Beth Underhill Claims $50,000 Miele World Cup Grand Prix at the 20th Collingwood Horse Show

Collingwood, Ontario --- Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, claimed victory in the $50,000 Miele World Cup Grand Prix on Sunday, August 13, in Collingwood, ON.

To cap off the CSI-W Collingwood Festival held from August 9-13 as part of the Collingwood Horse Show, a total of 22 competitors lined up to tackle the challenging track set on Fisher Field by Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios. To the delight of the huge crowd, a total of seven succeeded to advance to the jump-off.

As the sixth rider to return, Underhill set out to overtake the lead from Margie Gayford who had enjoyed a double clear round with Stuntman in a time of 37.22 seconds. Underhill was able to negotiate the twisting and turning jump-off route and stop the clock at 35.86 seconds to move into top spot. When the final challenger, Erynn Ballard of Hillsburgh, ON, had a rail down with Robin van Roosendael, the victory belonged to Underhill and Magdaline, just as it had two years ago.

"Initially, it looked like there were going to be quite a few clean," commented Underhill, referring to the fact that four out of the first five horses on course came home fault-free. "The course itself was fair, there was a 1.60m plank that was hard to jump, and also a line in the middle of the course that proved difficult. The jump-off was fast, and it was difficult, but 'Maggie' was competitive all week, and was really on her game."

Underhill and Magdaline, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Darryl B. Williams and Associates Inc., were in fine form all week at the Collingwood Horse Show, having also won Friday's $10,000 Carmarthen Lake Farms Open Welcome.

The $50,000 Miele World Cup Grand Prix acts as a qualifying event for the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA, which sees the top two Canadian riders invited to compete. With her second place finish riding Wingberry Farm's 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding, Stuntman, Gayford maintained her lead in the Canadian League World Cup standings.

Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride, hot off a win one week earlier in the World Cup Grand Prix held in Palgrave, ON, settled for third in Collingwood after turning in a double clear performance.

John Pearce of Stouffville, ON, had the fastest time of the day riding Archie Bunker, but a rail down at the third fence on the jump-off course cost him the victory. Ballard also had a rail to settle for fifth while Yannick Patron, riding for France, knocked down the first fence and was the slowest of the four-faulters for sixth. Quebec native Laurie Bucci rounded out the jump-off field with a seventh-place finish riding Quidam's Ramiro.

Organized by Jay and Shawn Hayes and their daughters, Lauren, Ainsley and Regan, the Collingwood Horse Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Competition continues with the 'Kubota' Collingwood Classic from August 16-20, 2006. Featured events include Friday's $10,000 Carmarthen Lake Farms Open Welcome and Saturday's $10,000 Nobleton Feed Mill Modified Grand Prix. The week culminates with the $60,000 'Kubota Cup Series' Grand Prix on Sunday, which is part of the Kubota Cup Jumping Series.

Admission is free on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while $5 per vehicle will be charged on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sunday, admission will be $10 per vehicle with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Grace Therapeutic Riding. For more information, please visit www.collingwoodhorseshow.com.
$50,000

Miele World Cup Grand Prix - Collingwood, ON

Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Magdaline 0:0 35.86
2. Margie Gayford Stouffville, ON Stuntman 0:0 37.22
3. Karen Cudmore Victoria, BC Southern Pride 0:0 38.34
4. John Pearce Stouffville, ON Archie Bunker 0:4 34.51
5. Erynn Ballard Hillsburgh, ON Robin van Roosendael 0:4 36.28
6. Yannick Patron France Clayton 0:4 37.73
7. Laurie Bucci St. Hilaire, QC Quidam's Ramiro 0:8 36.14