In fantasy football, a championship season often comes down to drafting the right sleeper pick. Braden James knows the feeling. The British Columbia native and fantasy football enthusiast (he recently drafted Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams) found his own hidden gem in the equestrian world—nine-year-old Selle Français gelding Hermes des Carmilles.
On Friday at Thunderbird Show Park’s BCHJA Fall Finale, James and Hermes des Carmilles took top honors in the CSI2* Winning Round 1.45m. The pair bested a field of 10 returning combinations, stopping the clock on Peter Holmes’ short course at 42.9 seconds.
“Everything turned up today, which was really nice,” said James. “We got the nine [stride] easy and then from the oxer to the green tbird oxer we had a great shot coming out, and I was able to really slice the last two verticals and full on gas to the last.”
James discovered the Kannan-sired gelding through a friend in France, and the partnership has been carefully cultivated at tbird over the past two years. The methodical approach has paid dividends.
“Last year he did a lot of 1.30m, 1.35m classes, because he’s definitely on the greener side,” James explained. “We jogged [for FEI] for the first time in May at tbird and directly out of the gate, he was second in two of the ranking classes. He spent the whole Summer Series doing some 1.30m, 1.40m, and now he’s stepping back up into the ranking [classes]. I think he’s one for the future for us here at Stump Lake Ranch.”
Friday’s 1.45m victory marks the career-best finish for the duo.
Kyle King and Ninja BF came closest to catching James’s time, ultimately slotting into second with a clear round in 43.54 seconds. Ayla Martinoff and Calloway finished third in 46.6 seconds.
The winner was quick to credit his partner’s personality and the team behind him.
“He’s awesome. He’s pretty chill. He has a little bit of ADD, so he’s always moving, always fidgeting, but he has a great character, easy to work with,” James said with a smile. “He doesn’t love his baths, but luckily he’s found his person in [groom] Paige Mathison, who does an awesome job.”
International competition continues Saturday at tbird with the $62,500 CSI2* Grand Prix 1.45m. Tickets are available at tbird.ca/tickets.
CSI2* Winning Round 1.45m Top 10
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Nation | Owner | Faults | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hermes des Carmilles | Braden James | CAN | Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd | 0/0 | 42.9 |
| 2 | Ninja BF | Kyle King | CAN | Richard Kirby | 0/0 | 43.54 |
| 3 | Calloway | Ayla Martinoff | CAN | Ayla Martinoff | 4/0 | 46.6 |
| 4 | Beneficial | Alicia Gadban-Henaut | CAN | Alicia Gadban-Henaut | 4/0 | 48.04 |
| 5 | Earthquake MXL Z | Jamie Gornall | GBR | Cherokee Show Horses Inc | 0/0 | 49.34 |
| 6 | Con Amore | Francisco Lomelin | MEX | Francisco Lomelin | 0/4 | 43.59 |
| 7 | T Chacoon van de Ultrahoeve | Francisco Lomelin | MEX | Francisco Lomelin | 4/4 | 43.75 |
| 8 | Raisienne van de Padenborre | Reagan Tomb | USA | Kent Farrington LLC | 2/4 | 45 |
| 9 | Constanze PS | Angel Karolyi | VEN | Karolyi Partners | 0/8 | 45.09 |
| 10 | BP Lady Masterpiece | Tracey Epp | CAN | Tracey Epp | 0/8 | 51.5 |
Photo credit: Kady Dane Photography
