LANGLEY, BC – Gareth Graves (CAN) piloted his homebred mare O’Maryanne (“Annie”) to a commanding victory in the Crooks Young Horse 1.20m section at Thunderbird Show Park’s Spring Festival on Friday, stopping the clock at 34.75 seconds—more than four seconds faster than the runners-up.
Alicia Gadban-Henaut (CAN) on Talk Talk de Longchamps Z finished second in 38.72. Georgia Hunt (CAN) and Chapter One took third in 36.24 with four faults.
Bred by Graves himself, the striking nearly 18-hand mare is the first foal out of Coupe Champagne, a “local celebrity” mare campaigned up to the 1.40m height by Brian Morton and Chelsea McNeill before Graves took over the reins. Retired in 2017, Coupe Champagne became a broodmare, producing five foals—with Annie leading the way.
“I’m just over the freaking moon. She’s so lovely,” said Graves, noting his special connection with the Diamant de Semilly mare.
“I’ve never had this kind of connection with one. I love horses, but this is just a very different feeling. We’re very proud. Anyone who gives me five minutes of their time, it always circles back to Annie. And I’m so proud because really, she’s very green. But she’s so gutsy.”
Now aged seven, Annie had a relatively late start in her jumping career. Graves believes that patience has paid off in her development.
“She’s seven, she’s almost 18 hands, so we started only jumping at five. I guess by a certain standard she’s a bit behind, but to me she’s almost where I wish she needs to be in her body, in her brain to do this.”
Graves isn’t shy about Annie’s long-term potential, either.
“The Olympic Games, obviously,” he laughed.
“No, really, I think she’s got a big, big long future and I’m just trying to do my best for her and trying to keep up with her talent as best I can. I have a very strong feeling for the horse, as anyone with Instagram can probably tell. Check your socials!”
New this year, the Crooks Young Horse classes are now offered with no entry fee for the 2026 season. The series features two classes per week at each height level: 0.90m, 1.0m, 1.20m, and 1.30m. Designed to encourage the development of young show jumping talent, the Crooks Young Horse series gives breeders, trainers, and prospective buyers the opportunity to view the industry’s best breeding programs in a competitive setting at Thunderbird Show Park.
The Crooks Young Horse series returns to tbird May 26–31 for the Odlum Brown BC Open.
Crooks Show Jumping Young Horse 1.20m
- O’Maryanne / Gareth Graves / CAN / Jillian Halina / 0/0 34.75
- Talk Talk de Longchamps / Alicia Gadban-Henaut / Alicia Gadban-Henaut / 0/0 38.71
- Chapter One / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Abigail Cantelon / 0/4 36.24
- Clover B Sweet TL / Travis Root / USA / Lindsay Wendt / 2 82.94
- Up Pleasure / Allison Lagan / CAN / Allison Lagan / 3 83.97
- Wailea / Katie Laurie / NZL / Attache Stables / 4 77.74
