Former Canadian Olympic Equestrian team member Beth Underhill found success at Angelstone over the long weekend.
Thirty six contestants competed in the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) sanctioned $40,000 international GroupBy Grand Prix on Sept. 3 at Angelstone Tournaments south of Erin.
The course, designed by Manual Esparza of Mexico, provided a challenge for the riders and their horses with only six making a clean round within the allotted 76 seconds.
The jump-off course was built for speed, with Underhill, riding Count Me In to first place in 34.383 seconds.
Ireland’s Conor Swail, last year’s international grand prix champion, took second place with Lansdowne and fourth with Dillinger.
Angelstone president and CEO Keean White placed third with Corette and sixth with Hera Van De Kouterhoeve. Vanessa Mannix placed fifth with Rubens LS La Silla.
“I’m very excited,” said Underhill after the event.
Originally from Georgetown, she celebrated her birthday the Monday following the competition.
“This is like the best birthday present ever,” she said.
Count Me In, owned by Sandy Lupton of Springbrook Farms, is a young Bay Gelding Hannoverian and has placed well over the last two years.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled; he did everything I asked for,” said Underhill.
A veteran of the Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian games, this was Underhill’s first win at Angelstone.
Also competing in the grand prix, was “Captain Canada” Ian Millar, who rode both Dixson and Baranus but fell victim to the difficult course and didn’t make the jump-off with either horse.
White said this season has been successful for Angelstone Tournaments.
“The crowds have been unbelievable,” he said after the event.
The international event drew over 4,000 people.
“This was a big step forward and the stadium has been absolutely packed the last two weeks and as a rider, there’s nothing more exciting than riding in front of a packed house,” said White.
