Following an exciting Phase 1, the $5,000 1.30m Table C Competition of the 1.30m U30 North American Championship, it was James Chawke who chalked up the victory aboard the 9 year old Eldorado. Topping a field of 18 competitors contesting the Championship that offers $20,000 in prize money, and $27,500 in Athlete Development Bursaries, James ended up the fastest completing the course in a time of 69.82 seconds. With less than one rail separating the top seven competitors it looks to be anyone’s Championship with two more phases and a Jump Off to crown the ultimate winner. “I was really happy with Eldorado today” said James when asked about his victory. “There is a lot of jumping left though with three phases left, so it is really anyone’s game” added James when asked how he felt about his chances following the first phase. “This Championship was something that my father and I dreamed up a few years prior to his passing in 2015” said John Anderson when asked about the introduction of the North American 1.30m Under 30 Championship. “My father was quite a philanthropic person in his lifetime, and it was his wish when he passed for me to create something to help young athletes’ with their Show jumping Careers” added John. It was so wonderful that the Alberta Equestrian Federation along with the rest of the provincial federations in the country could help make this program that we are sure will catch on in the coming years” stated John when talking about the program.
