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Trhe Canadian Champçion, Fniday, JuIy 31, 1998 -17 *R Samuel wins eguestrian classic, Ballard second Hometown riders steal the show By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion It doesn't get any closer than this. Three- tenths of a second is ail that separated Hornby's Erynn Ballard from victory at Hendervale Equestrian Complex Sunday. 'Mse rising star was eclipsed by one of her iongtime rivais - Mark Samuel of Multons Sam-Son Farmns ithe grand prix event of tise second annuai Halton Valley Mid-Summer Ciassic. A light hesitation on the final fence by Ballard and mount Raphaella proved to be the deciding factor, and what led to Samue's first-ever grand prix tri- umph. Ltwas a tremendous feeling," said the 35-year-oid, who banked $2500 for his 39.1 second champi- onship effort. "Erynn came up with a tough time to beat, but (his horse) Indiana Jones jumped like a vet- eran. "Erynn's father Dave Ballard coached me many years ago and she and 1 are no strangers on the cir- 4e cuit. I'mi thriiied to sec how successfui she's become." He and Ballard beat out a number of professional level competitors, including highly accompiished Mac Conte and Hugh Graham, with their one-two fin- 4.. 7ish. They were among juat a handfui of riders who cleaniy negotiated the 14-jump ring in botis the pre- iiminary round and jump off. Thse seventeen-year-oid Ballard, who two montha ago won her first grand prix in Saratoga, New York, "durwas extremeiy pleased with her sisowing. ~ ~ ~ Said the Milton District High Sehool graduate, "You aiways go in with tise idea tisat you can win, but I was very happy with my second-place finish. "Raphaclia did a great job and didn't get nervous at tise waterjumps like some horses do." One thoroughbred that did just that was Unic, Samuei's first entry in the grand prix event. This ied to four different fauits in tise first round and an even- tuai sixti-place standing. "After that Erynn ran a crisp, dlean performance with Raphaeiia and 1 knew it was going to take some- tiing special to beat iser," said Samuel, one of tise moeacmissdamateur riders in soutisern Photos by GRAHAM PAINE Ontario. Hornby's Erynn Ballard and Raphuella clear one of ths jumps In last week- 'l juat nudged her out of first by a isair." end's Halton Valley Mld-Summer Clasalo at Hendervale. The pair took second Wiile Samuel won tise big-money event, Bailard' s In the grand prix avant. consistency made her tise most decorated rider at Erynn Ballard displays just a few Of the rib- bons she won during a stellar weekend at Hendervale Equestrian Complex. Hendervale's five-day competitioti. She rode Moment In Time, Rapisaella and Utopia to first, second and third place honours in Saturday's strategy pace and won thse junior amateur medium-low jumper class with Utopia Friday. In tise hunter class, she was crowned botis grand champion and reserve champion Thursday with Southero Cross and Savanha respectively. In total se showed in 38 différent events and pock- eted a few thousand dollars for her efforts. "I had an amazing week at Hendervale. I don't think I' ve ever had this kind of overail success at one com- petition," remarked Ballard, an il -year amateur wiso plans to tumn pro next year. "Overali this has been a great season for me. I've showed strongly at competitiofla in Paigrave, Ottawa, New York and Florida." Ballard and Samuel will be back to defend their top placings wisen Hendervale hasts tise Halton Valley Summer Classic Auguat 21 to 23. "There's going to be a lot of top ridera from ail over Norths America at that one. Repeating as champion wili be tougis," said Samuel. Prîm, tamm u o n ure. -0RO- I18 THIOMPSON ROAD UNIT #6 IM wO-7 7m . 03e7â72àM