Kubota Cup - CANADIAN SHOW JUMPING SERIES
2006 NATIONAL FINALS
Ottawa, ON (October 30, 2006) - Anticipation is mounting as 21 elite Grand Prix Equestrian riders arrive in Toronto, ON to compete in one of the premier events in Canadian Show Jumping, the Kubota Cup National Finals. The grand finale gets underway November 4, 2006 at the Ricoh Centre, Exhibition Park hosted at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The riders, who upon conclusion of the regular season, are all high point qualifiers but will start with a zero balance for this final Grand Prix event. It will all come down to the last ride of the night in determining who will be the 2006 Kubota Cup National Finals Champion.
Top ranked John Pearce, 46 (Stouffville, ON), arrives in Toronto with a mere 48 point lead over rookie Lauren Hunkin, 25 (Perth, ON). Pearce’s overall season has been sensational with earnings of $350,570, putting him at the top of the 2006 list of Canadian money earners. Pearce will be facing, for the first time this season, Western Canadian Champion Tamie Phillips, who hails from Alberta.
Phillips is enjoying the best season of her career. As the top ranked rider of the western division Tamie Phillips, 34 (Strathmore, AB), is leading 53 points over 2nd placed Jonathan Asselin, 48 (Calgary, AB). Earning the Kubota Cup Western Canadian Championships for the second year in Richmond, BC, Phillips career had gained momentum. Phillips is entering the closing round in Toronto as a top candidate for both the Kubota Cup National Finals as well as the national Jump Canada Series.
With 21 qualifiers taking a shot at the National Finals champion title – the winner could be anyone from the Kubota Cup Leader Board. On Saturday night it will be down to the wire for many. Pearce, Millar, Gayford, Grinyer, Hayes, and Underhill are all seasoned veterans, some riding more then one horse which gives them a bigger margin for success. Phillips, Brewster, Cudmore form the western power but they arrive after their 2500 miles trip to Toronto which creates a slight disadvantage. And with a full slate of rookies hot off their winning steaks; Hunkin, Alfonso, Nihon, Reisman, and George, a tough day at the office would not begin to compare to what faces these show jumpers. Bright lights, big jumps, riders hurting from twisted bones, frayed nerves; all of this is guaranteed to bring you exciting Canadian Grand Prix Show Jumping.
Kubota Cup National Finals performance times at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Park, in Toronto is 7 pm on Saturday November 4th with Grand Prix action underway at 9:00 pm.