Category: Summer Fort Welcome

The fourth annual #WeRideTogether Open Jumper Classic drew over 100 entries at Thunderbird Show Park, delivering thrilling competition, generous purses, and a powerful message of change. With 104 entries competing across two heights, the event once again proved that every ride can be a step toward healthier, more compassionate sport.

Harlan Veil Phillips, riding Happy Hour Special, claimed victory in the $2,500 0.90m–1.00m class, adding a #WRT title to an already impressive week. Having been named champion in the 0.90m division earlier in the week, Harlan entered the #WeRideTogether class at her mother’s encouragement—and left with the win.

“My mom said, ‘Harlan, let’s just do it. It’ll be fun,’” she recalled. “We did and came in first.”

Harlan has ridden 17-year-old Happy Hour Special, owned by Sierra Baker, for four years and describes him as the ultimate competitor. “He’s always chill. But in the second that the bell rings, he just goes for it. And he always tries. He’s the best.”

When asked about her favourite thing about her barn—she trains with Joelle Froese of In Stride Equestrian Training in Abbotsford, BC but keeps the pony at her home—Harlan pointed to the people. “Everyone’s just so welcoming and kind.”

In the 1.10m–1.15m division, Clara Plunkett rode to victory on Idoctor Classic Fez, a horse she has owned for nearly two years. Trained by Gary Brewster of Twin Oaks in Richmond, BC, Clara was competing in the #WeRideTogether class for the second time and with a clear goal in mind:

“I wanted to go clear first, because we often have rails on classic day,” Clara explained. “I knew that once we were in the jump off, if I just kept my track clean and kept his usual pace, he would be good to go.”

Clara described her striking chestnut gelding as “super honest” and “super easy in general,” adding that “he enjoys jumping and going fast—he is just perfect and he is down for whatever.”

Speaking of her barn environment, Clara echoed Harley’s sentiment. “It’s super supportive. There’s no competitiveness against each other. Everyone’s just really happy to watch everyone.”

The #WeRideTogether Open Jumper Classic is more than a ribbon—it’s a movement. All proceeds from entry fees and donations directly support #WeRideTogether’s mission to eliminate abuse in all sports at every level, internationally. The weekend also featured a friendship bracelet-making activity at the Hunter Hospitality, where participants connected, created, and learned about healthy sport resources.

As the #WeRideTogether class continues to grow—drawing top riders and passionate newcomers alike—its impact reaches far beyond the show ring. With every entry, every donation, and every conversation, the equestrian community is building a future where every athlete can thrive in safety and respect.

For more information on #WeRideTogether and how to support its mission, visit weridetogether.today.

James Chawke piloted the 8-year-old Nandos S to victory in the Bradon Equestrian National Grand Prix at Thunderbird Show Park’ Summer Fort Welcome. The win marks a milestone for the promising gelding, who moved up to the 1.40m height for the very first time this week.

Eight combinations cracked the code to course designer Peter Holmes’ track to advance to the jump-off. Chawke and Nandos S (Van Gogh x Numero Uno), owned by Vanessa Mannix, delivered the fastest double-clear performance, crossing the timers in 47.62 seconds—it was the only sub-50 second time of the day. USA’s Laina Summers and Greannanstown Max A Million finished as runners-up, with a time of 50.94. Canada’s Laura Jane Tidball rounded out the podium in third place aboard MacGyver in 51.62.

“He’s only eight, he’s just learning to jump this height, but he is naturally very quick, so I just tried to keep it smooth and be efficient,” said Chawke of his jump-off strategy. “I thought he was pretty quick everywhere. He followed me really well.”

The victory is the product of a carefully managed development program for the young horse. Chawke explained, “We bought him sometime in October. He’s for Vanessa, so we’re producing him a little bit. I rode him in the desert, January, February, March, then Conor Swail had him at Spruce Meadows [over the summer].”

With Swail now in Europe, Nandos is back under Chawke’s saddle and moving up the ranks.

“He jumped his first 1.40m this week,” Chawke noted. “Then I decided to put him in this class. I thought it’s a good course, there’s a bit more to it, and he has to learn how to jump these kind of tracks.” 

Chawke was full of praise for the horse’s natural ability. “As a jumper, he’s incredible. He’s very athletic, the feeling’s very good, he’s really smart. He’s got to learn his rideability a little bit more, but I’d say that in terms of the height and that, it’s very easy. He’s quite quick to figure it out once he does it.”

International show jumping continues next week at tbird with the Summer Fort Classic.

Full results here.

Photo credit: Kim Gaudry Photography

If Tate McRae needed a muse for her chart-topping anthem “Sports Car,” she need look no further than Lady Cassini 3. The 10-year-old mare lived up to her theme song in Sunday’s U25 1.40m Grand Prix, protected by Western Pacific Emergency Response, at Thunderbird Show Park’s Summer Fort Welcome, leaving the competition in her rearview mirror.

The second of three to return for the jump off, Chernoff and Lady Cassini 3 sped around Peter Holmes’ track with a double-clear effort, stopping the clock in a blistering 40.99 seconds—more than five seconds quicker than the runner-up combination. Canada’s Mya Viczko (22) and Ezio De Emeraud settled for second with 4 faults in 46.48 seconds, while 17-year-old Iris Hickey (USA) and Daiquiri rounded out the podium with 8 faults in 46.81 seconds.

It was a performance that was pure pole position—by a mare has one preferred gear, fifth.

“Even the first round felt like I was riding the jump off already,” said Chernoff of her speedy mare. “You’re never worried about the time allowed with her. I never have once thought about it.”

Sunday’s victory capped a breakthrough week for the 21-year-old rider, who acquired the Lord Fauntleroy mare last summer from Germany but spent much of the past year away from the saddle while finishing her Kinesiology degree at Queen’s University.

“I showed her a bit last summer and then September came around. I went back to school in Ontario, so I wasn’t really riding for most of the year,” Chernoff explained. “I came back here in April and we did four weeks of Spruce Meadows together, which I would say was a lot of ups and downs.”

Those summer struggles tested the partnership, but the young Canadian never lost faith in her mare’s fighting spirit.

“She’s definitely been a bit of a tricky one to figure out, but I feel like this show everything is starting to click,” said Chernoff, who also finished second in Wednesday’s U25 1.35m and fifth in Friday’s U25 1.40m classes with “Lady.”

“She has such a big heart. Even if she gets a little nervous, she always wants to get to the other side of the jump, which is an amazing quality. I think she never gave up on me and I never gave up on her. And then now here we are.”

The turning point came through patience and persistence—in and out of the tack.

“I’ve been working on not doing too much, because I think before I was trying to make too many adjustments and it was just not working between the two of us,” Chernoff said. “We did end up changing the bridle, which also helped a ton. 

“This summer we’ve had a lot more time to work on our partnership—both riding and just in the barn spending a bit more time with her, getting to know her better. She loves her scratches—so always make sure she gets her scratches. She trusts me a lot and I can trust her.”

Showcasing the next generation of show jumping talent, the U25 division, protected by Western Pacific Emergency Response, returns to tbird next week with the Summer Fort Classic, culminating with the Finale in September at the Harvest Festival.  

Rank	Horse	Rider	Nation	Owner	Faults	Time
1	LADY CASSINI 3	STELLA CHERNOFF	CAN	STUMP LAKE RANCH AND CATTLE CO LTD	0/0	40.99
2	EZIO DE EMERAUD	MYA VICZKO	CAN	MYA VICZKO	0/4	46.48
3	DAIQUIRI	IRIS HICKEY	USA	LINDA RAE HICKEY	0/8	46.81
4	CAYA	DARBY COOK	CAN	SHEILAGH KELLY	4	76.43
5	RAISIENNE VAN DE PADENBORRE	REAGAN TOMB	USA	KENT FARRINGTON LLC	4	78.77
6	GOLD D’OLBICHE	EMMELINE ADAMICK	USA	HAWK HOLLOW FARM	4	81.45
7	SPRINGSTEEN	CARLY STEVENS	CAN	SUSAN STEVENS	4	81.59
8	BABOU DE LAUBRY Z	SHYLEE ELIMELECH	USA	SHYLEE ELIMELECH	4	82.80
9	QARABAG	JESSIE RECHS	USA	ROSE EQUESTRIAN GROUP LLC	4	83.93
10	INDIANA II	SLOANE BETKER	CAN	SLOANE BETKER	5	86.63

Full results here. 

Photo credit: Kim Gaudry Photography

Kyle King made it a double double. The new Canadian captured his second international win of the day at Thunderbird Show Park’s Summer Fort Welcome, piloting his “heart horse” to victory in the $75,000 Steel Craft Doors CSI3* Grand Prix on Saturday.

Fresh off his win in the JustWorld International Winning Round 1.45m earlier in the day, King returned to the Fort Grand Prix arena and delivered another flawless performance to claim the feature class of the week. The first of four to return for Peter Holmes’ short course, King set a speedy standard aboard Replay Touch van de Stapelheyde. 

“Some of the fastest people on the West Coast are here with James Chawke and Karrie Rufer coming behind me,” said King. “So going first, I figured I might as well let it all hang out and go as quick as I could.

“He was really good. He was very bold down to the double verticals. I think that’s where I was maybe a little quicker than the other ones.”

The pair stopped the clock in 38.10 seconds. Three more gave chase. James Chawke (IRL) and One Edition came closest to their time, settling for second in 38.75. Bryna Closson (USA) and Meteoric Rise took third in 39.71.

King credited the horse he calls “his dude” for the victory—a mount he nearly passed on not once, but twice.

“I think James and I pretty much took the same steps,” King said. “I took a big cut to the last one and [Hyde] twisted and tried like he always does. I’m really proud. He’s my favourite horse.”

The story of how King came to ride Hyde is one of reluctant persistence. The first time King saw the horse in Belgium, he refused to get on, put off by the Belgian Warmblood’s unconventional style and Thoroughbred breeding on the dam side (Vannan x Narew XX).

“I wouldn’t sit on him. My back was sore and I didn’t like his technique and he makes a little noise when he canters. And he wasn’t top fit then,” King recalled.

On a second trip, he remained skeptical, despite ample encouragement by friend Kirsten Rombouts.

“I stayed at their house for three days, which is above the barn, and I looked at his eye—he’s got that real sharp look—and thought, I’m not sitting on him,” King said. “Finally the last day, [Kirsten] basically forced me to sit on him. I jumped literally my first X and I said, ‘Done. This is the horse.'”

What changed King’s mind over that single jump?

“I’ve never really quite had a feeling like him—he’s like a feather,” King said. “He doesn’t make a sound off the ground. He lands lighter than he takes off. It is cool.

“He’s a little bit of an underdog type. He breathes a little funny and jumps his own style. He’s jumping better now, but yeah, I don’t know. There’s something about him. Kayenne Z is the queen [of my string] and this horse is my dude. He’s fun.”

Saturday’s win marks the third Grand Prix title for King and 9-year-old gelding this season. King now heads into the World Championships in Aachen, Germany later this month as the reserve rider for Team Canada—ready, as he put it, to “let it all hang out” if called upon.

$75,000 Steel Craft Doors CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m Top 10

Rank	Horse	Rider	Nation	Owner	Faults	Time
1	REPLAY TOUCH VAN DE STAPELHEYDE	Kyle King	CAN	The Chess Group	0 / 0	38.10
2	ONE EDITION	James Chawke	IRL	Vanessa Mannix	0 / 0	38.75
3	METEORIC RISE	Bryna Closson	USA	Bryna Closson	0 / 0	39.71
4	STERN DEI FOLLETTI	Karrie Rufer	USA	Morning Star Sporthorses LLC	0 / 8	43.74
5	KANNANDINE	Braden James	CAN	Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd	4	74.33
6	CLEARBELLE 3 Z	Hilary Scott	AUS	Hilary Scott	4	78.33
7	NIJINSKY 10	Reagan Tomb	USA	Greg Tomb	4	80.04
8	HAVANA	Kassidy Keith	CAN	Kassidy Keith	4	80.54
9	ODYSSEUS	Kyle King	CAN	Patricia Vasey	4	80.92
10	NOBLE	Jeffrey Fields	USA	Jacqueline Hendy	4	83.67

Full results here.

Photo credit: Kim Gaudry Photography

Over the past three decades, the national anthem has echoed across the Fort Grand Prix arena for Kyle King countless times at tbird. On Saturday, for the first time, it was the stately tones of O’Canada piping through the loudspeakers for the recently minted Canuck.

Less than two months after officially switching his nationality from American to Canadian, the 51-year-old rider delivered a statement victory in the CSI3* JustWorld International Winning Round 1.45m at tbird’s Summer Fort Welcome—capturing his first international win representing the maple leaf. 

“I was second on Sunday in two classes at Spruce [Meadows] and just narrowly missed it. I figured it would happen sooner or later,” said King, who has long called Langley home with his Canadian wife, Emily. “This is home, right? So it’s perfect. It is such a pretty flag, I gotta say.”

This week’s competition is also Ninja BF’s first three-star start, marking another chapter in their steadily growing partnership. In May, King and the 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chacoon Blue x Ferro) made their international debut at tbird during the Odlum Brown BC Open—and won their very first class, the CSI2* Welcome 1.40m.

In 13 international appearances since, they’ve finished outside the top 10 only twice, cementing the gelding’s status as a perennial contender.

“He’s a horse that just keeps growing,” King said. “He was produced by a rider named Kevin Gallagher in Florida. He was the very top five-year-old, top six-year-old, top seven-year-old, and then I got him at beginning of this year. It took me probably a good month or two to get him dialled, understand how he likes to go, and [since then] he has just been on fire.”

The Winning Round format sees a minimum of 10 pairs from the first round advance to a clean-slate, shortened jump-off round. King returned last in the order and shaved nearly two full seconds off Lauren Breach (USA) and Don Amour de Betze Z’s leading time of 46.49, stopping the clock at 44.58. Breach also took third on Dhalida in 49.56.

“He’s so consistent. He’s a gamer. He’s kind of got everything—he’s careful, he’s scopey, he’s brave, he’s fast,” continued King.

“I have really high hopes to see where this horse can go. I think he can just keep climbing the levels.”

And the dialled in part? That was King adapting his usual “loose-frame style” to Ninja BF’s preferred steady contact. 

“He likes to be connected, that’s what took me a minute to get used to with him. I like to be a little softer just in general, but he likes to have the support of your legs and hand, and then he feels like he can jump anything. He doesn’t like me to throw his head away for whatever reason. It’s not that he does anything bad, he just doesn’t jump the same shape.”

Later this month, King will log another career first when he makes his championship debut for Team Canada at the World Championships in Aachen. 

“I am the reserve [rider]. I am very honoured to go and I wish all my teammates the best of luck, but I am going to be ready to ride if called upon. My mare [Kayenne Z] is there and she is fit and she’s ready—I am excited about this opportunity.”

International competition returns to tbird next week with the Summer Fort Classic CSI3*, featuring the $75,000 ATCO Grand Prix on Sunday August 16. Tickets are available at tbird.ca/tickets

Full results here.

Photo credit: Kim Gaudry Photography

In real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. In the hunter derby ring at the Summer Fort Welcome, it was all about rotation, rotation, rotation for Nicole Bourgeois.

The Oregon‑based professional brought four mounts forward in the Amy Brattebo Real Estate Canadian Hunt and Go Derby Open 3’6″ on Thursday, riding all four to 100 scores and into the top six. It was a masterclass in consistency.

First in the ring, Bourgeois’s kicked off the competition with July’s back-to-back derby winner at tbird, Mc Queen, and jumped to a score 100. It was ultimately good enough for sixth. Her scores continued to rise with her second and third rides—Nantucket Bay, 107, and Vino Bianco, 108. Bourgeois closed the class on Stout and narrowly missed out on a podium sweep with a score 105, edged out by Quinn Partridge (USA) and By the Numbers’s 106. 

The Hunt & Go Derby format is a single‑round competition that seamlessly blends the Classic and Handy hunter rounds into one uninterrupted trip, rewarding handiness, adjustability, and boldness. Bourgeois and her winning mount Vino Bianco (aka “Zoe”) navigated the winding 13‑effort course with seamless flow, executing inside turns, bold pace, a smooth trot fence, and all four high options. But it was her inside turn from the fence two to three that she says clinched it.

“Zoe did that really well,” Bourgeois said. “She’s really good at slicing [fences] like that. And she’s also just such a handy horse. She and I have had many years of togetherness at this point, so we are kind of on the same page always.”

Vino Bianco, owned by Hilary Sosne, was fresh off a break before returning to the ring this week at tbird. “She actually hasn’t shown since Thermal because her owner just had a baby. This is her first show back in action, getting ready for her mom to take over shortly.”

Of the variety across her string, Bourgeois added: “Three of those horses I’ve ridden a ton and then the horse I was second on, Nantucket Bay, it was my first derby on him. So I had a lot of seasoned ones and then I had one that I have never shown up until this week—it was kind of nice to have a little bit of a different [challenge].”

The Amy Brattebo Real Estate Canadian Hunt & Go Derby series concludes September 11 with the Finals at tbird’s Harvest Celebration.

Amy Brattebo Real Estate Canadian Hunt & Go Derby Open 3’6″ 

Full results here.

Photo credit: Viola Mitchell Photography

Karrie Rufer’s slow start delivered speedy returns in the CSI3* Heavy Metal Equipment 1.50m jump off at Thunderbird Show Park’s Summer Fort Welcome on Thursday.

Rufer and her longtime partner Stern dei Folletti—affectionately known as “Stan”—calmly sauntered into the middle of the Fort Grand Prix Arena on foot with her longtime groom, Cristofer Mendoza, and this week’s coach, François Mathy Jr at their side. After a leg‑up from Mathy, Rufer and the 15‑year‑old Holsteiner gelding took off at a gallop to the first fence and never took their foot off the gas.

Second of nine to return for Peter Holmes’ short course, the veteran pair set the time to beat in a speedy 40.74 seconds—and delivered the only sub‑41‑second effort of the day. USA’s Bryna Closson and Meteoric Rise finished second in 41.09. Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster and Steadfast slotted into third in 41.35.

“He’s just naturally a fast horse,” Rufer said, adding that Stan can “be a little tricky” at the backgate.

“He doesn’t really love it. So we tried [getting on in the ring] today, it seemed to work. It keeps him a little bit calmer in his head. He’s very ambitious.”

Rufer credited Mathy’s course‑walk advice for setting up the winning effort.

“François Mathy Jr. is here coaching me this week and he thought eight strides from the second jump to the third and eight [strides] also from the third to the fourth would work out well. It did. Those were super easy and he’s so quick.

“He’s so good in the combinations. I was able to get that vertical before the double at an angle and still get down [the line] and he backed up great, which was perfect. Then I just kind of went off like a shot to the last jump. I saw a bit of a long one, which sometimes he can have a hard time leaving that rail up behind, but he somehow twisted himself inside out and jumped it great.”

Stern dei Folletti has been under Rufer’s saddle for nine years and has been a consistent contender for the American rider.

“I got him as a six‑year‑old, which is crazy to think of. He’s 15 now, and his winning spirit and his fight has just never been a question. Even though he’s got a little bit of age on him now and some grey hairs, he’s very happy to go in and do what he does. Once I pick up the canter, he’s great.”

Despite his intensity in the ring, Rufer noted that Stan is a gentle soul outside the arena.

“My daughter could flat him around [in the warm up]. He wouldn’t flinch. He is so easy and relaxed everywhere else.”

International competition continues on Saturday at tbird with the $15,000 JustWorld International Winning Round 1.45m and $75,000 Steel-Craft Doors Grand Prix 1.50m. Tickets are available exclusively on tbird.ca/tickets.

Top 10 $32,000 CSI3* Heavy Metal Equipment 1.50m

Rank	Horse	Rider	Nation	Owner	Faults	Time
1	STERN DEI FOLLETTI	KARRIE RUFER	USA	MORNING STAR SPORTHORSES, LLC	0 / 0	40.74
2	METEORIC RISE	BRYNA CLOSSON	USA	BRYNA CLOSSON	0 / 0	41.09
3	STEADFAST	TIFFANY FOSTER	CAN	ARTISAN FARMS , LLC	0 / 0	41.35
4	SHANROE PEETERS	KARRIE RUFER	USA	MORNING STAR SPORTHORSES, LLC	0 / 0	42.17
5	NIJINSKY 10	REAGAN TOMB	USA	GREG TOMB	0 / 0	43.84
6	ITOULON S	SARAH LOTTIS	CAN	KEVIN LOTTIS	0 / 0	44.04
7	CALOX	KATRINA KOMITSCH	CAN	KATRINA KOMITSCH	0 / 0	47.06
8	ODYSSEUS	KYLE KING	CAN	PATRICIA VASEY	0 / 4	41.31
9	MY FERRARI	SAHANA GANESAN	USA	SAHANA GANESAN	0 / 4	44.97
10	HERMES DES CARMILLES	BRADEN JAMES	CAN	STUMP LAKE RANCH AND CATTLE CO LTD	4

Full results here.

Photo credit: Kim Gaudry Photography

The annual #WeRideTogether Open Classic returned to Thunderbird Show Park on Sunday of the Summer Fort Welcome, inviting nearly 120 entries to compete in support of healthy sport.

“We are thrilled to return to tbird for our third annual #WeRideTogether fundraising event,” said Michaela Callie, #WeRideTogether Executive Director. “This year, our intention was to make our fundraising effort even more accessible to junior and amateur riders by creating a $2,500 0.9/1.0m Classic and a $5,000 1.10/1.15m Classic.”

Winning the #WeRideTogether 1.10/1.15m Open Classic was Olivia Stephenson (CAN) with Menella Blue PS, who topped a competitive jump-off that saw 11 double-clear efforts. Autumn Walker (CAN) and Ballerina were second, while Patti Kits (CAN) and Gomer finished third. Less than half a second separated the top three. 

“I was just trying to have fun,” Stephenson said of her decision to enter the popular charity class. “I’ve had a fun week and my horse was doing great so [my trainers and I] thought it would be a good class to enter just to change it up.”

Stephenson and her 8-year-old Hanoverian mare train with Calgary-based trainers Bretton Chad and Charlie Jones of Stone Ridge Sporthorses.

“I’ve been riding with them for about two years. They’ve given me so much confidence. I probably wouldn’t have done this class without them. They’ve definitely made me the rider I am now. They’re so fun.”

Supporting #WeRideTogether’s efforts to promote safeguarding in all sports, the class is known for its fun and competitive atmosphere. Stephenson and her competitors were ringside to support other entries.

“Healthy sport to me means when you come to the barn and are excited and when you get on your horse you feel like you’re safe,” Stephenson shared. “It’s a comfortable space and your coaches are here for your best interest and everyone around you is cheering you on.”

“Each year, this event brings together a powerful community of equestrians who share our vision of safer, healthier sports for all,” Callie continued. “We are deeply grateful to tbird for our continued partnership and for the outpouring of support we received from parents, athletes, and trainers.”

Entry fees for these two classes support #WeRideTogether’s mission to make the youth and amateur sport environment safer for all athletes. In addition to prize money, the fan-favourite class offered additional prizes, including masterclass gift cards from Amelia Newcomb Dressage, saddle pads from FarmVet, gift baskets from Greenhawk tack store in Langley, rider care packages from The Gilded Paddock, and covetable swag from Pinsnickety, Charles Owen Helmets, The TackHack and more.

James Chawke set out to win the $75,000 Steel-Craft Doors CSI3* Grand Prix at the Summer Fort Welcome one way or another. He had the first and last say aboard his two mounts and ended up bookending the podium, capturing first with Daido Van’t Ruytershof Z and third with Nacara Van Berkenbroeck Z.

As lead off rider in the 14-horse jump-off, Chawke set the early standard with Nacara Van Berkenbroeck Z, owned by Alison Locke. Clocking in at 40.94 seconds, it looked as though he’d done enough, as the next five failed to catch the time.  

But Charlie Jones (GBR) is always a threat in a jump-off, and Sunday was no exception as he sped around with Capitale 6, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC, in 40.46, taking the time to beat up a notch.

“I thought I was fairly fast with [Nacara],” Chawke reflected on his first round. “I probably did one too many [strides between fences] one, two, and three. I knew I was a little bit wider there on him, but he’s also quite quick across the ground because he doesn’t have an overly big stride. I hoped that would be enough to be first or second but Charlie changed that.”

Last to go on Daido Van’t Ruytershof Z, Chawke was determined to retake his lead. Blazing around the course with the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare (Dieu-Merci van T&L x Bamako de Muze), they shaved off nine-hundredths of a second to win the class in 40.37 and move up the 1/st FEI Money Earner ranking.

“I knew Charlie and Kara [Chad] were very fast so it was nice that I got to watch them to make a better plan for [Daido],” the Irishman continued. “She was actually slower in the rollback and the last jump; I did one more [stride] to each of those, but I was quicker one-two-three.”

When Chawke first acquired the mare, he underestimated her potential. “She’s just becoming a better and better horse,” he said of her progression. “She’s getting scopier and more rideable. Honestly, I think she can jump bigger. I wasn’t even sure she’d jump three-stars when I got her.”

Chawke has taken the West Coast by storm with his impressive string of horses, winning 10 classes at tbird in 2024—and he has no plans for that to change anytime soon.

“It’s brilliant,” he said of the level of competition at tbird. “My horses are based on the West Coast all the time so it’s really important to have shows like this.”

Chawke’s favourite things about tbird? “The grass field. The people.” 

International jumping resumes Wednesday with the Summer Fort Classic, wrapping up competition for August before returning for two more weeks of national and international jumping in the fall.

$75,000 Steel-Craft Doors CSI3* Grand Prix
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults/Time

1. Daido Van’t Ruytershof Z / James Chawke / IRL / James Chawke / 0/0/40.37
2. Capitale 6 / Charlie Jones / GBR / Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC / 0/0/40.46
3. Nacara Van Berkenbroeck Z / James Chawke / IRL / Alison Locke / 0/0/40.94
4. Limara / Christopher Fellers / USA / Christopher Fellers / 0/0/41.54
5. Leyira / Alexa Pessoa / USA / Clover M Sporthorses LLC / 0/0/42.25
6. Crooner Brimbelles Z / Lauren Crooks / USA / Crooks Show Jumping, LLC / 0/0/43.68
7. Chic D Emma Z / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / CAN / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / 0/0/45.70
8. Cunningham 4 / Christopher Lowe / CAN / Christopher Lowe / 0/0/47.79
9. Igor GPH / Kara Chad / CAN / Fordville Farm Inc / 0/4/40.71
10. Havana / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Kassidy Keith / 0/4/43.24

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

1. Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / Hayley Mercer / 0/0/35.44
2. Grand Blanc de Villa D’Arto / Declan Talla / USA / Molly Talla / 0/0/38.67
3. Happy Time / Isabel Coxe / USA / 5 Roosters / 0/0/40.50
4. Connecticut / Amanda Sinnett / CAN / Amanda Sinnett / 0/0/40.83
5. Laconiek / Declan Talla / USA / Molly Talla / 0/0/41.76
6. Lien / Colby Winther Konig / CAN / Sorine Winther / 0/0/41.97
7. Humosa / Emily Moffatt / CAN / Freedom Stables / 0/0/43.07
8. Kimberly HX / Sahana Ganesan / USA / Sahana Ganesan / USA / 0/4/38.46
9. Springsteen / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0/4/40.72
10. Indiana II / Sloane Betker / CAN / Sloane Betker / 4/76.71
11. Lattino / Katrina Komitsch / CAN / Katrina Komitsch / 4/79.61
12. Ashtin’s Fabulas / Payton Roux / CAN / Kristen Russell / 8/73.80