Orangeville’s Frankie Chesler-Ortiz riding Stevie Wonder won the first phase of competition in the Five-Year-Old Division of the Jump Canada National Young Horse Finals held Wednesday, September 22, at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON.

September 22, 2010 – Palgrave, Ontario – The Canadian Show Jumping Tournament opened on Wednesday, September 22, at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON.

Nine-time Olympian Ian Millar of Perth, ON, took victory in the first competition, the $1,000 1.35m Welcome. Millar guided Assini to victory and also placed third riding Romanov. Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, squeezed between Millar’s two horses to take second place riding Marpi de Blondel.

Hugh Graham of Schomberg, ON, won the $1,500 1.40m Welcome riding Airborne for owner Julie Firestone. 2008 Olympic silver medalist Jill Henselwood filled the next three spots, placing second with Beau Soleil, third with George, and fourth with IV Ever.

Melissa Brown of Toronto, ON, topped a large field to win the 1.30m Junior/Amateur competition with Willis. She edged out Connecticut’s Kelly Soleau who placed second riding Vianco v/d Rampaarden.

“It is a great way to start the week,” said Brown, who was a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. “My horse feels great, and he jumped really well. It has been a pleasure bringing him along to this point. I’ve had him since he was four, and we did some of the Young Horse classes and then moved him up through the junior/amateur ranks.”

Brown described her seven-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by Oklund by saying, “He is very athletic, and he has a very vibrant personality, a lot of character. He likes to show us how good he feels some days!”

In addition to her success in the show jumping ring, Brown is also looking forward to Thursday’s OHJA Ultimate Hunter Challenge. Athos, a horse bred by her family, will compete with Brown’s younger sister, Sarah, making the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament a true family affair.

“I like that it has a good atmosphere, everything is a little dressed up, the classes are important, and it is good for the sponsors,” said Brown of the international show jumping competition.

Susan Horn of Toronto, ON, took first and second place in the 1.40m Junior/Amateur competition, winning with Playboy du Trichot and finishing second with Vodka. Ottawa’s Karen Sparks was third with Ferraro K.

The first phase of competition in the Jump Canada National Young Horse Finals was also held on opening day for Five and Six-Year-Olds. The $3,000 Six-Year-Old class was topped by Yann Candele riding Callirado for owner Susan Grange. Quebec based riders took the next two placings with Francois Lamontagne and Independence Day 3E, owned by Mudstyle Inc., placing second and Melissandre Lincourt taking third riding S-Class for owner Southshore Farm.

In the Five-Year-Old Division, Stevie Wonder saw his way to the top of the class. Ridden by Orangeville’s Frankie Chesler-Ortiz for owner Mill Creek Stables of Cambridge, ON, Stevie Wonder edged out EWSZ’s Jerevel, ridden by Miro Frei, and third placed finisher Itty Bitty, owned and ridden by Kelly Soleau. In total, $51,000 in prize money is up for grabs for horses aged five, six, and seven and eight.

Thursday marks the first phase of competition in the $100,000 Caledon Cup, comprised of the $20,000 Aviva Elite Caledon Cup Phase 1 on Thursday, the $30,000 Peel Maryborough Caledon Cup Phase 2 on Saturday, and the grand finale, the $50,000 Caledon Cup Phase 3 on Sunday. Course designer Christa Hiebach of Germany will set the tracks in the grand prix arena throughout the week.

The CSJT plays host to the Eastern Regional Finals of the CET Medal for riders aged 21 and under, as well as the $5,000 Eastern Canadian Final of the Jump Canada Talent Squad. The CSJT will also offer the $2,500 1.40m Classic, the $2,500 1.30m Classic, and Hunter Classics for all divisions.

The annual Children’s Wish Celebration will be held on Saturday, September 25, and will feature live and silent auctions, dinner and live music, and an expanded charity casino with a Monte Carlo theme.

For more information on the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, please visit www.equiman.com. Follow the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CdnSJT.