Rio Olympian Amy Millar made it a home-country win for spectators at the Royal Agricultural Fair and Royal Horse Show this past weekend, and she did it with one arm behind her back, proverbially speaking. Or quite literally, she did much of it short a stirrup but still managed to make it look like a textbook ride.
Amy and Heros 86 came into the final night of the 3-round competition with some penalties from night one, but jumping fast and clear rounds on Saturday allowed her to clinch her first ever national championship title.
“There are very few things that I get as excited about as The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair,” said Amy after her win. “It has been such a big part of my life for so long that I have wanted this for probably the whole time I have been alive! It is so important to me and to Canada; the stands are filled with Canadians who love the sport, and it has always been so prestigious to win.”
At ten years young, Heros 86 is already an Olympic veteran, but still has a huge career ahead of him. The Belgian Warmblood is owned by a syndicate of Amy’s friends who have known her much of her life and rallied together to get her the ride on the talented gelding.
Amy Millar and Heros 86. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography
“It’s a group of people that I’ve known a long time and really love; they are all good friends of mine, and I can’t thank them enough for their support.”
International competition starts at The Royal Tuesday night, and the FEI World Cup will be Wednesday night. We expect to see other Canadian greats like Amy’s father Ian Millar, Tiffany Foster, Keean White, Ali Ramsay, and hailing from below the border, top-ranked Americans Kent Farrington and McLain Ward.
Go Amy, and Go Jumping!
The Royal: Website, Results, Livestream, Facebook
$125,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championship – Final Standings
Saturday, November 4
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Final Score
1. Amy Millar Perth, ON Heros 1.25
2. Francois Lamontagne St. Eustache, QC Chanel du Calvaire 3.73
3. Ali Ramsay Victoria, BC Hermelien VD Hooghoeve 4.24
4. Nicole Walker Aurora, ON Falco Van Spieveld 5.34
5. Isabelle Lapierre Levis, QC Cescha M 5.86
6. Laura Jane Tidball Langley, BC Concetto Son 9.06
7. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Bonzay
8. Tiffany Foster North Vancouver, BC Brighton
9. Ainsley Vince Burlington, ON Darling
10. Jordan MacPherson Toronto, ON Aanwinst
11. Vanessa Mannix Calgary, AB Chemas
12. Hugh Graham Schomberg, ON Knock Out 3E