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Local riders set for Olympie Trial By STEVE LOBLANC The Champion Milton's Ainsley Vince has fared much better on foreign sou than home turf this year. That's a trend the local show jumper hopes to break somor- row afternoon - during her big homecoming for the fourth Olympic Trial quahfying event at the nearby Hendervale Equestrian Complex. But for a truly credible per- formance, she assd truaty mount Catch 22 - a lO-year-old Dutch Warmblood who has helped her reach the elite clans of equestrian competition - may need another srend to end firat. Ram could be probleni That oU the regularly rainy weekends that have plagued the area this summer. "Competing on grass when its been raîrnng aeems to be our weakness. We'll just have so keep our fingers crossed and pray for good weather," said Vince Wednesday aftemoon. The 23-year-old equestrian has cracked the top 10 as two of she previous three Olympic Trial events - taking fsfth at Bromont, Quebec and eight as Blainville, Quebec. And with some sensational efforts at Hendervale last sum- mer - including an overaîl victory in tht $25,000 Opening Clasa - she'a certainly gos momentum working for her. But as Vince is quick to point out sime and rime again, there's just too many variables to eves he certain of succeas. "One day you can do well but your home docsn'5 and tht next it's the exact opposite,' she said. "You juat neyer kno~ until you get out sheoe." Hendervales own Heather Manbers-Serniuk will he tht other local favourite competing in tomorrow's 1:30 p.m. Olympic Trial. Tht 34-year-old will do so aboard nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood Juat Julia. The pair have alsernased hetween grand prix and smaller scale evenla over the paat two seasons but are now compesing exclusively as Use higher level. Faring quite well And for the moat part hold- ing their own. They bested ail challengers in the L'International Bromont's Welcoming Clasa - delivered two ssraight clear rounds en route so victory - and placed a respecsable eighsh as the Olympic Trial in Blainville. But as much as she swo have progressed nicely in recens monshs, Manbert-Serniuk knows shere will be a lot of pressure on shem as she home- town favourites somorrow aftemoon. And we haven't really done well in tht big ring here," she added. Manhert-Semiuk admits her prized parsner tends 10 ges a lit- tIc aggressive during main event situations - and can only hope she knows when so channel that and when to hold back come show time tomor- row. "Hopefully we'll do well, and maybe crack she sop 10," Manhert-Semiuk said. Tht local pair are ses to face ail tht sop ridera in Canada including Ian Millar, Jay I Hayes, Eric Lamaze and Beth Underhill in the $50,000 Olympic Trial - which high- lighss shia week's Halton Valley Mid-Summer Classic. Pheto 5y GRAHAM PAINE Heather Manbert-SerfllUk (loti) and Ainaley Vince will b. the hometown favourites for tomorrow aftemoon'S Olymplc Trial et nearby Hondervalo Equestrian Complex. The $50.000 avent gala going around 1:30 p.m. Mountain biking returns to Kelso Downhillers will be thrilled with tht fast Kelso Conservation Ares is back on track after a one-year absence from tht provincial mountain biking acene. Tht summer recreational hotbed is set to hoas Kelso O-Cup 2000 next weekend - wish both downhill and cross-country acsion so suit ridera of aIl ages and akill levels. Early regissration closes thia Monday, July 24 at 6 p.m. bus those interested in participating can sign up until nexs Friday. Downhill races will be held on she Saturday (July 29) while tht following day cross-country competision is ses to take over. This year's event - sponsored by Miltons Spokes 'N' Slopes - includes aIl new courses for hoth types of racing, designed by Wizard of Wheels Ltd's Mike Badyk. and gnarly drop off west of the Digger Downhill while tht cross country races will feature lots of new wild single track and a unique stars/finish as tht top of Kelso's Summit Entrance. Entry forma can be picked up as cither Spokea 'N Slopes or Conservation Halton - or hy visiting CH's web site as www.WOWMTB.com. &Skate MORE THAN JUST A SPORTS SHOP WE CAN PROVIDE YGUR COMPAUY WITH CUSTGM EMBROIDERED OR SCREENED r~C~ir~ eHATS *PENS -~ JACKETS * MOUS! PAnS - TRACK SWTS * MAGNETS *&MucN,.ucuMUE 18 Thompson Rd. 878*7422 Unit #6,_Milton ___________________ I t **'