Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, is leading the Seven and Eight-Year-Old National Young Horse Finals after two of three phases at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON. www.ShootPhoto.ca

September 24, 2010 – Palgrave, Ontario – Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, won the second phase of the Seven and Eight-Year-Old National Young Horse Finals on Friday, September 24, at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON.

Covert-Lawrence and Candidate du Marquet are leading the way in the Seven and Eight-Year-Old division of the Jump Canada National Young Horse Finals following the second of three phases. In Friday’s competition, a total of seven horses jumped clear over the challenging course set by Germany’s Christa Hiebach.

Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, took the lead in the jump-off with Viggo, her eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Quick Star, after posting a clear round in a time of 39.91 seconds. It took the final jump-off challengers, Covert-Lawrence and Candidate du Marquet, to beat her time, clocking in at 37.36 to claim victory.

In Thursday’s opening competition, Covert-Lawrence had placed second. Combined with Friday’s win, Covert-Lawrence and Candidate du Marquet now sit atop the standings for the national title to be decided on Sunday.

“Yesterday she was a bit fresh, so while she was double clear, I knew she could jump even better,” explained Covert-Lawrence who, along with her husband, equine dentist Mike Lawrence, operates Eastwood Equine Inc. in St. Lazare, QC. “Yesterday she was a little strong, but today she was fantastic!”

Based on her result from Thursday, Covert-Lawrence had the advantage of going last in the jump-off. Thursday’s competition was won by Roberto Teran riding Grand Finale 3E for breeder and owner KingRidge Stables of King City, ON.

“I think we all got lucky that Roberto was not in the jump-off,” laughed Covert-Lawrence of her follow competitor who has been dominating the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Young Horse competitions in Ontario this season. “There was an inside turn, and if Roberto had been in the jump-off, he would have done it. He is such a fast rider.”

Covert-Lawrence took over the ride on Candidate du Marquet in January for owner Alain Bolduc of Rosemere, QC. Of the eight-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood mare by Canadian River, Covert-Lawrence said, “She’s always been very consistent, and any mistakes she’s made all season have been from greenness. She’s grown a lot this summer. She is really little, but she thinks she is really big! She wants to win, and she knows what it is to win. It is like a human, she has that competitive instinct.”

While Underhill and Viggo settled for second, Michelle Vandal of Oakville, ON, took third place with VDL Viper H, her eight-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding that has developed through the Jump Canada Young Horse program. The pair was also clear in a time of 40.52 seconds.

Alejandro Karolyi of Venezuela placed fourth riding the Torrey Pines Stable entry of Damiro van ter Notelaere. Karolyi and the seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding crossed the timers in 40.72 seconds. The only other double clear performance belonged to Kim Farlinger of Spencerville, ON, and Caprice v/d Brouwershoeve, a seven-year-old German-bred mare, who had a time of 42.63 seconds to finish fifth.

In the Six-Year-Old division, Ainsley Vince of Milton, ON, took the win in the second phase of competition riding Utopie des Hautes for owner Ashford Farm while Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON was second with Sera, owned by Braeburn Farms. Karolyi and Zimo, owned by Torrey Pines Stable of Schomberg, ON, placed third.

In the second phase of the Five-Year-Old Division, Kelly Soleau took the win with her Canadian Sport Horse, Itty Bitty, over Underhill riding Cavendish. Chris Surbey took third with the Juniper Farms entry of Purple Rain.

The $5,000 Bioniche Jump Canada Talent Squad, Presented by MVS Solutions, was the final competition in the Grand Prix ring on Friday. Sarah Johnstone of Toronto, ON, claimed victory riding Leonidas for owner Trish Crang. The competition also served as the final event in the Eastern Division of the Jump Canada Talent Squad, with Margie Gayford of Sharon, ON, claiming the overall title with Winston, owned by Wingberry Farm of King City, ON.

The Canadian Show Jumping Tournament plays host to several year-end championship events including 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.

Combining a charity element with the show jumping tournament, 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.

Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
1. Angela Covert-Lawrence St. Lazare, QC Candidate du Marquet 0:0 37.76
2. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Viggo 0:0 39.91
3. Michelle Vandal Oakville, ON VDL Viper H 0:0 40.52
4. Alejandro Karolyi Venezuela Damiro van ter Notelaere 0:0 40.72
5. Kim Farlinger Spencerville, ON Caprice v/d Brouwershoeve 0:0 42.63
6. Yann Candele Caledon, ON Hudson 0:8 44.35
7. Laurie Bucci Carignan, QC Joe Louis 0:16 53.14
8. Laurie Bucci Carignan, QC Arabella 4