|
Millar and ‘Dixson’ Prove Unbeatable in the $50,000 FEI Grand Prix at Angelstone
MAY 27, 2013 – ROCKWOOD, ON – The stage was set this past Saturday at the Angelstone Equestrian Park for a classic showdown between two of the biggest names in equestrian show jumping, Conor Swail, and ten-time Olympian, Ian Millar.
The pair of riders had started off their week at Angelstone with a one-two placing in Thursday’s $33,000 FEI Open Welcome and Saturday brought them back into the ring for the $50,000 FEI Grand Prix, presented by System Stall Rentals.
Millar, coming off Thursday’s win with Susan and Ariel Grange’s horse ‘Dixson’, was eager to get back into the ring in front of the fans who came out to see ‘Captain Canada’ face-off against many of the biggest names in the sport.
Internationally renowned course designer, Anthony D’Ambrosio set a course worthy of FEI competition that proved to be a true test of horse and rider, resulting in only a single clear round prior to Millar entering the ring as the final competitor of the night.
‘Dixson’ jumped bravely and brought the crowd to its feet with a clutch performance to force a jump-off against Irish rider, Conor Swail and ‘Landsdowne’, also owned by the Granges. The horses thrilled the crowd, but Millar’s clear jump-off round and blazing time of 41.10 could not be caught by Swail.
Millar was presented his share of the $50,000 Grand Prix, by Angelstone President, Keean White. Millar addressed the crowd from centre-ring and added some remarks about a very difficult course, as well as competing at the newest International Equestrian Park in Eastern North America: “The course by Anthony D’Ambrosio was a difficult test today and was a worthy challenge, the team at Angelstone have done a superb job here at this marvelous facility to grow the sport in Canada and I would like to congratulate them on a great start to their 2013 Season.”
Millar will now head to Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta with faith that ‘Dixson’ is competing at the peak of the sport, and ready to go after additional wins in the weeks ahead.
Angelstone’s six week season continues on Wednesday with Phase II of the Park’s schedule, which will feature the $33,000 FEI Open Welcome on Thursday, followed by the $50,000 FEI Grand Prix.
Located less than an hour’s drive from the Greater Toronto Area, the Angelstone Equestrian Park is open to the general public and admission is free. On Saturday, children under the age of 18 are invited to participate in Angelstone’s Commitment to Educate Program, where they may choose three horses, in the hope of qualifying to be selected to be paired with a horse during September’s Angelstone International, where a lucky winner will be presented with a $7,500 Scholarship Grant.
For more information on the Angelstone Equestrian Park, visit www.angelstone.ca |
