Katrina Klimach emerged from the opening Flat/Gymnastics phase of the Equine Essentials CET Regionals a clear leader, posting the only score above 80 and sitting five points ahead of the pack with an 84.
Charlotte Reeve sits second (79), followed by Livia Cox (77) ahead of Saturday’s second Jumping phase, after which scores will be combined (The Flat/Gymnastics and Jumping phases each make up 50% of the score). Following that tally, the top six competitors will return for a “jump off” style course to determine the final placings.
Klimach and her mount Fanta—a former winner of the event in 2022 with Chloe Mache—displayed the polish of a seasoned partnership as they seamlessly navigated the gymnastics tests presented on course, including landing the counter lead and finding a beautiful rhythm to the final triple bar. But Klimach has only been riding the large but superbly balanced 18-hand gelding for two weeks.
“Luckily, [owner Shenae Johnston] let me borrow him for these two weeks,” said Klimach, 20. “He’s just been wonderful, and it was super exciting to step into [the ring] here and have a [partner] that knows what he’s doing.”
From Victoria, Klimach spent her brief time of preparation with Fanta training at home with her coach, Jordan Scott, and building off of information she gained from her first Regionals experience last year.
“We had a lot of flat lessons in the indoor. We schooled probably in the indoor every day,” Klimach shared. “We didn’t really show last week or this week.”
The best qualifying athletes from the BC region have congregated at tbird for the regional championship; these riders will return in reverse order of Friday’s standings in the Jumping phase. The equitation competition is scored by how judges perceive the athlete as a show jumping rider, and the top four finishers will qualify for the National Finals, set for November in Toronto.
“I’m a little bit nervous now about going last, but I’m excited for the course that Peter [Holmes] is going to set,” Klimach said. “We’re just going to come in and have some fun.”
Equine Essentials CET Regionals Flat/Gymnastic
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Score
1. Fanta / Katrina Klimach / CAN / Shenae Johnston / 84
2. Corona OS / Charlotte Reeve / CAN / Charlotte Reeve / 79
3. WH Contiago / Livia Cox / CAN / Livia Cox / 77
4. Caprice KDW Z / Bryn Harvey / CAN / Bryn Harvey / 75
5. Indiana II / Sloane Betker / CAN / Samantha Vanderwoude / 73
6. Tintoretto / Lindsay Iacoviello / CAN / Brownwyn Alexander / 67
7. Quibbela Bee / Ava Murray / CAN / Ava Murray / 62
8. Bandagold MLF / Kaia Kochan / CAN / Kaia Kochan / 60
9. Caramelo / Amryn Takhar / CAN / Amryn Takhar / 56
10. Diamond Contender VF / Ava Mikkelsen / CAN / Lauren Mercer / 40
