Carly Campbell-Cooper Speeds to Victory at Wesley Clover Parks

Carly Campbell-Cooper of Omemee, ON, sped to victory in the $5,000 Struck Speed Derby on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

Held as part of the Ottawa Summer Tournaments I taking place from July 5 to 9, 2023, the $5,000 Struck Speed Derby attracted 19 entries to the grass field where speed was the name of the game with the fastest time winning.  While riders were encouraged to step on the gas pedal, they incurred a four-second penalty for each downed rail.

As the fifth rider to tackle the speed track set by FEI course designer Steffen Buhling of Germany, Campbell-Cooper laid down a clear round in a time of 73.56 seconds.  Then it was a waiting game as the 14 remaining challengers tried to catch her time.

Stephanie Bourassa of Laval, QC, came the closest with a clear round in a time of 75.21 seconds riding Chrome d’Argouges to eventually earn second place.  As the final challenger, Jeanne Boudrias of Saint Laurent, QC, kept her hopes for a win alive by leaving all the rails in place with her mount, Capteyn TD Z, but a time of 76.33 seconds would place them third in the final standings.  With that, Campbell-Cooper breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated victory with her winning mount, Leon von Briesen, owned by John Jamieson.

“My horse has so much heart,” said Campbell-Cooper.  “He is completely brave, and I don’t have to set him up a lot; he reads the jumps himself well and has a fast way of covering the ground.  There was an inside option to the double combination so we did that, and I felt I could trust him in the devil’s dyke.

“I thought that the course designer had been building quite nice courses all week, and this was very welcoming,” continued Campbell-Cooper.  “He really used the whole field, allowing you to get on a good gallop.  It made for a fun class!”

Campbell-Cooper and Jamieson purchased Leon von Briesen at the end of his five-year-old year from his breeder in Germany.  Now seven, the approved breeding stallion by Lordanos is rewarding the pair’s faith in him.

“I haven’t been to Wesley Clover in three years, and coming back I remembered how special it was,” she said.  “I was lucky enough to also do the hunter derby earlier today.  It is rare to get out on the grass, and that’s why I chose the class today in particular for Leon von Briesen.  It did not disappoint!  I’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsor, as I love Struck Apparel and am a sponsored rider.  Thank you also to Karen Sparks and the management team at Wesley Clover Parks.”

Taylor Brooks Wins $10,000 Hunter Derby

Friday’s competition on the grass field opened with the $10,000 Gladys Adam Memorial Hunter Derby, presented by Pommies Cider Co.  A total of 37 horse and rider combinations took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their horses over natural obstacles on the grass with hometown favourite Taylor Brooks of Ashton, ON, emerging victorious with the flashy chestnut gelding, Spectre.  The 10-year-old Zangersheide owned by Taylor Bond impressed the judges to take the win over Kristjan Good of Campbellville, ON, riding On The Bay for owner Jennifer Dean.

The Ottawa Summer Tournament I continues with the $50,000 RBC Grand Prix, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 8.  The first week of competition wraps on Sunday, July 9, with the $5,000 Modified Grand Prix, presented by Cristina’s Equine Bodywork, followed by the $5,000 OHJA Nations’ Cup.  Show jumping action continues with the Ottawa Summer Tournament II from July 12 to 16, highlighted by the $50,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Saturday, July 15, at 4 p.m.

The Ottawa Summer Tournaments, now in their ninth season, once again features the $10,000 Under 25 MarBill Hill Farm Jumper Bonus and Circuit Award.  Competitors are also earning points toward the Ottawa Circuit Awards, presented by Ride Every Stride.  For more information and to register, visit www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/special-awards.

Hospitality options abound in Wesley Clover Parks’ expansive hospitality tent with tables of six, weekly passes, and day passes available.  Reservations can be made at https://www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/hospitality.

General admission spectator tickets are also available for the Ottawa Summer Tournaments at https://www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/spectators.

For more information on the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, visit www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com.  All competitor information is available at www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/calendar-2023 and full results can be found at www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/results-2023.  Get the latest updates, news, and photos by following Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments on Facebook here and Instagram and Twitter @TheWCParks.  Share your Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments experience by tagging @TheWCParks and #RideTheParks!

$5,000 Struck Speed Derby - Friday, July 7, 2023

Rider / Hometown / Horse / Faults / Time
1.  Carly Campbell-Cooper / Omemee, ON / Leon von Briesen / 0 / 73.56
2.  Stephanie Bourassa / Laval, QC / Chrome d’Argouges / 0 / 75.21
3.  Jeanne Boudrias / Saint Laurent, QC / Capteyn TD Z / 0 / 76.33
4.  Sarah Johnstone / Collingwood, ON / Laszla / 4 / 78.20
5.  Rayne Dubois / Ottawa, ON / Eristos de l’Heribus / 4 / 80.23
6.  Emma Saunders / Kingston, ON / Cedo / 4 /81.37
7.  Philippe Lacasse / Lac Brome, QC / Beaulieu’s Quest / 0 / 82.05
8.  Maria Yzerman / Montreal, QC / Charleston de Delavallee / 4 / 84.53
9.  Lauren Hayes / Mono, ON / Ikon NR / 0 / 85.69
10.  Maria Yzerman / Montreal, QC / Lazarro / 8 / 85.85