Rachel Cornacchia (Foss) and Valkyrie De Talma winners of the $35,500 Tractorland Cup CSI2*. Photo Credit Amanda Ubell Photography.
Rachel Cornacchia and Valkyrie De Talma were victorious in the $35,500 Tractorland Cup CSI2* at Royal West 2018 with a quick ride in the jump off of 32.17 seconds. “[Valkyrie De Talma] is incredible, so brave and I can put complete trust in her,” explained Cornacchia, “Being on top of the podium feels great – unexpected but great.” Second place was awarded to Jim Ifko and Un Diamant Des Forets with 33.31 seconds. Yann Candele jumped a tidy round with a time of 34.53 on Granite S ending up third to complete a very exciting first week to Royal West 2018.
A field of 32 entries challenged, the highly respected, Werner Deeg’s tough course. Only nine combinations jumped the 14-jump course clear to make it to the jump off. “Deeg did a great job tonight – I think he is quite a genius! When I walked the course I thought everything rode straightforward and I found it didn’t ride at all like I thought it was going to. Good for him to be able to set a track like that, ” said Ifko.
Archie Hall of Tractorland with John Anderson presenting the Royal West International Champions, Rachel Cornacchia (Foss) (Silver), Yann Candele (Gold) and Keean White (Bronze). Photo Credit Amanda Ubell Photography.
$25,000 Canadian Hunter Derby (3’3” and 3’6”) Round 2 + Overall
Brent Balisky riding Class Act claimed both the $25,000 Canadian Hunter Derby Sponsored by Salentein Wines win tonight as well as the Canadian Hunter Derby Western Finals title. “[Class Act] was good here last year, he has a lot of knowledge – very handy,” said Balisky, “It was a difficult course, in the sense of being a hunter course and being handy. My strategy was to keep some composure and maintain a hunter round first and then a handy round.”
“The facility here is to be commended. It is very horse friendly and horses like it here – they even jump better in my opinion,” Balisky responded when asked about Royal West.
Austin Krawitt and Scirocco 91 scored a 104 leading the class as the top junior and were awarded second place. Madison Williams jumped a beautiful round with a score of 102 on Cortina.
The Derby Whisperer makes his Calgary Debut at Royal West
Kristjan Good, the Derby Whisperer from Ontario, made his way to Calgary for his first Royal West. “I love it, I like everything about it,” said Kristjan when he was asked about his time at Royal West, “[The Royal West Team] is very accommodating, no matter what I or my horses may need – they’re always there.” Good brought three horses to Royal West – Diamo Blue, Salvo RSF and Stakko Grande W – to compete in the Canadian Hunter Derbies.
Diamo Blue, an Oldenburg stallion, and Good won the $10,000 Canadian Hunter Derby on Friday. The pair started off the 3’6” section of the derby and scored 105, holding onto the lead for the entire class. “My derby horses brought me to Royal West as a practice for The Royal,” explained Good who qualified five different horses for Canadian Hunter Derby National Finals in Toronto, “The ring and courses are both nice, all of my horses have been good – which helps.”
Combined Hunter Championship
Champion – Salvo RSF & Kristjan Good
Reserve Champion – Class Act & Brent Balisky
Canadian Hunter Derby Western Finals Champion, Brent Balisky aboard Class Act with Augustin Walch, John Anderson, Wendy Valdes, Fran McAvity and Ben Pon of Salentein Wines
$35,500 Tractorland Cup 1.45m CSI2*
Rider / Horse / Country
- Rachel Cornacchia (Foss) / Valkyrie De Talma / CAN
- Jim Ifko / Un Diamant Des Forets / CAN
- Yann Candele / Granit S / CAN
- Elizabeth Gingras / Daylight VDL / CAN
- Eric Hasbrouck / Captain / USA
- Marion Ostmeyer / Coffee To Go / GER
- Keean White / Leilani / CAN
- Kristen Senger / Clarion SN / CAN
Royal West Championship Results
Presented by Jump Alberta
Royal West Championship 1.10m
Gold – Torino & Serenity Enders
Silver – My Lady Blue & Lindsay Beadle
Bronze – Diva Angelique & Ashleigh Charity
Royal West Championship 1.20m
Gold – Bella & Yann Candele
Silver – Ashtin’s Fabulas & John Anderson
Bronze – Hirado Blue & Molly Talla
Royal West Championship 1.30m
Gold – Etalon & Kyle King
Silver – Dento & Carly Stevens
Bronze – Crackerjack & Kassidy Keith
