Ph. MoiPhotography
Thunderbird Show Park welcomed new sponsor Artisan Farms on Thursday, June 2nd as it hosted the $34,600 Artisan Farms Nations Welcome CSIO4*. The jumpoff class attracted a field of 63 starters and served as an opportunity for Friday’s Nations Cup riders to get into the ring and test out their horses before the Nations Cup on Friday.
Artisan riders Eric Lamaze and Tiffany Foster of Canada both had clear first rounds as well as Canadians, Elizabeth Gingras, Vanessa Maddix, and Amy Millar. The first round ended up with eleven coming back for the jump off. But on this first day of CSIO4* competition at Thunderbird —a new rating for the facility that is located outside of Vancouver, British Columbia– it was an Irish rider who shone in the winner’s circle.
Ireland’s Conor Swail followed up on a very successful two weeks at Caledon Equestrian Park, where he picked up multiple victories, with the Welcome win at Thunderbird.
He did it aboard Sue and Ariel Grange’s Cita, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (CAsall x Pik Ramino). Swail was nearly two seconds faster than 2nd placed finisher Lamaze and Melody des Hayettes Z, making easy work of the jumpoff. Millar and Heros placed 3rd, and another Irish rider, Daniel Coyle, was 4th with Ridley. Lamaze rounded out the top five on his second mount Coco Bongo.
Find full results of the $34,600 Artisan Farms Nations Welcome CSIO4* at this link. The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Thunderbird Showpark gets underway on Friday, June 3rd at 4:00pm local time, and can be seen on FEItv.com.