October 16, 2008 – Halifax, NS. The Kubota Cup Eastern Championships could already be in Yann Candele’s saddle bags upon his arrival in Halifax this week.

Leading the Eastern Canadian Division with 350 points, word just came down from the entry office that his closest rival, Erynn Ballard and her jumping machine Robin Van Roosendal, just scratched from the final qualifier in the Kubota Cup eastern series, bumping up the Flying Frenchman’s chance of success with Sue Grange’s mare Mustique in this weekend Kubota Cup Grand Prix.

But many factors must still be considered before the final outcome plays out Saturday night. Thirty five riders have been entered, making this the biggest show jumping event ever to be held over the tight indoor track at the Maritime Fall Fair.

With its sold out crowd, people will be packing into the Exhibition Park Coliseum creating a sea of colour and movement. Energy has been building in this Maritime city for the annual high performance show jumping extravagant as returning hometown equestrians Angela Covert-Lawrence, Paul Halpern, and Maritime favourite Deanna Phelan will be in attendance. Missing from action ,this year due to demands requested by the Canadian Equestrian Team, will be Ian Millar who is a world famous Haligonian. Not one to leave show jumping fans disappointed, the most famous Canadian Equestrian family will have both daughter Amy and son Jonathon, representing the Next Generation of equestrian excellence, along with their top representatives, Karen Sparks, Alexander Grayton, Billie Derouet and Lauren Hunkin.

Two time Olympian Jay Hayes and daughter Lauren Hayes, who stand third and fourth respectfully on the Kubota Cup Eastern Leader Board, have pulled out all the stops on the journey to Halifax this year. 2007 Halifax Grand Prix winner and Olympian Beth Underhill is back but this time riding three top horses. Add the Dutchman Martien Van der Hoeven, veterans Mike Grinyer and Hyde Moffatt plus the rookies who never quit, all combine for a 2008 Kubota Cup Canadian Eastern Canadian Championships guaranteed to deliver great show jumping sport.

Who will take the Cup, along with the 2008 Kubota RTV500 Utility Vehicle, money, prizes and prestige? Will it be Yann Candele and Mustique standing first with 350 points? Or maybe Lauren Hunkin and her black horse Larry, only 52 points behind the Flying Frenchman? And don’t discount the father / daughter Hayes team who are prepared to put it all on the line and with Senior Hayes only a mere 4 points behind Hunkin and “The Black”, this Kubota Cup is definitely a horse race and not for the faint of heart. Stay tuned for reports as the horses begin to arrive at Exhibition Park for the Kubota Cup Canadian Eastern Championships and top Grand Prix action!