Jay Duke’s Return to Canada Begins with Medals for Students
Equestrian News Release

Parker, CO—Jay Duke made his return to Canada a successful one at the Spruce Meadows summer tournaments. His students brought home armfuls of ribbons and medals during their stay. Duke and Nicole Crighton’s young grand prix horse Rodrigo B were also successful in the 1.45-meter classes. Jay, a Canadian Equestrian Team Member, moved back to Canada in June after more than six years in the United States in order to capitalize on the many international events at Spruce Meadows.

“It was a great feeling to be back in the International Ring,” Jay said of his rides aboard Rodrigo B. The youngster has competed in a few grand prix in the states, and he found the big ring at Spruce Meadows to his liking. “We’re really happy with him.”

Nicole Crighton, of Englewood, Colorado also showed King David and Loronja. With King David she qualified for the 1.3 Meter Final Four for juniors and amateurs during the Skyliner Tournament. This event is like a mini-World Championships in which the top four riders compete over a shortened course with their own horse as well as the horses of the three other competitors. They are allowed two minutes and two jumps before they have to go in the show ring. Crighton finished with the bronze medal.

“It was such a fantastic experience,” Crighton said. “To have the opportunity to ride horses from all over the world was just fantastic. It was great to find out that we stacked up really well against a whole different type of competitor in a different level of competition.” Crighton praised Duke for the preparation that allowed her to successfully navigate the course on three unfamiliar horses. “Jay did a really good job evaluating the other horses and developing a plan for riding them well. The best of evidence of this was the last horse I rode in the Final. The rider before me had a stop and a fall. The horse came out of the ring and I had to get right on him. Jay told me exactly what to do at each jump and it worked!”

Although Crighton was pleased with her bronze medal, the highlight of the Spruce Meadows tour was the third place she earned in the Double Slalom. She recalled, “It was the most fun I have ever had in my life. To ride in the International Ring and see myself on the Jumbotron was spectacular!”

Crighton wasn’t Duke’s only successful amateur at Spruce Meadows. Shawn Tebben of Castle Rock, Colorado, earned a silver medal in the 1.10 meter Canadian Utilities Final Four. She rode her own Sail Solo, who was named Best Horse, as well as the three other horses with a total of only four faults. “For me the most difficult thing about the Final Four was not thinking about what the owner thought about my riding,” Tebben said. “It did get easier after riding the first new horse.”

Tebben has only been competing in the jumper division for two and a half years and this was her first trip to Spruce Meadows. “The camaraderie and support from the other riders was amazing,” she said. “The competition was diverse; each day was different and it was really fun to meet so many new people.”

Both Crighton and Tebben elected to keep their horses with Duke even though Calgary is a bit far from both of their homes. “I know I can always count on Jay to have my horse and I prepared for the horse show,” Tebben explained. Jay Duke and his Falcon Grey International Show Jumping Stable are now based in Calgary with plans to attend the Thunderbird shows in Vancouver in August and Spruce Meadows Masters in September.

About Jay Duke
Jay Duke has represented his native Canada on several Nation’s Cups teams, including the Royal Winter Fair, Washington International Horse Show and the National Horse Show. He is the winner of more than a dozen grand prix. Jay comes from a long line of successful Canadian equestrians. His father has been inducted into the cutting horse Hall of Fame and his mother is a well-known riding instructor whose students have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympics.