In addition to winning Sunday’s grand finale, Walker also claimed her first Caledon Cup, presented by RAM Equestrian. Held over three phases of competition on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, the Caledon Cup is presented to the rider who gains the most points in all three phases. With a third place finish in Thursday’s $10,000 Caledon Cup – Phase One as well as fourth in Friday evening’s $36,000 Caledon Cup – Phase Two, Walker was the clear winner of the 2016 Caledon Cup riding Deko de Landetta Z, her 12-year-old Westphalian stallion (Diamant de Semilly x Caletto I).
A total of 33 riders attempted the track set for Sunday’s $86,000 Caledon Cup – Phase Three. Walker had the enviable position of being last to go, turning in the ninth clear round over the track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela and setting the stage for a thrilling jump-off. In an unusual twist, the lead was jointly held by Keean White of Rockwood, ON, riding Corette and Friday night’s winner, Ali Ramsay of Victoria, BC, with Hermelien vd Hooghoeve, who had both crossed the finish line in the exact same time of 42.36 seconds when Walker entered the ring as the final jump-off challenger.
Walker ensured that there would not be a tie for the win, leaving all the rails in place and galloping Deko de Landetta Z through the timers in 41.91 seconds to claim victory. In addition to her share of the prize money, Walker also received a $1,000 bonus from class sponsor HEP for wearing its branded saddle pad in all three phases of competition.
$86,000 CSI2* Caledon Cup - Phase 3
Sunday, September 25
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Nicole Walker Aurora, ON Deko de Landetta Z 0:0 41.91
2. (tie) Ali Ramsay Victoria, BC Hermelien vd Hooghoeve 0:0 42.36
2. (tie) Keean White Rockwood, ON Corette 0:0 42.36
4. Daniel Coyle Ireland Ridley 0:0 42.52
5. Vanessa Mannix Calgary, AB Quite Cassini 0:0 43.26
6. Keean White Rockwood, ON For Freedom Z 0:0 43.71
7. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Daveau 0:4 46.32
8. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Bonzay 0:4 47.46
9. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Count Me In 0:8 59.24
10. Susan Horn Bolton, ON Balintore 1
11. Ian Millar Perth, ON Dixson 1
12. Susan Horn Bolton, ON Lillyfee 1
