Hugh Graham of Schomberg, ON, proved that age is just a number by winning the $50,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Saturday, July 14, at the Ottawa National Horse Show, held at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

At the age of 69, Graham was not the oldest competitor in the 26-horse starting field, however. That distinction went to 71-year-old Ian Millar of Perth, ON, who, along with Keean White, 35, of Rockwood, ON, joined Graham in a three-horse jump-off. In a sport where men and women compete on equal footing, the three men were the only ones to successfully navigate the tough track set by Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt, individual silver medalist at the 1976 Olympic Games in his hometown of Montreal.

White led off the tie-breaking jump-off with Leilani, an eight-year-old grey Oldenburg mare purchased last year from U.S. competitor Andy Kocher. The pair won Thursdayโ€™s $20,000 Open Welcome, presented by Wellings of Stittsville, and were primed for another victory. When a rail fell on course, White left the door wide open for the two experienced riders still to come.

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