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Allyson Hawkes Soars to Victory at 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament
Ottawa, Ontario – July 14, 2006 – American Allyson Hawkes crossed the border and soared to victory in the $35,000 Brookstreet Jumping Derby at the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament. The international equestrian event ends July 16 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.
Not for the faint of heart, the $35,000 Brookstreet Jumping Derby saw horses and riders climbing up a grass bank before jumping off the other side, then disappearing down into a deep ditch to negotiate the dreaded 'devil's dyke'. Only the brave survived the track set by course designer Conrad Homfeld, with three riders parting ways with their mounts along the way and another two being eliminated. Of the 23 entries, it was the second-last competitor on course, Hawkes of Jersey City, NJ, who finally delivered a clear round. She snuck in just under the time allowed of 99 seconds, stopping the clock at 98.26 seconds with her mount, Tuesday.
"My horse is amazing," said Hawkes, an amateur athlete who works as an attorney in New York City. "She is a quality horse as evidenced by her performance out there today. She will turn herself inside out to get over the jumps!"
Hawkes missed competing in last year's Jumping Derby when a severe thunderstorm pre-empted the proceedings more than half-way through the competition.
"I was very nervous because I have never done anything like this," confided Hawkes, who earned $10,000 for her victory. "Last year we were warming up when the thunderstorm hit, so we didn't compete."
Tuesday is a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare that her coach, Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Kappler, found for her two years ago in Holland. It was a case of the student besting the teacher in the $35,000 Brookstreet Jumping Derby as Kappler finished fourth riding VDL Maseratie.
In second place was another American, Jennifer Hannan who hails from Wakefield, New Jersey. The 23-year-old incurred one fault for exceeding the time allowed with Gemini de Terlong, a 12-year-old Selle Francais mare.
"I just started riding this mare last fall, and I love her!" said Hannan, who was also competing in the Jumping Derby for the first time. "I was so cautious in trying to ride to my plan that I ended up having a time fault."
Finishing third was Virginia's Tracy Weinberg riding Cromwell. She had the day's only four-fault round to place third. Following Kappler in the standings, defending champions Ian Millar and Promise Me were the top-placed Canadian combination, taking fifth. Hyde Moffat of Brantford, ON, took sixth riding Ting Tin.
Sunday brings the $60,000 'Kubota Cup' Big Ben Memorial Grand Prix, the featured event of the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament. Frankie Chesler, 25, will attempt to defend her title, but faces stiff competition from such Canadian greats as Eric Lamaze, John Pearce, Chris Pratt and eight-time Olympian Ian Millar, as well as American Olympic Gold Medalists, Chris Kappler and Joe Fargis.
Located in Ottawa’s west-end at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, at the Moodie Drive exit off of the 417 Highway, the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament attracts more than 10,000 spectators annually. Admission is $10 per person on Sunday with children 12 and under admitted free. For more information, please visit www.capitalclassic.ca.
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