Sarah Johnstone of Aurora, Ontario, claimed her first victory in an International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned event, winning the $32,000 CSI3* Open Welcome on Friday, July 29, at L’International Bromont show jumping tournament in Bromont, Quebec.
The 20-year-old faced off against several veterans of the sport when the 32-horse starting field was reduced to eight for the jump-off over the track set by course designer Jean-Paul Lepetit of France. First to challenge the shortened jump-off track, Olympic individual bronze medalist Norman Dello Joio of the United States had a rail down in a time of 38.50 seconds riding Notre Star de la Nutria.
Johnstone was the next rider into the Olympic stadium, which had hosted the equestrian events for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Riding Starlet, Johnstone left all the rails in place and crossed the timers in 39.99 seconds to move into the lead. A win was far from certain however, as there were still six riders still to come. Russian Olympian Liubov Kochetova and Canada’s own Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, both jumped clear, but failed to catch Johnstone’s time, eventually finishing second and third respectively. 1984 World Cup winner Mario Deslauriers of the United States had Johnstone’s time, but the final rail came down with Vicomte D, leaving him fifth overall. Ireland’s Andrew Bournes, Lauren Hunkin of Kemptville, ON, and Canadian Olympian Jonathan Asselin of Calgary, AB, also had rails down.
“I knew I had some fast riders coming behind me like Mario, who is a famous speed rider here,” said Johnstone of her jump-off strategy. “I was able to see Norman go first – he is an unbelievable rider, and he was fast but had the last rail down. I wanted to be fast, efficient and clear and hope it would hold and, luckily, it did!”
The win marked Johnstone’s first ever victory in FEI competition, and also gave her valuable points towards the Rolex Rider Rankings.
“I learn so much from watching them and competing against them, so to go in a class and be competitive is a good feeling, and very encouraging as a young rider,” said Johnstone of her victory. “It is good to finally have an FEI win under my belt. It was very exciting.”
Johnstone trains with the Hayes family, including two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes and his daughter, Lauren, at North Ridge in Orangeville, ON. Her mount, Starlet, is owned by North Ridge’s Jay and Shawn Hayes, who purchased and imported the mare as a six-year-old from legendary Dutch horseman Hans Horn.
“She jumped unbelievable, I couldn’t have asked for any more,” said Johnstone of the mare’s performance in Friday’s $32,000 CSI3* Open Welcome. “She did everything I asked, and was beautiful to ride.”
Johnstone has been riding the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Monaco for the past six seasons. Together, the pair has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments including representing Canada at the 2007 North American Young Riders’ Championships, where they placed seventh individually. Recent highlights include a third place finish in the 2010 Canadian Show Jumping Championships, and wins in $25,000 Open Welcome at the Caledon National and the $20,000 Modified Grand Prix at the Summer Classic, both held in Palgrave, ON, earlier this summer.
“As a group, we have been so patient with this sensitive mare and, after many good results in her career so far, she just seems to be getting bigger, stronger, faster and more consistent,” said Jay Hayes, who competed for Canada at the 1992 and 2000 Olympic Games. “Sarah is a beautiful rider with natural feel, and she will go far in our sport. We are looking forward to Sunday’s big grand prix here in Bromont, and then on to Ottawa for the two-week National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments.”
Johnstone works full-time for the Hayes family, and is grateful for the opportunities afforded to her as a result.
“They are like a second family,” notes Johnstone. “They have been wonderful in giving me horses to ride, and teaching me so much. I couldn’t even begin to thank them for everything that they have done.”
Johnstone and Starlet will contest the $125,000 CSI3* Grand Prix at L’International Bromont on Sunday, July 31.
$32,000 CSI3* Open Welcome, L’International Bromont
1. Sarah Johnstone, Aurora, ON, Starlet, 0:0, 39.99
2. Liubov Kochetova, Russia, Lapsus du Lavoir, 0:0, 40.70
3. Angela Covert-Lawrence, St. Lazare, QC, Utan, 0:0, 42.16
4. Norman Dello Joio, United States, Notre Star de la Nutria, 0:4, 38.50
5. Mario Deslauriers, United States, Vicomte D, 0:4, 39.29
6. Andrew Bournes, Ireland, Gowran Park, 0:4, 40.75
7. Lauren Hunkin, Kemptville, ON, Larry 0146, 0:8, 39.00
8. Jonathan Asselin, Calgary, AB, Showgirl, 0:8, 44.69
9. Yann Candele, Caledon, ON, Carlotta Singular, 4
10. Angela Covert-Lawrence, St. Lazare, QC, Unica van de Roshoeve, 4
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