The Grand Prix class was a nail biter to the end before a capacity crowd in Halifax’s Exhibition Park. Ten competitors out of the 32 in the first round made it into the jump-off by posting clear rounds under the 74 second time allowed. First to return to the ring, carrying the standard for and the hearts of the fans on her back was Geary, New Brunswick’s Deanna Phelan, the lone resident Maritimer in the class, riding her 11 year old Oldenburg mare, Sunshine. After incurring eight faults with both of her horses in Friday night’s Open Jumper Welcome, Phelan had said “Hopefully, we’ll do better tomorrow.” And, better they did! With only one rail down and a time of 44.850, well under the 47 second time allowed, they finished eighth when the dust had settled.

Mario Deslauriers rode two horses, back to back. Paradigm, his 11 year old Belgian Warmblood gelding had one rail at the “Lighthouse” and bettered Phelan’s time at 42.485 seconds. Deslauriers returned and set a blistering pace, with his lovely mare, Naomi, showing his mastery of Danny Foster’s course finishing up clear in a time of 40.771 seconds.

Michael Grinyer, riding John Kersley’s horse Moritz, had a refusal at jump number 3 incurring 4 jumping faults and 5 time faults. Beth Underhill and Magdaline also had 4 faults but were under the time allowed at 41.25 seconds.

Margie Gayford took all the chances on Stuntman in an effort to win the class but unfortunately went off course and ended up 10th overall. Jonathan Millar, riding Alison Moore’s agile horse, Chianto, went clear but not fast enough at 42.621 seconds.

Deslauriers returned on his eight year old Hanoverian, Graf Lando. The pair was fast and took over second place by 1/100th of a second.

Amy Millar aboard Costa Rica Z had an excellent round but slowed down approaching the last fence and had it down.

Riding last in the jump-off aboard Champagne, John Pearce had nothing to lose. They took every possible tricky inside turn and went clear, beating Deslauriers and Naomi’s time by .071 of a second to capture the class.