Equi-Challenge riders change hats for good time and to raise funds

The King Township Sentinel-

Seasoned international rider and coach Peter Gray of Orangeville is equally at home on the back of a galloping event horse or an elegantly moving dressage horse.

But last Thursday (Aug. 26), he found himself in unfamiliar territory as he attempted to whack a ball from atop a spirited polo pony and careened around barrels on a blistering quarter horse at the second annual Equi-Challenge. The soldout event, held at Halton Place, was in the name of good fun and a good cause.

Other local equestrian stars were on hand for the fun, including Olympic medalist Mac Cone, Roberto Teran, who rides out of Kingridge Stables of King City, and dressage rider Julie Watchorn of King.

These equestrian leaders and legends “changed hats” to thrill the crowd at a fundraiser to benefit the Ontario Veterinary College’s new Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre, at the University of Guelph

Among the other participants in the unique team competition were show jumpers Erynn Ballard of Orangeville and Yann Candele of Caledon; jockeys Sandy Hawley, Jim McAleny and Chantal Sutherland; dressage rider David Marcus; standardbred driver Jody Jamieson; barrel racers Stephanie Leyzac and Jodi Hendry; roper Jason Thompson; polo player Dave Offen of Aurora and other world-class riders from across the sport.

Judging from the laughter and wide grins, it was difficult to tell who enjoyed themselves more: the participants or the 500-plus ticketed guests cheering from the ringside, fully catered VIP tent.

“It was really exciting,” Ballard enthused. “I’d never played polo and I never have barrel raced, and though I’ve taken dressage lessons, I’d never been in a situation to have to ride a test before. I enjoyed all of it. The whole event, the crowd and the people who supported it were terrific, it was for a great cause and I think it looks really good for our industry. All the show jumpers – Mac (Cone), Roberto (Teran), Yann (Candele) and I were ready to make career changes!”

Even a fall during show jumping couldn’t keep racing legend Hawley down. He gamely got back on the horse, completed the course and returned to compete in dressage on a western reining horse. Despite joking that he’d “need a couple of Advil when I get home,” he said he plans on returning next year.

A new twist this year was the participation of a group of “mystery riders” who challenged the winners of each class. Grand prix show jumpers Hugh Graham from Schomberg (a former rodeo competitor), Frankie Chesler Ortiz (a former barrel racing champ) and Halton Place owner Timur Leckebusch challenged the top barrel racers, while show jumping legends and Mexico Olympic team gold medalists Jim Day, Jim Elder and Torchy Millar, joined by Kelly Hall-Holland pitted their skills against the night’s leading show jumping rookies.

Before the opening ceremonies, it was announced that the University of Guelph has received $2 million from the E.P. Taylor Equine Research Fund, to support clinical research in the health and performance of racehorses at the new Ontario Veterinary College Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre.

The night’s winning Equi- Challenge team was Team Novartis, which included Mac Cone, Chantal Sutherland, Julie Watchorn, Dave Offen and Jason Thompson.

http://www.kingsentinel.com/news/2010-09-08/Sports_Beat/EquiChallenge_riders_change_hats_for_good_time_and.html