Royal West International Championship Podium Medalists, Gold – Daniel Coyle (IRL), Silver – Conor Swail (IRL), Bronze – Jim Ifko (CAN) presented by John Anderson and Tamie Phillips. Photo Credit Amanda Ubell Photography
For Immediate Release
October 21, 2017
$35,000 Tractorland Cup 1.45m CSI2* – Royal West International Challenge Phase 3
Sponsored by: Tractorland – Airdrie, Calgary, High River
In a repeat of last night’s competition, late to go in the jump-off of the $35,000 Tractorland Cup, Jim Ifko and his striking stallion Un Diamant des Forets took the lead with a fast, clean, and applause driven jump-off. For the second night in a row, he walked out of the ring to watch Conor Swail and Flower stop the clock a hair earlier.
In a more technical course for the Saturday night crowd with brand new jumps and an imposing cut-out wall across the middle, the third night of 1.45 competition saw some fatigue and the 12 jump – 14 effort course. Six combinations advanced to the jump-off – Lauren Crooks on two mounts, Ifko, Swail, Vanessa Mannix, and Thurday’s winner Daniel Coyle.
“The course was relatively tough – I thought it was a nice course again, but for some reason it proved a little bit more difficult,” said Swail. “In the jump-off, Jim put it up to me tonight again and I honestly thought I was a little bit luckier. She’s such a good horse – she was a wee bit tired after three days in a row and we kept her as happy and focused as we could.”
“I was thrilled with my horse. All week long my horse kept improving and improving. I thought he jumped the best tonight of all three classes. Coming into the jump-off with Conor behind me, I knew what I was in for, but rode as fast as I could. I left a little bit of a gap in a few turns and competing with Conor is always tough,” said Ifko.
The Mannix family had a big night all around – Vanessa Mannix is a co-owner of Swail’s mare Flower, she represented Canada in international show jumping competition and her brother in international polo competition. On a young horse, 28-year-old Vanessa Mannix took 3rd in the $35,000 Tractorland Cup with her 8-year-old bay mare Cantika (Catoki x Luxano).
“I’m really lucky to have my mare here – I’ve been riding her for about a year and early in her career jumping FEI ranking classes. I couldn’t be happier – she is so game and so careful. It was a great experience and it’s an honor to be in this company and showing in my hometown,” said Mannix.
From a Calgary polo family, Mannix received the news this evening that her brother Frederick Mannix, Jr., team captain of Alegeria Polo Team, had a historic equestrian night as well in Argentina against the best polo players in the world.
Frederick Mannix Jr.’s Alegria team of 37 goals upset 40 goal La Dolfina in the Hurlingham Tournament, the second most important high-goal tournament of the Argentine Polo season, extinguishing the hope of La Dolfina Captain Cambiasso of winning the Triple Crown [of three highest goal polo tournaments in the world] for the season.
The third leg of 1.45m competition this week at Royal West was presented by MG3 Holdings and top international rider Tamie Phillips. Phillips is a veteran competitor of Royal West competition and her 2017 season was highlighted by a 2nd place finish in the AIG Thermal Million Dollar Grand Prix at HITS Coachella (California).
“Tamie and her mother are huge supporters of this sport and they know what is needed to keep this sport growing,” said Rocky Mountain Show Jumping President John Anderson.
Royal West Day 3 Competition
In the $25,000 Canadian Hunter Derby 3’3”/3’6” Sponsored by Salentein Wines, 26 professionals, amateurs, and juniors vied for the top call. Rodney Tulloch and Google took the top call with a round that harkened back to hunters of another era. His stylish gallop was maintained and rhythm perfectly even through every handy turn and related distance. At only 7 years old Google is proving himself as a trusty three ring mount for owner Stephany Powers and Open Hunter and Derby contender for Tulloch.
Tulloch praised the opportunity Royal West gives the riders from his Landmark Training. “It’s so exciting to be showing right downtown and get to bring everyone – children and adult clients, new horses, and let everyone experience the best of indoors,” he said.
After winning Friday night’s $10,000 class and placing 3rd, 4th, and 12th tonight with Class Act, Easystreet, and Candyland respectively, Brent Balisky won the Hunter Derby Series Award for 2017. Balisky plans to bring his hunters next to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto to contest in Canadian Hunter Derby Finals.
In the 1.10 Royal West Canadian Championship, 12-year-old Eric Kyle Krawitt and Wellington won with a clean sweep – winning all four jumping rounds individually, as well as the overall competition. Krawitt said, “It was a very fun and challenging four rounds of competitor over three days at the Royal West, I am honored to be able to compete here at such a nice facility. My horse Wellington jumped amazing and I couldn’t be more thrilled to win all four phases in this company.”
In the 1.20m Royal West Canadian Championship, again a young rider prevailed over the professionals, juniors, and amateurs. Anya Bereznicki, 13 years old, and her Diazella were 5th in the Speed Class on Day 1, won Day 2, and earned 3rd in today’s competition. Their jump-off for the Challenge Cup sealed the win. Bereznicki said, “ Coming up from third overall, I knew I had to be clean and fast in the jump off. I was determined to make it a smooth round as well. My horse and I have a special connection and in pressured situations and Diazella wanted to win today.”
In the 1.30m Royal West Canadian Championship, Carla Diewert and Cogito won after close results throughout and an exciting jump-off. Diwert and Cogito earned acclaim at 2016’s Royal West for tying for 1st in the $10,000 Costume 4-bar class, clearing an impressive 1.85m!
$35,000 Tractorland Cup 1.45m CSI2* – Royal West International Challenge Phase 3
Presented by MG3 Holdings & Tamie Phillips
Rider / Horse / Country / Faults Round 1 / Faults Round 2 / Time Round 2
Conor Swail / Flower / IRE / 0 / 0 / 34.97
Jim Ifko / Un Diamant des Forets / CAN / 0 / 0 / 36.29
Vanessa Manix / Cantika/ CAN / 0 / 0 / 38.99 s
Lauren Crooks / Columbcille de Reve / USA / 0 / 4 / 36.01 s
Lauren Crooks / Valentino d’Elte / USA / 0 / 4 / 37.28 s
Daniel Coyle / Cita / USA / 0 / 14 / 50.12 s
Royal West International Challenge Medalists
Gold – Daniel Coyle (IRE)
Silver – Conor Swail (IRE)
Bronze – Jim Ifko (CAN)
$25,000 Canadian Hunter Derby 3’3”/3’6” Overall
Rider / Horse / Prize
Rodney Tulloch / Google / $7,500
Erynn Ballard / Enchanted / $5,500
Brent Balisky / Class Act / $3,250
Brent Balisky / Easy Street / $2,000
Bill Ulmer / Beach Drive / $1,500
Kendra Best / Cousteau / $1,250
Tracey Epp / Solo Dinero / $1,000
Kristin Russell / Helios / $750
Carly Stevens / Corona OS / $750
Emma Woo / Notable / $500
Brittany Turner / Cinquecento Z / $500
Brent Balisky / Candyland / $500
