Millar INC Dominates National Finals

Toronto, ON - Competing in Saturday night's Kubota Cup National Finals, Ian Millar once again set the standard for Show Jumping consistency by taking the win in 2007.


The action had narrowed down to a three horse jump-off with Millar mounted on the rising star, Redefin, veteran competitors Mike Grinyer and Alcatraz 34 and Two-time Canadian Champion Ainsley Vince riding Cantera Z left to determine this years national champion but first spectators at the Royal Horse Show witnessed history in the making.

The Kubota Cup Series is a national Grand Prix tour where men and women compete as equals and where youth and maturity test their jumping skills against each other. You rarely see a young teenager compete against the level of competitor as was seen during Saturday night’s Kubota Cup National Finals.

15 year old, Billie Derouet (Quebec) entered grand prix competition just this spring yet qualified for entry to the National Finals. Selected to ride last, she watched the course of 12 jumps defeat veterans show jumpers, older rookies and recent title holders through out the evening. With only Captain Canada left to contest, little Billie Derouet, galloped fearlessly through the technical course designed by Olympian Michel Vaillancourt. The crowd was at the edge of their seats, willing her to success, when the last fence came down 62 seconds from a clear round! Billie Derouet (15) rounded out the final results in fifth place and it was an evening to remember, when ‘David came to meet Goliath’ and walked away unscathed.

Final outcome of the 2007 Kubota Cup National Finals wrapped up with Redefin, owned by Sue Grange/Lothlorien Farms, ON ridden by Ian Millar in first place. In second Cantera Z owned by Iron Horse Farms, Hamilton, ON and ridden by Ainsley Vince. Third place was awarded to Alcatraz 34, owned and ridden by Michael Grinyer, Campbellville, ON. In fourth place, Costa Rica Z owned by Victoria Pitman/Millar Brooke Farms, ON, and piloted by Amy Millar added to the Millar family’s very successful opening weekend at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, in downtown Toronto, ON.

Other awards of note for the evening were handed out to: Ainsley Vince (Milton, ON) voted the CAVALOR MVP Athlete and the Leading Canadian Owner of Kubota Cup Grand Prix horses was presented by Game Ready Systems to Millar Brooke Farms (Perth ON). The winning horse, Redefin (1998 Dutch gelding sired by Larino x Zeus) was presented with a complete therapeutic bedding system by SoftStall™ and the Winning Groom award was presented by ShowOne Inc. Ian Millar in addition to his prize money also received a custom Calibre Saddle and Parlanti Boots by Maple Springs Saddlery, BC adding a most successful day ‘at the office’ for 9 time Olympian, Ian Millar.

Top 6 in the 2007 Kubota Cup National Final
1. Ian Millar / Redefin
2. Ainsley Vince / Cantera Z
3. Michael Grinyer / Alcatraz
4. Amy Millar / Costa Rica Z
5. Billie Derouet / Sweet Dreams
6. Lauren Hunkin / Larry 0146