Hometown hero Hayley Mercer (CAN) is a perennial favourite in U25 competition, particularly with her longtime partner Crown Royal (aka “Gavin”). After nearly 10 years together, the pair knows exactly what to do over a tougher track and in good company come jump-off time.
On Sunday, they put their relationship on display in the 2025 Summer Fort Welcome at Thunder Show Park, taking the win in the $15,000 MarBill Hill U25, powered by Solaris Equestrian and protected by Western Pacific Emergency Response. The pair won the same class in May at tbird’s Canadian Premier.
“It’s nice to have such a long partnership because I know him like the back of my hand,” Mercer said of her relationship with the 15-year-old gelding, “Gavin.” “Seeing where pieces might go wrong for people, I can trust in our plan and trust that he’s going to do what I know he’s going to do.”
Mercer used their late draw in the order to her advantage in the nine-horse jump-off.
“I kind of ditched my [original] plan. His advantage is he has a monster stride. Anywhere I can leave out a stride I try to do so in a jump-off.”
Mercer did precisely that, subtracting strides everywhere she could, even when they weren’t part of her initial plan. Gavin covered the ground, made the lines look easy, and came home in a new leading time of 35.44 seconds, which held through the end of the class.
Their margin of victory was over three seconds faster, proving just how quick the pair can be. Finishing the class in second place was Declan Talla (USA) with Grand Blanc de Villa D’Arto for Molly Talla in 38.67 seconds, and Isabel Coxe finished third with the 5 Roosters entry Happy Time in 40.50 seconds.
The summer at Thunderbird Show Park has been a sweet homecoming for Mercer, who has spent the past two years riding abroad.
“I grew up in Langley and then I went down to Florida for the past few years working for Double H Farm,” she explained. “It’s my last U25 year so I came back to have a last hurrah. I’ll probably go back to Florida after September.”
No matter where Mercer is based, the one constant has been her partnership with Gavin.
“It’s the best feeling to have that kind of horse in your string,” she shared. “He’s so reliable, he’s the same horse every day, and I know him so well. It’s such an advantage to have that kind of bond, especially in big classes to have that kind of confidence backing you up.”
$15,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults/Time
- Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / Hayley Mercer / 0/0/35.44
- Grand Blanc de Villa D’Arto / Declan Talla / USA / Molly Talla / 0/0/38.67
- Happy Time / Isabel Coxe / USA / 5 Roosters / 0/0/40.50
- Connecticut / Amanda Sinnett / CAN / Amanda Sinnett / 0/0/40.83
- Laconiek / Declan Talla / USA / Molly Talla / 0/0/41.76
- Lien / Colby Winther Konig / CAN / Sorine Winther / 0/0/41.97
- Humosa / Emily Moffatt / CAN / Freedom Stables / 0/0/43.07
- Kimberly HX / Sahana Ganesan / USA / Sahana Ganesan / USA / 0/4/38.46
- Springsteen / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0/4/40.72
- Indiana II / Sloane Betker / CAN / Sloane Betker / 4/76.71
- Lattino / Katrina Komitsch / CAN / Katrina Komitsch / 4/79.61
- Ashtin’s Fabulas / Payton Roux / CAN / Kristen Russell / 8/73.80
