– Tamie Phillips and Lucas won the Kubota Cup Derby at the Twin Oaks Derby Show, Sunday August 13, propelling her into the lead to claim the Kubota Cup Western Canadian Championship. Winning the Series title for the second time in two years makes it two for two for Phillips.

The Kubota Cup Western Canadian Championships takes place at Twin Oaks Farm which overlooks the banks of the Fraser River, just blocks from downtown Richmond, British Columbia. Majestic sea faring ships pass frequently throughout the day creating a backdrop not found anywhere else in Canada for a show jumping venue.

The hot costal sun wasn’t the only thing heating up the derby field, one of the best developed turf courses to be found anywhere in North America. Brightly coloured show jumps set amongst natural elements of logs, banks, grobs and dikes were situated on course with ultimate sport in mind. The impressive 1m45 derby course designed by Peter Holmes of Victoria BC was more indicative of a elite golf course with its manicured turf trimmed to a precise cut giving the illusion of country club estates instead of the battlefield it was.

Coming into the third qualifying event for the Western Division of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series, Leader Emily George (Calgary, AB) held a fragile foothold only 15 points ahead of Tamie Phillips (Strathmore, AB). George as a rookie was at a disadvantage as derby competitions are uncommon in a Canadian season. Phillips was an experienced veteran on a mission and arrived here at one of Lucas’s favourite venues as indicated by many successful rides throughout their long term relationship.

Thirty Five entered the 2006 Twin Oaks event including Canadian, American and Irish veterans, rookies and Olympians. Riding in as the thirteenth entry Phillips appeared confident and focused. With no clear rounds on the board at this point of the program it was time to make a change. Jumping with precision and determination it was obvious team work when they exited the ring as the first clear of the afternoon.

It only took two more entries before the Grand Master of Spruce Meadows, Albert Kley (Calgary, AB), and Daiquiri SM, rode the second clear round to join Philips in the jump off.

Following Kley, rails continued to rain down leaving the remaining riders strained and stressed as the course took its toll due to its length, height and degree of difficulty.

Emily George and Smart Thinking, leaders of the western series, entered the ring with tension building. Dropping four rails on course George shot her chances of claiming the title of Kubota Cup Western Champion out of contention.

Jonathan Asselin entered the derby with three rides, Lolita (second in the series), Rosita Fly (seventh on the leader board) and along with his young rising star Rayanna Chiaria, he appeared to have all bases covered.

Third horse to enter on course, Asselin and Lolita lost their chance to win the Western Division when they downed two unforgiving rails, placing them in eleventh place for qualifying points.

Having to ride and coach can cost a Grand Prix rider focus, which Jonathan Asselin experienced in the Kubota Cup Derby on Sunday. While waiting his turn in the chute, his student Kelly Koss took on the derby course and ran into trouble immediately at jump one. Never managing to regroup, Koss and her partner Coolio separated at the third element when Koss hit the turf rolling. Football players in full play have it easier then a rider ejecting out of the tack. Ensuring Koss’s safety before remounting to enter the arena, Asselin had no time to mentally prepare. Finishing as another one of Peter Holmes’ hostages with too many faults, Rosita Fly and Asselin did not move up the leader board.

With one more kick at the can Asselin entered the ring at the end of the program riding Rayanna Chiaria. The pressure was on and Asselin rose to the occasion. With his time well under the allowed 152 seconds and the third clear round, Asselin and Chiaria brought the crowd to its feet with cheers.

Entering the jump off first, Tamie Phillips laid down a blazing clear round of 42.08 seconds, bringing spectators back to their feet with a roar. Albert Kley took on the challenge but with a rail down and final time of 46.88 seconds gave Tamie the lead. Jonathan Asselin, never letting up on the gas pedal, had the best time of 41.42 seconds but dropping a light rail slid him into second with Rayana Chiaria.

Maintaining her status as ‘Keeper of the Cup’, Tamie Phillips performed an impressive round of jumping in the third western division qualifier of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series. Winning the Kubota Cup Derby at the Twin Oaks show gave Tamie Phillips $10,000 first place purse money and Lucas as contributing partner was awarded a complete therapeutic bedding system from Softstall™ valued at $675 as well as a Sereno™ exclusive Kubota orange Ultra-suede saddle pad from Ogilvy Horse.

This win at the Kubota Cup Derby gave Tamie Phillips and Lucas the lead in the series with 53 points over Jonathan Asselin and Lolita. Emily George and Smart Thinking slid down into a respectable third place finish out of the forty two horse and rider teams competing in the western division.

And as predicted Gary Brewster was not one to be ignored in this derby round. Slyly sitting in a steady fourth, sixth and ninth position coming into the final qualifier Brewster’s day, had it been slightly different, could have rearranged the numbers even more to his benefit. Yet he still finished in the top five with Royal Viali (4), Hurricane (5) and in case nobody noticed Watermark slipped up into sixth.

The leading top 5 qualifiers of the Western division of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series share part of the $30,000 Kubota Canada Bursary Award presented to assist them in attending the Kubota Cup National Finals in Toronto, Ontario November 4, 2006. In addition each of the top five qualifiers wins a trophy jacket supplied by Traditional Horsewear™ which will be presented at the Kubota Cup National Finals.

Again as stated in earlier press, the winner of the Kubota Cup Western Canadian Champion definitely earns the majority of the booty made available to the national series – split into two conferences, Eastern and Western, eligible Canadian riders compete for points to qualify them for regional title, and various awards such as the new Kubota RTV900 Utility Vehicle and an Italian Crystal trophy, from Kubota Canada Ltd are presented in recognition of their consistent effort of competition.

Along with Kubota Canada as title sponsor of the series, the additional associate sponsors give the competitors more reasons to challenge for the Kubota Cup. The Kubota Cup Champion earns a $ 2,250 CWD Saddle equipment voucher and a trio of orthopaedic saddle pads from Ogilvy Horse valued at $500, as well the Kubota Cup Reserve Champion takes home a $1,500 equipment voucher from CWD Saddles.

The Kubota Cup Eastern Division is still in action as the third qualifier will be taking place Sunday, August 20 at the Kubota Collingwood Classic in Collingwood, Ontario. Currently John Pearce and Archie Bunker hold a slim lead over Lauren Hunkin with Jonathan Millar chasing hard on the leaders. The Maritime Fall Fair in Halifax, Nova Scotia will bring you the winner of the Eastern Canadian Championships for the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series on October 14, 2006.