For the second week in a row, Thunderbird Show Park is set to host CSI4* competition, welcoming a roster of elite riders for the Odlum Brown BC Open. The Fort Grand Prix Arena will see CSI2* competition run alongside the CSIO4* division, with many familiar faces across both divisions.
Six Olympians will take a run at the four-star division, featuring the $117,000 USD CSIO4* Grand Prix on Friday and $75,000 USD CSIO4* Nations Cup on Sunday.
Daniel Coyle (IRL), world number 14 and 1/ST FEI Leading Rider of last week’s Canadian Premier tournament, returns with the same two horses, Farrel and Incredible. Coyle will aim to duplicate his success from 2023 when Ireland topped the Nations Cup. His brother Jordan Coyle joins the start list for the BC Open, piloting Chaccolino, as does cousin Christian Coyle with Extravaganza Semilly.
Also representing Ireland this week is Conor Swail, runner-up in last week’s CSI4* Grand Prix. Swail brings an entirely new line up of horse power for the BC Open. His current top performer Casturano, who sports a 64% clear rate at 1.55m (Jumpr stats), will contest the four-star division, as will My Lady Levista and newer partner Clonterm Obolensky. Swail will also have three mounts competing in the two-star.
Olympian Katie Laurie (AUS) aims Django II, Olyda VD Bisschop, and Tulara Zirensky at the BC Open CSI4*.
Canadian fans will cheer on Paris 2024 Olympians Tiffany Foster and Mario Deslauriers. Foster, a hometown favourite, brings back last week’s winning mount Anton, who she acquired from Austria’s Max Kühner in April, for CSI4* action, along with Battlecry and Electrique, a former ride of USA’s Kent Farrington. Deslauriers brings his Olympic mount Emerson and up-and-comer Genial de B’Neville.
Fellow Canadian Kara Chad is knocking at the door for a win after taking second place in two FEI classes last week. This week, she’s tapped Corinna Z to get her higher on that podium, while 2022 Canadian National Champion Ali Ramsay brings back her same two mounts in Bonita VH Keizershof Z and Conrado 12
Representing Mexico, Eugenio Garza Perez steps into the four-star with his Olympic ride Contago and veteran campaigner Victer Finn DH Z. He also will pilot a newer mount, Chalouries PS. Teammate Patricio Pasquel (MEX) will bring forward Chakkalou PS, a horse that’s already won at the five-star level.
The ever competitive Kyle King (USA) is hungry for a win after it eluded him in the FEI division at the Canadian Premier. His four-star rides are Cerolino and Kayenne Z, with two in the two-star as well. Fellow American McKayla Langmeier has returned from her debut World Cup Finals appearance and has entered her Basel mount Mimosa VD Rollebeek as well as speed demon Chadina.
Joining the Americans is Pan American Games eventing double gold medalist Marilyn Little with her top mare La Contessa.
CSI4* action kicks off Wednesday and continues through Sunday. Full list of riders is here. Tickets are on sale now at tbird.ca/tickets.
Here’s What’s On this Week:
Wednesday, May 28
9 am | CSI2* tbird Welcome 1.40m
11 am | CSIO4* Happy Welcome 1.45m
4 pm | CSIO4* Nations Welcome Qualifier 1.50m
Thursday, May 29
9 am | Forest Edge Farm USHJA Int’l Derby 3’6″
11 am | Country Lane Farm Open USHJA Nat’l Hunter Derby Hunt & Go 3’0″
3 pm | CSIO4* Fobi 1.45m
4 pm | CSI2* Friends of tbird Qualifier 1.45m
Friday, May 30
3 pm | CSIO4* Grand Prix 1.55m
Saturday, May 31
1 pm | CSI2* Grand Prix 1.45m
4 pm | CSIO4* Uyradis Village 1.5m
Sunday, June 1
2 pm | CSIO4* Nations Cup 1.55m
All FEI classes will stream on ClipMyHorse and tbird.ca. All other rings are available on ShowGroundsLive.
