November 3, 2018 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Nicole Walker (CAN) claimed the $125,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championship title on Saturday night, November 3, at the 96th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Having claimed victory in Friday’s $25,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championship – Round One, presented by Lothlorien, Walker held the lead coming into Saturday night’s two-round competition.  The defending Canadian Champions, Amy Millar, 41, (CAN) and Heros piled on the pressure by opening Saturday night’s competition with a clear round while Walker incurred four faults.  When the top six in the standings went through to the all-deciding final, Walker kept her cool to deliver another clear jumping round, picking up one time fault over the course set by Ireland’s Alan Wade to bring her total score to five faults.  When Millar and Heros faulted the second time out, their final score of 7.13 penalty points left them in second place, handing Walker her first Canadian Show Jumping Championship title riding Falco van Spieveld, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.

“I will never forget this!” said Walker, who will celebrate her 25th birthday on Sunday, November 4.  “It feels amazing.  I’m very excited for my whole team, and I think the horse deserves a title like this because he’s such a special boy.  I’m glad he could have a title to his name.”

Canadian Olympian Beth (CAN) delivered a clear round riding Count Me In to finish in third position while 12-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion Ian Millar, 71, (CAN) took fourth place riding Calvin Klein for Brookstreet Stables.  Olympic team silver medalist Mac Cone (CAN) guided Zaia di san Giovanni to fifth for owner Mark Samuel’s Chadburn Holdings Inc. while Hyde Moffatt (CAN) also made the cut for the top six riding Granturo.

As the defending Under 25 National Champion at the Royal Horse Show, Walker has grown up competing at the annual Royal Horse Show.

Nicole Walker (CAN) aboard Falco van Spieveld is presented as the Canadian Show Jumping Championship by Karen Hendry-Ouellette of Equestrian Canada. 

“I had a lot of friends and family here tonight as it’s very close to home,” said Walker, who trains with 2012 Irish Olympic individual medalist Cian O’Connor (IRL) and his assistant trainer, Mark Kinsella.  “But beyond everything, the atmosphere is incredible here.  It has so much tradition.  I would recommend every rider to come visit it at some point, even if they’re not riding.  It’s just such a cool experience.”

With their top finishes on Saturday night, Walker and Amy Millar earned their tickets into the international division as the two highest placed finishers in the Canadian Show Jumping Championships not already qualified.  Erynn Ballard (CAN) Keean White (CAN) and Ian and Jonathon Millar (CAN) qualified based on their standings in the Longines World Rankings while Jump Canada’s high performance committee named Ali Ramsay (CAN) and Beth Underhill (CAN) as its two picks for the international division.  The international division opens on Wednesday, November 7, featuring the $36,000 Jolera International Welcome in the evening session.

More than 1,000 horses from around the globe will compete for $980,000 in prize money during the 10-day Royal Horse Show CSI 4*-W.  VIP Platinum and Gold seating, as well as group and individual tickets, are selling quickly.  All Royal Horse Show tickets include general admission to the Fair. Purchase tickets here.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horseshow.html.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Jump Media for Royal Horse Show

Photos: © Ben Radvanyi Photography