Christine Carlsen Clinches $10,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Royal Stake Victory
November 3, 2019 - Toronto, Ontario
Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Christine Carlsen of North York, ON, exceeded a goal she set for herself at the beginning of the year by winning the $10,000 Champion Shavings Junior/Amateur Jumper Royal Stake on Saturday, November 3, at the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 97th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
From a two-horse duel in the jump-off, Carlsen, 20, and her mount, Monchiniquie, were the only pair to produce a quick, double-clear result over tracks set by Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt. Alexandra Millar of Bolton, ON, settled for second place behind Carlsen after a rail fell for her and Vampyr van de Rib over the short course.
“At the beginning of the year, you always set a goal for what you want, and for me it’s always The Royal,” said Carlsen, who trains with Jonathon Millar and Kelly Soleau-Millar out of Millar Brooke Farm based in Perth, ON. “It’s such an honour to show here and momentous for a Canadian because it’s what everything during our year leads up to.
“I’m so happy I got to be here, but it’s incredible to win because all I was hoping for was to have a solid show,” continued Carlsen. “After we walked the course, we knew it was going to be difficult. I tried to ride the best I could, and I was lucky that she jumped as well as she did.”
While balancing her time in the competition ring with her third year at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, Carlsen has built a strong partnership with Monchiniquie, owned by Valhalla Equestrian, throughout their two year partnership. “She’s a lot colder than what you expect from a jumper, and it took a lot of work on the flat to get us where we are,” said Carlsen of the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cristo x Coriano). “We aren’t the fastest, but she can cut corners to be quick in the jump-off. That’s what helped us today.”
Carlsen will also pilot Monchiniquie in The Uplands Under 25 National Championship next weekend at the Royal Horse Show.
Rounding out the podium positions in the Champion Shavings Junior/Amateur Jumper Royal Stake, Sierra Mark of Augusta, ON, and Heat Wave 3E took third and were named champion of the three-class division after consistent top placings throughout the weekend.
Royal Wins at The Royal with Tatum Horan
The win in the $5,000 MarBill Hill Farm Royal Pony Jumper Final and the MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper Championship title went to Tatum Horan of Oakville, ON, and the aptly named Royal.
Fresh off a win in the $2,500 MarBill Hill Farm Royal Pony Jumper Stake earlier in the day, Horan and the 14-year-old, 14.1-hand Selle Français gelding were one of 16 entries to contest Sunday’s third and final class of the Pony Jumper division at The Royal.
A fault-free first round secured Horan and Royal’s place in the jump-off alongside four additional entries, and a clear ride over the Michel Vaillancourt-designed short course in 27.24 seconds clinched the victory for the pair.
“[Royal]’s been my favorite pony ever,” said Horan, who has owned the mount for two years and been competing at the Royal Horse Show for the last three years. “He’s very bouncy and hard to sit, but once you get the hang of it, he’s a really good boy!”
With two wins in the division, as well as a sixth-place finish in the $2,500 Royal Pony Jumper Welcome, Horan and Royal claimed the MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper Championship.
“I’m so grateful for all the hard work that my coaches and I have put into this pony, and it means a lot to me,” said Horan, who trains with Shara Pavan and was also presented with the Jane Hunter Sportsmanship Award. “It shows how hard you’ve worked all season to get here. It’s a special show to have at the end of the season.”
Finishing as the reserve champions in the Pony Jumper division after finishing second in the $5,000 MarBill Hill Farm Royal Pony Jumper Final were Charis Boland of Kemptville, ON, and Pocket Change, owned by Debbie Williams.
Kristjan Good and Chantilly Lace Get the Win in $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby
Kristjan Good of Campbellville, ON, rode Chantilly Lace to the win in the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby on Sunday afternoon at the Royal Horse Show.
When Good and the eight-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare entered the ring in the Coca-Cola Coliseum, the 2018 winner of the class, Isabelle Lapierre, had just taken over the top spot with an overall score of 102, including handy and high option bonus points, aboard Lamaze OBF, owned by Margot Clarke-Smith.
Lapierre’s lead was short lived however, as Good and Chantilly Lace, owned by Shannon Walter, quickly took over the leaderboard with a total score of 103 over the course designed by Meaghan Rawlins of Victoria, BC.
Both Good’s and Lapierre’s scores would prove untouchable by any of the remaining entries in the 21-horse field, securing the second-place honour for Lapierre, of Levis, QC, and the win for Good.
“Chantilly Lace was very, very handy,” said Good of the mare he first started competing in derbies in 2018. “She’s a game animal. She always tries for you, and nothing really ever fazes her. She’s just fun all around.”
Good’s strong performances in Canadian Hunter Derby Series (CHDS) events throughout the past years have earned him the nickname the “derby whisperer,” but Sunday’s win marked his first derby victory at The Royal. “It’s very special because it was a good year, and I went in thinking if it was just a smooth show, I’d be happy, so to do this exceeded the expectations,” said Good, 31.
Finishing in third behind Good and Lapierre with a score of 95 was Margaret Guthrie of Guelph, ON, and Damiro van ter Notelaere, owned by Knightwood Stables.
Each of the horses in Sunday afternoon’s class qualified through the Canadian Hunter Derby Series, running throughout the season at horse shows across the country. Hunter Derby competition returns to the Coca-Cola Coliseum on Tuesday, November 5, with the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby beginning at 7 p.m. The overall high point horse from both the Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby and the Knightwood Hunter Derby will be presented with the Lorna Jean Guthrie Challenge Trophy.
The Royal Horse Show continues with amateur-owner and adult hunter competition on Monday, November 4. The Jump Canada National Medal Finals, the $25,000 Knightwood Hunter Derby, and the Royal Dressage Derby Night take the spotlight on Tuesday, November 5. The international show jumping division opens on Wednesday, November 6, featuring the $37,000 Jolera International Strength & Speed Challenge on Wednesday evening, as anticipation builds for the $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Toronto on Saturday night, November 7.
More than 1,000 horses from around the globe are competing for $980,000 in prize money during the 10-day CSI4*-W Royal Horse Show. VIP Platinum and Gold seating, as well as group and individual tickets, can be purchased here. All Royal Horse Show tickets include general admission to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
For more information, visit royalfair.org/horse-show.
Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.
$10,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m Jumper Stake Results
Sunday, November 3
Rider Hometown Horse Faults/Time
1. Christine Carlsen North York, ON Monchiniquie 0/0/38.59
2. Alexandra Millar Bolton, ON Vampyr Van De Rib 0/4/40.75
3. Sierra Mark Augusta, ON Heat Wave 3E 4/60.05
4. Barbara Ruziska Ijamsville, MD Dynamite 4/61.24
5. Chanelle Sjolander Oakville, ON Cuenta Atras 4/61.81
6. Sara Tindale Campbellville, ON Djibab Van De Linthorst 4/62.14
7. Susan Horn Bolton, ON Chacca Keeps II 4/63.19
8. Charlotte McLaughlin Ottawa, ON Dublin 8/60.96
$5,000 MarBill Hill Royal Pony Jumper Final
Sunday, November 3
Rider Hometown Horse Faults/Time
1. Tatum Horan Oakville, ON Royal 0/0/27.24
2. Charis Boland Kemptville, ON Pocket Change 0/0/32.47
3. Grace Stevenson Lakeside, NB Ever So Clever 0/0/32.48
4. Jessie Elford-Coote Tottenham, ON Temper Of Tony 0/8/31.00
5. Enjoli Hue Oakville, ON Gailic 0/elim.
6. Sydney Freeman Bracebridge, ON No Rhyme, No Reason 4
7. Naomy Beaulieu Carigan, QC Flash McQueen 4
8. Kilby Brunner Deforest Hillsburgh, ON Beaverwood's Halo 4
9. Ellie Ratcliff Gravenhurst, ON Moody Blue 4
10. Sylvanna Shedrick-Otanez Dollard des Ormeaux, QC Superman Sonny 8
$15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby Results
Sunday, November 3
Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Kristjan Good Campbellville, ON Chantilly Lace 103
2. Isabelle Lapierre Levis, QC Lamaze OBF 102
3. Margaret Guthrie Guelph, ON Damiro Van Ter Notelaere 95
4. Ashley Arnoldt Langley, BC Carivero 92
5. Katie Uloth Tottenham, ON Enchanted 91
6. Leanna Lazzari Mississauga, ON UFO De Nisi 89
7. Brianna Ballard St Lazare, QC Jazz Air 88
8. Carly Campbell-Cooper Waterloo, ON Charlie Chaplin 87
9. Kristjan Good Campbellville, ON Salvo RSF 84
10. Jillian Nicholls Loretto, ON Limbo 124 83
About The Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian event. This year marks the 97th anniversary of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Canada, from November 1-10, 2019. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.
