Author: Carley Sparks

Langley, BC – On the final day of the BCHJA Fall Finale at Thunderbird Show Park, Kassidy Keith (CAN) stood in a familiar place—at the top of the U25 division.

Last year’s MarBill Hill U25 League champion, Keith and her 9-year-old stallion Fenelon WF produced the only clear round in the CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m to take the victory. The win clinched her the series title for the second year in a row.

With no jump-off necessary, Jarne Francken (BEL) and Gogolinus finished second as the fastest four-faulters from the first round (78.58). Emily Fitzgerald (CAN) and Coco du Houlbec Z finished third (4/80.56).

“For me, at the start of the year, this [series] wasn’t a goal of mine. I thought we would maybe get there at the end of the year,” Keith said. “[Fenelon WF] really flourished over the summer. “He had a day off [yesterday], and today—you can tell when he comes into the warm-up ring [that he’s ready]—he’s a little cheeky. He always puts 110 percent into it; he never gives minimum effort.”

With Sunday’s class serving as the series finale, Keith quickly understood she was walking a technical track, and when “Flex” jumped into the five-strided line at fence four, he spooked off the ground, requiring Keith to react and ride forward through the line. Navigating that challenge successfully, Flex immediately returned his focus to his rider, and the rest of the track came up beautifully in stride.

“He came back and rode so good the rest of the course,” Keith said. “It was technical—for him especially. It was one of the more technical courses he’s jumped.”

While securing the series title wasn’t novel for Keith, it was certainly meaningful. Kassidy and her mother, Cheryl Keith run their Keepsake Farms together out of Langley Township, BC, and Cheryl picked out “Flex” as a five-year-old in Alberta.

The Keiths have certainly proven to have a knack for developing horses, having also produced last year’s U25 Champion, Havana, who is now jumping at the CSI3* level. There is more in the pipeline; the Keiths bred Havana and Fenelon WF via embryo transfer and have a 6-month-old colt named Finn.

“It means a lot. My mom and I have developed this horse. He’s really her horse; he’s one she picked out,” Kassidy said. “There’s a lot invested. I think he really rose to the occasion today, and he tries his heart out for me.”

$25,000 CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Fenelon WF / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 0 76.39
2. Gogolinus / Jarne Francken / BEL / Brylee Dickie / 4 78.58
3. Coco du Houlbec Z / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 4 80.56
4. Princesa / Shaelynn Enders / CAN / Joyce Enders / 4 84.07
5. Barack / Reid Pankewicz / CAN / Reid Pankewicz / 8 81.50
6. Deister Z / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 20 85.64
7. Cella / Taylor Winther Blair / CAN / Sorine Blair / 33 96.15
8. VIP des Majuros / Carly Stevens / CAN / Grant & Susie Stevens / EL

Georgia Hunt’s 9-year-old Infostar “isn’t the fastest of horses,” but you wouldn’t know it from watching the Friends of the BCHJA Grand Prix 1.30m.

Hunt and they grey mare bested an 18-horse jump-off, crossing the timers of Peter Holmes’ (CAN) short course comfortably in front in 38.28 seconds. Lorrie Jamieson (CAN) and Hooz da Cat finished second (39.07 seconds), with Hannah Evans (USA) and Jevaro third (39.21).

“We’re really good at picking up and following our track,” Hunt said. “We were fast from fences two to three in the jump-off. She opened her stride a bit and did it so nicely today.”

Hunt, 36, runs her Foxstone Stable out of Duncan, BC, on Vancouver Island. She’s been partnered with Infostar for the past five years, bringing the now 9-year-old mare up since she was four. After missing nearly two years due to sinus surgery, Infostar jumped her first 1.40m class earlier in the week at the BCHJA Fall Finale, and the Friends of the BCHJA Grand Prix 1.30m was meant to be a fun, confident outing for the mare to finish out her show week.

“It was supposed to be a nice, easy class to put her away on,” Hunt said. “My plan was to have a slick track and leave out strides where we could.”

It proved to be the winning move, as Infostar, typically a sensitive mare, showed off her maturity—that is, until the winner’s presentation.

“We laughed, because her personality came out, and she nearly took everyone out like dominoes!” Hunt exclaimed.

Hunt plans to bring Infostar to California this winter with the long-term goal of competing her mare at the national standard Grand Prix level.

“She’s careful and clever enough to get there,” she said.

$10,000 Friends of the BCHJA Grand Prix 1.30m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Infostar / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Georgia Hunt / 0/0 38.28
2. Hooz da Kat / Lorrie Jamieson / CAN / Lorrie Jamieson / 0/0 39.07
3. Jevaro / Hannah Evans / USA / Whitney Walker / 0/0 39.21
4. Felix / Drew Harkness / CAN / Drew Harkness / 0/0 39.64
5. Special K IV / Katie de Witt / CAN / Katie de Witt / 0/0 40.29
6. Thundergirl Ultra Z / Jennifer Waxman / CAN / Lost Lake Farm LLC / 0/0 41.64
7. Quintessenz SZ / Isauro Flores / CAN / Mykaela Palleschi / 0/0 44.63
8. ESI Abercrombie / Jenny Graham / CAN / Hillcrest Show Jumping / 0/0 49.35
9. Chasanno / Kate Hamilton / CAN / Kate Hamilton / 0/0 50.32
10. Caponerhall / Kaylie Martinoff / CAN / Inga Martinoff / 0/4 38.71

Sixteen-year-old Chloe Mache began her show season in the CET Mini Medal. She ended it the Domino High Voltage CET Regionals Champion.

Mache, Vancouver, BC, emerged on top after three phases of Langley’s premier equitation championship, qualifying her for the 2022 CET National Final in Toronto in November.

Sloane Betker finished second, with Lily van Elliot third.

“I’m very shocked. It’s not what I was expecting coming into this,” said Mache, who trains with Eliza Hunt out of the Delta, BC-based Obsidian Hunter Jumper. “I’m very proud of my horse. He’s been perfect all week, and he’s taught me so much over the past year, and I’m just super excited.”

Mache’s winning mount was the 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Fanta, who joined Mache’s string in January. The pair jumped their first CET Medal class less than a week ago, finishing third at tbird’s Harvest Celebration.

“Coming into the week, we weren’t sure if I was even going to do this, but we decided, ‘Why not?'” Mache said. “So, we entered [Fanta] in the Sunday morning CET, which then qualified me to do this.”

Mache was not hindered by inexperience, and the 16-year-old rode with confidence through Friday’s Phase 1—a combined flat and gymnastics competition, in which she finished fourth—and Saturday’s Jumping phase, both of which account for 50 percent of the rider’s score. After the two phases, Mache sat in second with 162 points—nine points behind van Elliot.

The top six riders returned for one last test, a jump-off style course in which riders are judged on their ability to ride a forward track as they would as a show jumping athlete. It was here that Mache set herself apart and moved to the top of the leaderboard, which she credited to the relationship she’s formed with her horse.

“He’s my first proper equitation horse, and he’s taught me so, so much—over the summer, more than I expected,” she said. “We started in the [CET] Mini Medal and the 1.0m jumpers, and then throughout the summer, we just moved up, and it’s just been so good the entire time.”

Mache, along with Betker, van Elliot and fourth-place finisher Kaysa Ozker, secured places in Toronto for the prestigious finals.

“I’ve never been there,” Mache said, “and I’m super excited to just be able to try something new and see what happens and see what comes in the future.”

Domino High Voltage CET Regionals
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner

1. Fanta / Chloe Mache / CAN / Chloe Mache
2. Crack / Sloane Betker / CAN /  Pat Beattie
3. Carvill VA / Lily Van Elliot / CAN / Lily Van Elliot
4. Rouet du Four / Kaysa Ozker / CAN / Aren Ozker
5. RRC Black Magic / Madison Sadek / CAN / Meagan Beunder
6. One Direction / Georgia Fyfe / CAN / Gina Kararrigas
7. Jembey van’t Eigenlo / Sofia Schliessler / CAN / Christine Maclean
8. Limitless / Ashley Arnoldt / CAN / Bree Anderson

Langley, BC – Kyle King (USA) has only been getting to know SIG Chiari since the spring, but in that time, the 10-year-old has made quite the impression. In Saturday’s CSI3* tbird Grand Prix 1.50m, the athletic bay reaffirmed his rider’s belief with a convincing victory—the first international win of their partnership.

Last to go in a six-horse jump-off, they crossed the timers of Peter Holmes’ (CAN) jump-off track in 39.78 seconds, relegating Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Battlecry into second (40.91 seconds). James Chawke (IRL) and Howard du Seigneur finished third (41.06).

“Who knows in the end, where they go, but he’s a winner and a nice ride,” King said. “He’s very modern, very light, fast, he can gallop, and he jumps clear a lot.”

Holmes’ first round track initially proved difficult to conquer, with Capt. Brian Cournane and Vittorio 12 producing the first clear round nearly a third of the way through the start list of the 33-strong field. King, however, would master it; he qualified for the jump-off with both SIG Chiari and Ittolo, who already had a win under his belt in Wednesday’s CSI3* tbird 1.40m.

“I really thought it was going to be [Ittolo’s] day. He jumped so well in the first round. Unfortunately, he jumped too high at the third jump, and then I slowed down. I got to feel the track out,” King said. “I was able to be patient, and I watched the others go as I got on SIG Chiari.”

As he watched, King saw a window of opportunity, particularly between the jump-off’s first two fences, and when he found the right rhythm jumping into the line, he knew he was in a good position.

“I was happy I found the first jump the way I wanted. Then I could step on the gas, found the second jump, and then I just followed the rhythm,” King said. “I checked up at the end [of the course]. The horse can really gallop and jump. I didn’t feel full gear. It worked out beautifully.”

King has ridden for SIG International on several occasions over the years. After jumping up to 1.45m in Europe with Michael Cristofoletti (ITA), SIG Chiari was the mount of Shota Ogomori (JPN), but when Ogomori had to step away from the saddle to focus on work, Ogomori called King. According to JUMPR App, SIG Chiari has jumped clear 57% of the time in 2022 at heights from 1.40m-1.50m.

“I’m very honored to get the ride,” King said. “I got him and got to know him this summer. I took him to Spruce Meadows, where he had success in the 1.40m. Then he came [to tbird] in August and had success at 1.45m. Today, it all came together.”

For King, it was fitting for his mount to have a breakthrough victory at the venue he considers home. He bases his Kyle King, LLC out of Langley.

“It’s nice to come home and get this win. I was hungry this week. My team is is hungry,” said King, whose rider Jarne Francken (BEL) also took a CSIU25-A win this week. “It’s been a great season, and with this being the season ender—it’s a great way to finish.”

$100,000 CSI3* tbird Grand Prix 1.50m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. SIG Chiari / Kyle King / USA / SIG International, Inc. / 0/0 39.78
2. Battlecry / Tiffany Foster / CAN / Artisan Farms, LLC / 0/0 40.91
3. Howard du Seigneur / James Chawke / IRL / Ramsay Equestrian Inc. / 0/0 41.06
4. Vittorio 12 / Capt. Brian Cournane / USA / Capt. Brian Cournane / 0/0 42.2
5. Casturano / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / CAN / Meredith Ellis / 0/0 43.86
6. Ittolo / Kyle King / USA / Kerri Volek / 0/4 43.78
7. Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / Hayley Mercer / 1 88.63
8. Chaco / Sorine Winther / CAN / Sorine Winther / 4 81.36
9. Caya / Shauna Cook / CAN / Sheilagh Kelly / 4 81.37
10. Lavallino Ter Clomp / Jennifer Waxman / USA / Lost Lake Farm LLC / 4 82.36

Langley, BC – Twenty-year-old Jarne Francken (BEL) was looking for a job in his hometown of Antwerp, Belgium, when his neighbor proposed an idea to him.

Would he might like to work in North America?

“It took me about two minutes to think about it,” Francken said.

That neighbor, Michael Koronpis, was close friends with U.S. show jumper Kyle King (USA), and he connected the two riders. Francken has now worked for King since January, and on Friday at tbird, he recorded the first FEI victory of his young career, topping the CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.40m with Brylee Dickie’s Gogolinus.

The pair bested a four-horse jump-off to take top honors, crossing the timers of Peter Holmes’ (CAN) track in 34.83 seconds. Kassidy Keith (CAN) and Fenelon WF—winner of Thursday’s CSIU25-A 1.35m class—finished second (35.34 seconds), with Reid Pankewicz (CAN) and Barack third (37.81). The top three were the only combinations to produce double-clear efforts.

“In the warm-up, I saw the other riders. They went pretty fast,” said Francken, who had the advantageous position of returning last in the jump-off. “The first rider had a rail down, and then there were two clean rounds. I decided I just wanted to ride a smooth, clean round.”

Franken gained the advantage with a smooth turn back to the liverpool oxer, which set him up for a forward distance into the combination, where his horse gave a big effort. From there, it was all about maintaining a smooth rhythm.

“He’s a really nice, careful, sweet horse,” said Francken, who has been partnered with Gogolinus for just a few months, “and he still feels really fresh.”

$15,000 CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.40m

Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Gogolinus / Jarne Francken / BEL / Brylee Dickie / 0/0 34.83

2. Fenelon WF / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 0/0 35.34

3. Barack / Reid Pankewicz / CAN / Reid Pankewicz / 0/0 37.81

4. Coco du Houlbec Z / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 0/4 40.71

5. VIP des Majuros / Carly Stevens / CAN / Grant & Susie Stevens / 4 67.37

6. Cella / Taylor Winther Blair / CAN / Sorinne Winther / 4 70.83

7. Princessa / Shaelynn Enders / CAN / Joyce Enders / 4 71.83

8. Deister Z / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 8 72.19

9. Pasquinelle / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 8 72.61

In the last six months, Kassidy Keith (CAN) has felt a difference in her 9-year-old stallion, Fenelon WF.

The bay Irish Sport Horse took his first U25 win in August at the Summer Fort Festival, and Thursday at tbird, he and his rider were again best in the CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.35m—the pair’s first foray into the FEI U25 division.

The duo comfortably crossed the timers of Peter Holmes’ speed track more than four seconds in front (63.15) of runners-up Reid Pankewicz (CAN) and Barack (67.21 seconds). Carly Stevens (CAN) and VIP des Majuros were third (68.62).

“He’s really starting to follow me. He’s looking where he’s going now, [when] before he didn’t pay attention,” Keith said. “Our partnership has flourished over the last six months. He’s really turned out to be a very cool horse.”

Keith got out in front of the time early, leaving out a stride up the very first line on course. That momentum would only continue as Fenelon showed off an open stride and ample scope. Their turns back to the final fences on course also showed a dimension of agility.

“He stepped up today. The course was good for him,” Keith detailed. “There were a couple places where I had walked a different number. In the first line, I walked nine [strides], and he stepped up in eight. It was easy for him.”

This time last year, Keith had just secured the U25 series title with her top mount Havana. That mare is now jumping the CSI3* division with success, and Keith hopes Fenelon can step up to join his stablemate in the not-too-distant future.

“If I stay accurate, he definitely has heart to do it. I think he will be a super [FEI] 1.45m horse,” Keith. “I really think for me, he will be able to do the earlier classes in the week, and Havana can jump on the weekends.”

$10,000 CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.35m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Fenelon WF / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 0 63.15
2. Barack / Reid Pankewicz / CAN / Reid Pankewicz / 0 67.21
3. VIP des Majuros / Carly Stevens / CAN / Grant & Susie Stevens / 0 68.62
4. Pasquinelle / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 0 73.73
5. Princesa / Shaelynn Enders / CAN / Joyce Enders / 0 74.33
6. Cella / Taylor Winther Blair / CAN / Sorine Winther / 4 66.32
7. Gogolinus / Jarne Francken / USA / Brylee Dickie / 4 71.24
8. Deister Z / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 4 76.48
9. Dento / Carly Stevens / CAN / Grant & Susie Stevens / 8 68.24

Langley, BC – Jim Ifko (CAN) had a specific plan of attack Thursday for the large 13-horse jump-off that had assembled for the CSI3* tbird Qualifier 1.45m.

Ifko identified two distinct gallop lanes in Peter Holmes’ (CAN) short track, and he knew his competitors would be making the most of those opportunities. He hoped he could set himself apart with tighter turns, and his longtime partner Un Diamant des Forets quickly understood the assignment.

“It was amazing. One turn, we turned a lot shorter than I was expecting. All I did was land and look to left and all of a sudden, he was gone!” Ifko explained. “As soon as I looked, he was on his way, and it nearly caught me by surprise.”

Ifko and “Monty” sped right to the top of the class, recording their 11th career international victory with a winning time of 37.37 seconds. Uma O’Neill (NZL) and Clockwise of Greenhill Z galloped into second (39.13), just ahead of Bretton Chad (CAN) and Grandeur WP (39.18), in a class where the lead changed hands numerous times.

“He’s definitely confident and courageous. He’s an absolute adrenaline junkie. His need for speed is remarkable,” Ifko said. “Yet at home, he’s the sweetest, kindest horse and so quiet. I think when you see him at a show, it’s like Jekyll and Hyde.”

Ifko has sensed his partner’s inherent competitiveness from the moment he first sat on the horse—now eight years ago—but he continues to be surprised at the ease with which his mount steps up to new levels. Over the summer, the pair recorded a pair of CSI5* victories at Spruce Meadows. According to JUMPR App, they jump clear 43% of the time across heights from 1.40m to 1.60m.

“From that moment that I tried him, you just got that sense that there was something special there. He has so much heart and so much try,” Ifko said. “It’s really made it an incredible journey to step up through the levels. It doesn’t matter which level we try to move up to; he’s always giving 110% percent and wants it as badly as you, if not more.”

And the bay seems to have more to give. Monty has been a popular breeding stallion at Eventyre Farms in DeWinton for the last five years, and Ifko is bringing up many of his offspring. Five-year-old Mo Money is also competing at tbird in the 1.20m division.

“It looks like he’s going to follow in [his sire’s] footsteps,” Ifko said.

$37,200 CSI3* tbird Qualifier 1.45m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Un Diamant des Forets / Jim Ifko / CAN / Eventyre Farms Ltd / 0/0 37.37
2. Clockwise of Greenhill Z / Uma O’Neill / NZL / Uma O’Neill / 0/0 39.13
3. Grandeur WP / Bretton Chad / CAN / Stone Ridge Farms LLC / 0/0 39.18
4. Chic d Emma Z / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / CAN / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / 0/0 39.49
5. Lavallino Ter Klomp / Jennifer Waxman / USA / Lost Lake Farm LLC / 0/0 39.87
6. Casturano / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / CAN / Meredith Ellis / 0/0 41.03
7. Battlecry / Tiffany Foster / CAN / Artisan Farms LLC / 0/0 41.11
8. London’s de Muze / Uma O’Neill / NZL / Uma O’Neill / 0/0 42.41
9. Celine LS La Silla / Rachel Cornacchia / CAN / Eventyre Farms Ltd / 0/4 41.05
10. Nadal Hero & DB / Conor Swail / IRL / Conor Swail / 0/4 43.31

Langley, BC – Heading into the BCHJA Fall Finale at Thunderbird Show Park, Kyle King (USA) had to shorten his stirrups.

The three horses he brought forward for the final international competition of tbird’s 2022 show season are built a bit differently from his current top group of equine athletes. While the likes of Enzo, Chess and Etalon have big, scopey builds, SIG Chiari, Odysseus and Ittolo are built more slightly. In fact, all are under 16 hands in height, making them sporty and careful—the characteristics of a modern show jumper.

It meant that, in the CSI3* tbird 1.40m, he could pick up the pace. Last to go in the 33-horse field, he and exciting 9-year-old Ittolo swept right to the top of the leaderboard. The pair crossed the timers of Peter Holmes’ (CAN) speed course in a much-the-best time of 56.09 seconds. James Chawke (IRL) and Gamble finished second (58.55 seconds), just ahead of Conor Swail (IRL) and Nadal Hero & DB (58.71).

The win marked the first FEI victory of Ittolo’s career; the bay made his international debut exactly a year ago in Langley. According to JUMPR App, Ittolo has jumped clear 50% of the time at 1.40m.

“I got [Ittolo] two winters ago,” King said. “Last year, I rode him in this same class, and he got a ribbon. We moved up really fast—maybe too fast. He’s bold and brave, but the ride-ability wasn’t really there.”

Some calculated moves up and down the levels for Ittolo have resulted in a more confident, mature, responsive horse, and when King walked Wednesday’s course, he knew it would suit “Rollo.” In particular, he saw an opportunity to leave out a stride where others were forced to slow down to fit in the number.

“There was a line on the outside of the course that was riding [as] a steady six, which slowed everyone down,” King explained. “I watched, and I rode [the line] on my other two [horses], and I thought if I had a good oxer [into the line], I could leave out [a stride]. I knew [Ittolo] would be able to pull it off, and I didn’t have to slow down for six [strides].”

Ittolo is nicknamed the “Honey Badger” in the barn. The athletic bay—”a character,” as King says—is full of happy, excitable energy and usually gets his way. It’s made him a barn favorite, and after tbird, he’ll likely travel to Thermal, CA for the winter season in California.

“He’s a super talented horse,” King said. “[All three] are little plain bays and under 16 hands. They’re the opposite of my other string. This [group] is modern [and] faster.

“Next year, I think these horses are going to be my main string coming up!” he exclaimed. “It’s nice to have some light, modern types of horses. All three are very similar.”

Kyle King (USA) and Ittolo. Photo ©tbird/Quinn Saunders

$8,000 CSI3* tbird 1.40m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Ittolo / Kyle King / USA / Kerri Voleck / 0 56.09
2. Gamble / James Chawke / IRL / James Chawke / 0 58.55
3. Nadal Hero & DB / Conor Swail / IRL / Conor Swail / 0 58.71
4. Count Me In / Conor Swail / IRL / Conor Sail / 0 58.95
5. Gallup / Shana Cook / CAN / Gallup Syndicate / 0 61.96
6. Caya / Shauna Cook / CAN /Sheilagh Kelly / 0 65.4
7. Ilana / Halle Duke / CAN / Halle Duke / 0 65.83
8. Odysseus / Kyle King / USA / Patti Vasey / 0 65.90
9. London’s de Muze / Uma O’Neill / NZL / Uma O’Neill / 0 67.26
10. Casturano / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / Meredith Ellis / CAN / 0 69.22

Langley, BC — There’s just one more week of international competition at Thunderbird Show Park in 2022. The BCHJA Fall Finale concludes the annual FEI calendar in Langley, Sept. 21–25, 2022.

The Finale boasts both CSI3* and CSIU25 divisions, giving up-and-coming combinations the chance to compete at the international level. Fifty three horses from both divisions jogged for inspection Tuesday at tbird. Those equine athletes represent 35 athletes and six nations.

Fall is unquestionably in the air. Peter Holmes (CAN) will set the tracks for international competitors in the Thunderbird Jumper Arena, where tbird regulars will get the taste of a fresh surface and atmosphere after jumping in the Fort Grand Prix Arena on grass all summer.

World No. 4 Conor Swail (IRL) headlines the group, returning to his home-away-from-home following a stint in Europe, where he contributed to a home Irish victory in the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy. His employee James Chawke (IRL) is also a rider to watch with the exciting Howard du Seigneur; the two took a three-star victory at tbird’s Summer Fort Classic in August.

James Chawke (IRL) and Howard du Seigneur. Photo ©tbird/Quinn Saunders

Hometown hero Tiffany Foster (CAN) returns to tbird after jumping to 12th individually at the FEI Jumping World Championships in Herning (DEN) last month. Kyle King (USA), also based locally in Langley, will line up again, hoping to notch another tally in his win column after topping the CSI3* ONNI Grand Prix at the Summer Fort Welcome.

International competition begins Wednesday, Sept. 21 with the CSI3* tbird 1.40m. The week’s feature is the CSI3* tbird Grand Prix 1.50m, set for Saturday, Sept. 24. Meanwhile, U25 riders will aim for Sunday’s CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m.

VIEW FEI RIDER LIST >>

Young riders (under age 21) will have their own spotlight, as the BCHJA Fall Finale also features CET Regionals. The CET (Canadian Equestrian Team) Regionals will feature the top 20 qualifying athletes in the region, who will compete Friday and Saturday in two phases—flat/gymnastics and jumping—followed by a mandatory final work-off for the top six performers. With four qualifying spots available, riders will look to punch their tickets to the National Finals in Toronto in November. tbird’s 2021 CET Regional Champion, Taylor Winther Blair, recently won the tbird Grand Prix at the Harvest Celebration.

Featured Classes

Wednesday, September 21

• CSI3* tbird 1.40m

Thursday, September 22

• CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.35m

• CSI3* tbird Qualifier 1.45m

Friday, September 23

• CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 1.40m

Saturday, September 24

• CET Regionals Jumping and Ride-Off

• CSI3* tbird Grand Prix 1.50m

Sunday, September 25

• Friends of the BCHJA Grand Prix 1.30m

• CSIU25-A MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m

Catch all the action from the Fort Grand Prix Arena live on tbird TV.