler, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jane Clark. Partnered together this winter, the pair left all the rails in place in a time of 35.46 seconds to take the lead.
Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, attempted to make it two in a row, having won Thursday’s $32,000 Brookstreet/CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome. Despite leaving all the rails in place with Candidate du Marquet, Covert-Lawrence was one second off the pace, crossing the timers in 36.47 seconds.
Howard still had one more shot at defending her title, but her chances came to an abrupt end when Raimond W refused the first obstacle. Four faults for the refusal, as well as 47 time faults for exceeding the time allowed, left Howard in fourth place.
The win belonged to Deslauriers, a Canadian Show Jumping Team veteran who, after marrying American Lisa Silverman, began riding for the United States in 2009. The couple is based in New York City, and Lisa competed alongside her husband in the $15,000 ATCO Jumping Derby, placing tenth with Obelix R.
“Today the conditions were beautiful; the weather makes it or breaks it,” said Deslauriers who, on Thursday, opted not to compete in the $32,000 Brookstreet/CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome with his top horse Urico, his mount for the World Equestrian Games in September.
Interestingly, Whistler, his winning mount in the $15,000 ATCO Jumping Derby, is a son of Pitareusa, the horse of Yann Candele that has been short listed for Canada’s team at the World Equestrian Games.
“We bought Whistler in Florida this year, and it is fun to see because he looks like Pitareusa,” said Deslauriers, 44. “It is very interesting for people who follow the breeding.”
The 1984 World Cup winner commented of his win, “I’m trying to get my weekend started on a good note. It is fun to win; it puts a smile on your face. And this is a beautiful field to ride on, we love competing in Ottawa.”
Covert-Lawrence, 34, was also smiling about her eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare’s performance.
“It is a long way around and she’s never done a Derby before,” she said. “In the jump-off, she tripped pretty hard going to the last jump, but Mario is such a fast rider, he is hard to beat.”
With one major victory already to their credit this week, both Deslauriers and Covert-Lawrence will be fighting to win Saturday’s $118,000 Angelstone Productions Grand Prix, Presented by Brookstreet.
Beginning at 5 p.m., the $118,000 Angelstone Productions Grand Prix, Presented by Brookstreet, will be immediately followed by Blue Rodeo, live in concert, featuring Staggered Crossing. This unique venue at the Nepean National Equestrian Park offers top-level international show jumping and a music concert in an intimate setting. Tickets for Saturday’s event are available through www.CapitalTickets.ca and can be purchased at the gate. General parking is $10 and preferred parking is $20.
For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, please visit www.hayesco.ca.
$15,000 ATCO Jumping Derby – Final Results
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
1. Mario Deslauriers New York, NY Whistler 0:0 35.46
2. Angela Covert-Lawrence St. Lazare, QC Candidate du Marquet 0:0 36.47
3. Leslie Howard Westport, CT Goed Zo 0:4 37.71
4. Leslie Howard Westport, CT Raimond W 0:47 89.47
5. Sharn Wordley New Zealand Narcisse Riolettes 4
6. Andrew Bourns Ireland Gowran Park 4
7. Lauren Patava Toronto, ON Sly 4
8. Leslie Howard Westport, CT Jeans Glove Varnell 4
9. Karen Sparks Ottawa, ON Victoria 4
10. Lisa Deslauriers New York, NY Obelix R 4
