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‘Coupe’ comes out on top in Thunderbird’s MCL Motorcars Grand Prix

Chelsea McNeill and Coupe Champagne wind around luxury vehicles for the win

July 12, 2010

Langley, BC --- Horsepower took two forms on Sunday as MCL Motorcars hosted the $20,000 Western Family Tournament Grand Prix. Amid a colourful course that featured a Jaguar, Bentley and Aston Martin, Langley’s Chelsea McNeill rode the aptly named Coupe Champagne to the win with the fastest clear rounds of the day.

Finishing fourth in the previous weeks’ $20,000 West Coast Grand Prix, McNeill and Coupe led the field of 21 horse / rider combinations with the first clear round of the class. Six more would follow, putting her up against Alberta’s Lynn Macyk and Thunderbird Show Stables’ Laura Jane Tidball.

Course Designer, Meghan Rawlins, incorporated a daunting triple combination in the first round that had competitors jumping towards the spectator tent, and several elements that tested riders’ ability to bring their mounts through a power fence before settling for a careful vertical. The jump off brought three new fences to challenge their bravery while demanding quick times.

Lindsay Uyesugi got the jump off underway with Oz 42, finishing her round with four faults and a time of 48.83. Chelsea McNeill and Coupe Champagne were quick with their turns and efficient over each obstacle to put in a clear round with an unbeatable time of 42.61. Ashley Papalia and Novalis clipped the final rail for four faults, followed by an eight fault round by Laura Jane Tidball and Yoshi. The final three riders, all hailing from Alberta, did their best to challenge McNeill, with both Lynn Macyk on Captain Forever and Jaclyn Duff on Pan Tau 55 posting clear rides.

McNeill and Coupe Champagne were named Reserve Champions in the 1.20m Open Jumpers at the 2009 BCHJA Year End Gala.

$20,000 Western Family Grand Prix sponsored by MCL Motorcars

Place Horse Name Rider Name Owner Time Faults

1. Coupe Champagne Chelsea McNeill Kathleen Thomas 42.61 clear

2. Captain Forever Lynn Macyk Lynn Macyk 44.28 clear

3. Pan Tau 55 Jaclyn Duff Jaclyn Duff 44.56 clear

4. Maja Katie Kraft Katie Kraft 43.27 4

5. Oz 42 Lindsay Uyesugi Lindsay Uyesugi 48.83 4

6. Novalis Ashley Papalia Jennifer & Armin Arnoldt 50.62 4

7. Yoshi Laura Jane Tidball Thunderbird Show Stables 48.46 8

8. Polar Ice Kayleigh Ross Kayleigh Ross - -

About Thunderbird Show Park: In their 37th season, Thunderbird is hosting seven major tournaments between May and September, welcoming thousands of competitors and spectators to their 85-acre equestrian show grounds in Langley, BC. Each tournament features both amateur and professional riders in hunter and jumper classes from Wednesday to Sunday. The Park offers public grandstand seating around the Fort Grand Prix Field. Visit www.thunderbirdshowpark.com for more information and the full season schedule.

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