On the Canadian Scene
by Jennifer Ward, Special Report provided by PhelpsSports.com
Blainville, Quebec – July 12, 2006 - One Grand Prix rider stood out at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International held July 5-9 in Blainville, Quebec. With big wins both Friday and Saturday, as well as two horses in the jump-off for the $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier, John Pearce proved to be at the top of his game.
John arrived in Blainville hot off a winter spent in California. During his five months on the west coast, John racked up a total of six major Grand Prix wins, including the $100,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar. His victories are owed to a strong string of three Grand Prix horses - Archie Bunker, Urioso, and Champagne. Each one did their part, claiming at least one victory.
At the Blainville Jumping International, all three horses once again proved to be in top form. In Friday's featured event, the $20,000 Open Welcome, John advanced to the jump-off with all three mounts, emerging the winner with Archie Bunker.
Following the victory, John said he would ride Champagne in Saturday's $25,000 Challenge Desjardins as he felt that was the class the horse was best suited to, and concentrate on riding Urioso and Archie Bunker in the $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier.
His plan would prove to be right on the money. In the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins, John and Champagne topped an eight-horse jump-off by posting double clear rounds over the course set by Conrad Homfeld, who is currently one of five course designers being considered for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Champagne is the horse that Pearce has had the longest. A 13-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding, Champagne first made his mark at the Grand Prix level in 2001. The pair won the 'Big Ben Memorial' Grand Prix in Ottawa in 2003 and, this week at the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament, have returned in an attempt to once again stand in the winner's circle.
"Champagne is getting a little older now, and I have to be careful about picking the classes best suited for him," said John who won the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix during the opening week of the HITS Indio Desert Circuit riding Champagne.
Meanwhile, John qualified both Urioso and Archie Bunker for the jump-off in the $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier. With Archie Bunker, John had the fastest time in the jump-off, but a rail down at the final fence kept him out of the winner's circle for a third consecutive day.
In California, Urioso won the $75,000 World Cup Grand Prix during HITS Indio Desert Circuit II as well as the $35,000 Grand Prix during Oaks Blenheim Spring Classic III.
Archie Bunker meanwhile, a horse that made a splash when he first arrived in Canada by winning the National Six-Year-Old Championships at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, has become a true fan favourite, not only for his name but also for his winning ways. The eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Contender racked up three major victories this winter - the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix during HITS Indio Circuit IV, the $50,000 Orange County Grand Prix at Oaks Blenheim Spring I, and the $100,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar.
Both horses are still developing, and John is excited about each of them.
"Archie Bunker is a favourite amongst my colleagues and with the crowd, but Urioso has a lot of talent," says the Sydney Olympian. "Urioso is different. He's though to ride, and he's a little unorthodox, but he has a lot of heart."
John bought Urioso, a nine-year-old dark brown Belgian Warmblood gelding by Darco, as an unbroken six-year-old, so the horse is still gaining experience at the Grand Prix level.
As for Archie Bunker, John explains, "He is a Cadillac. He's a lovely horse to ride, he jumps easily, he's smart, and he has a lot of heart. He's going to do great things, and I want to enjoy some longevity in his career."
With three Grand Prix horses all in winning form, John Pearce is a safe bet in any Grand Prix he enters.
This special report is a preview provided by PhelpsSports.com. Look for the debut of this new equestrian news website during the World Equestrian Games in August. Visit http://www.PhelpsSports.com for more information.
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