COLLINGWOOD, ON - August 20, 2006 - Margie Gayford galloped to victory in the Kubota Cup Grand Prix Sunday afternoon in front of cheers and tears.

In front of the cheering crowd Gayford and her 10 year old Belgian partner, Stuntman, crossed the finish line in a scorching point zero five seconds ahead of the Kubota Cup Eastern Series challengers, John Pearce and Archie Bunker. And mixed amongst the cheers were a few tears as Gayford and Stuntman will be the last of the winners to walk off Fischer Field. This Grand Prix brings to close 20 years of Show Jumping tradition in Collingwood, Ontario. Residential growth and expansion have claimed the lands used for equestrian sports, which has hosted many of the crucial World Cup qualifiers necessary to Canada in fielding competitive international teams.

But joy was also prevalent in the infield with the popping of champagne corks during the break in the tournament, when title sponsor John Gilliland, National Marketing Manager for Kubota Canada Ltd, proposed a toast to the foresight of the Hayes’ management team in proactively securing a new location at the Thornbury Horse Park overlooking Georgian Bay commencing in 2007.

Action in Grand Prix Show Jumping was at its best in the Kubota Cup Series Qualifier with twenty six entries in the third leg of the Eastern Division. The point shuffle began to broil from the heat of the competition.

Getting closer to the top of the standings are Stuntman and Margie Gayford (Sharon, ON) who had been sitting low down the leader board after the first July qualifier. Due to a travel weary horse arriving from his western Canada circuit Gayford made the decision to bypass the Quebec Kubota Cup event. Gayford’s commitment to her horse’s welfare was obvious with their outstanding performance at the Kubota Collingwood Classic on August 20th which earned them 190 points and a place in the top ten heading into the Halifax finals.

Defending Eastern Canadian Champion John Pearce (Stoufville, ON) and Archie Bunker responded to Gayford’s point rush. Heading into the last fence without his stirrup may have determined his second place in this Grand Prix but the 170 points awarded has created a stronger point lead overall.

Rookie rider Lauren Hunkin (Perth, ON) kept her focus despite the adrenaline rush her fifth place finish provided. When asked for her comments Hunkin was quite clear about her excitement for the sport. “Sitting so close to JP on the leader board gave me confidence galloping to the start line” commented Hunkin. “Basically it felt like I was riding a freight train. Orleans has awesome power and was pulling me to the jumps so I just kept pointing him in the right direction.” Hunkin enthused. Earning an additional 155 qualifying points maintains Hunkin and Orleans in second place on the leader board trailing Pearce and Archie. But she was left with a precarious hold on her position when Pearce rode a strategic slide into third with Champagne, casting a tie for second along side Hunkin.

Pearce’s game plan has been to incorporate his three horses into a defensive line against the challengers for the Kubota Cup. Keeping the rookie behind him is proving difficult but using his anchor ride, Champagne to block Michael Grinyer has proven to be a good move. Champagne galloped through the Grand Prix clear into third place money. Blocking Jonathan Millar’s move on the board and slowing down Grinyer has Pearce well positioned with his first, second and fifth positions as they prepare to ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Eastern Championships in October.

Michael Grinyer (Campbellville, ON) is also riding to plan with 2 horses Alcatraz 34 and Garth. Coming into the third qualifier Grinyer was well positioned in sixth and seventh protecting him from Olympian Beth Underhill and other unknown pressures. Underhill is recognized as a real threat when given the opportunity to ride in a jump off and as predicted in earlier press, she and Magdaline galloped up the leader board into the top ten here on Sunday.

Posing a serious menace as he prepared to break through the Grinyer defensive line was Jonathan Millar (Perth, ON) with Noble 1. Clearing Guilherme Jorge’s technical 1 metre 50 course they succeeded to jump over Grinyer’s hold in the division and are currently sitting in third, sandwiched between the Pearce boys.

Grinyer remained cool to the challenge by riding Alcatraz to the 6th clear of the afternoon. They still continue to shadow the leaders with no change in their standings as they prepare for the Eastern Championships.

The Kubota Cup Eastern Division has become a simmering pot of talent and emotions. Leaving the relative close confines of Ontario and Quebec where three of the four qualifiers are hosted, serious contenders will now make the 22 hour journey to the Maritime Fall Fair October 14th. Hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia, competition will continue in front of a faithful hometown crowd as Atlantic Canada supports Equestrian Show Jumping sport with enthusiasm and this year’s participants, vying for the Kubota Cup Eastern Canadian Championships, are in a serious points race to the finish.

Winner of the Kubota Cup Eastern Canadian Championships will take home a trio of Sereno Orthopaedic Saddle Pads ($500) from Ogilvy Horse™, a supply of equipment from CWD Saddles ($2,250), an Italian Crystal Trophy and a brand new RTV900 Utility Vehicle ($15,000) from title sponsor, Kubota Canada Ltd.

The top five qualifiers will also win Melton Trophy Jackets as well as an all expense paid trip to the Kubota Cup National Finals in Toronto, November 4.

Follow along online at www.kubotacup.ca or contact www.maritimefallfair.com for ticket sales or information for live action at the Kubota Cup Eastern Canadian Championships, Halifax, Nova Scotia Saturday, October 14, 2006