Richmond, BC – Emily George (Calgary) had no idea what she was jumping into when it was suggested to her to ride in the ‘big boys game’ of Grand Prix Show Jumping. This spring at the first qualifier for the western division of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series, Emily George (21) set the pace by winning the Grand Prix opener at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, April 1. Shocking the competition and herself, Emily brushed it off as luck but it was more then luck when she finished in the money for the second time in the Kubota Cup Grand Prix in Edmonton, Alberta June 3 establishing the lead position in the Western Division.

Challenging the leadership from the third hole is Tamie Phillips (Alberta). Holding her position only a mere 15 points behind George, Phillips is in the best position to slide into first should the course unfold her way. Tamie Phillips and Lucas (10 year old Canadian Warmblood Gelding) are the defending 2005 Kubota Cup Western Champions. Claims Phillips, “Because this is a derby and this event suits my horse, we now stand a very good chance. It would be nice to win again!”

Let’s not ignore the guy sitting in second place behind George, Olympian Jonathan Asselin (Calgary). He has been quietly keeping his horse’s nose tight on George’s tail with only 8 points of separation. Winning on Sunday in the Kubota Cup Derby will ensure the Championship for Asselin and his partner Lolita as George’s lead is fragile at best.

And then you have the BC power house clearly waiting to claim hometown advantage. Winner of the 2006 Twin Oaks Kubota Cup Derby, Gary Brewster (North Vancouver) is in position to steal home base with his three great hometown boys - Watermark, Royal Viali and Hurricane the horse he is has riden into fourth position. This may be the time to put your money on a local rider, right across the board.

The Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series was developed to recognize and reward only Canadian riders with qualifying points. This adds confusion to the accounting system as there is an expected field of 40 entries in the Kubota Cup Derby this coming Sunday, with a large smattering of American competitors, but once understood the beauty of it makes perfect sense. Anybody can win the money but only a Canadian can earn the points and the booty that comes with it – Prestige, the title of Kubota Cup Western Canadian Champion and awards such as a new Kubota RTV Utility Vehicle to keep, an Italian Crystal trophy (you need 2 strong men to carry it for you), a $7500 Custom made saddle from CWD Saddles, $500 dollars worth of orthopaedic saddle pads from Ogilvy Horse, a therapeutic bedding system for the winning horse worth $675 from SoftStall™, and a free ride to the Kubota Cup National Finals hosted in Toronto, Ontario this November 4th.