Giavanna Rinaldi Rides to Victory in Kubota Grand Prix at Major League Show Jumping Ottawa

The American anthem rang out as Giavanna Rinaldi celebrated victory in the $31,100 USD CSI2* Kubota Grand Prix on Saturday, August 24, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

The Major League Show Jumping Ottawa tournament has attracted some of the top-ranked athletes in the world to Canada’s national capital for a weekend of equestrian sport.  With 55 horse-rider combinations contesting the Kubota Grand Prix, the international flavour was apparent when five different nations were represented in the eight-horse jump-off.

In the end, none were faster than 25-year-old Rinaldi and her new partner, Snapchat vd Broekkant Z.  With a jump-off time of 39.72 seconds, the pair claimed victory over Colombia’s Roberto Teran Tafur riding Iron Maiden, who stopped the timers in 40.57 seconds.  Bliss Heers of United States was double clear in a time of 40.97 seconds to take third riding Goodbye while Abdel Said and Calvaro slotted into fourth place representing Belgium.  Two-time Canadian Olympian and hometown favourite Amy Millar of Perth, ON, rounded out the top five with a double-clear performance riding Jagger HX.

Ottawa marked only the third competition together for Rinaldi, who rides for Enda Carroll’s Ashford Farm in Belgium, and Snapchat vd Broekkant Z.

“He’s quite young but he definitely doesn’t act his age; he acts like an old soul,” said Rinaldi of the eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Hunter’s Scendix x Concorde) owned by Ashford Farm.  “This is only the second two-star grand prix he has ever jumped.  I wasn’t able to watch any go before me in the jump-off, but I know my horse has a really big stride so thought I would use that to my advantage.  I tried not to interfere with him.  He knows what he’s doing.  To get the win as a young horse just learning the ropes, he’s done a fantastic job.  I want to thank Ashford Farm for the opportunity and my groom, Leah, for always taking such good care of the horses.”

To score victory in her first trip to Wesley Clover Parks was an exciting moment for Rinaldi, who is originally from Wayne, IL, and now calls Wellington, FL, home.

“It's my first season doing Major League Show Jumping and I’m really excited to be out here,” said Rinaldi, who is competing as a member of the Archers team.  “The field is amazing.  It rides great and I love jumping on the grass.  There’s a nice crowd here, nice atmosphere, and we got really lucky with the weather.  This venue also really takes care of the horses; there are plenty of places to walk and hand-graze them.  I love it.”

The $200,000 USD Major League Show Jumping Team event, presented by ClipMyHorse.TV, was also held on Saturday with the win going to the Northern Lights.  The all-Canadian team of Elizabeth Bates riding Heartbeat W, Sean Jobin aboard Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z, and Nicole Walker riding Atout des Trambles held off the Trailblazers for the win.  Team KPF claimed the final spot on the podium with a third-place finish.

The Major League Show Jumping Ottawa tournament runs through Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.  Showcasing the highest level of international show jumping competition with a CSI5* rating from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), Major League Show Jumping Ottawa also features a CSI2* division to offer a combined total of more than $800,000 in prize money.

Upcoming competition highlights include:

Sunday, August 25 at 11 a.m. - $182,000 USD CSI5* RBC Grand Prix
*followed by press conference

Sunday, August 25 at 2 p.m. - $31,100 USD CSI5* Mark Motors Winning Round

General admission tickets are required for all competition days at Major League Show Jumping Ottawa and can be purchased by clicking here.  Children aged 12 and under are admitted free.  For those unable to attend in person, livestreaming from Major League Show Jumping Ottawa is available on Clip My Horse.

For more information on the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, visit www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com.  All competitor information is available at www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/calendar and full results can be found at ottawa.showmanagementsystem.com/events.  All class lists and results are also available by downloading the Major League Show Jumping app.

Get the latest updates, news, and photos by following Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments on Facebook here and Instagram at @OttawaEquestrianTournaments.  Share your Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments experience by tagging #TenYearsOfTournaments and #RideTheParks!

$31,100 USD CSI2* Kubota Grand Prix – Saturday, August 24

Rider / Country / Horse / Faults / Time
1.  Giavanna Rinaldi / United States / Snapchat vd Broekkant Z / 0:0 / 39.72
2.  Roberto Teran Tafur / Colombia / Iron Maiden / 0:0 / 40.57
3.  Bliss Heers / United States / Goodbye / 0:0 / 40.97
4.  Abdel Said / Belgium / Calvaro / 0:0 / 41.98
5.  Amy Millar / Canada / Jagger HX / 0:0 / 43.06
6.  Michael Williamson / United States / 0:0 / 45.46
7.  Luis Larrazabal / Venezuela / Baroness / 0:4 / 40.92
8.  Nicole Walker / Canada / Excellent B / 0:4 / 43.74
9.  Karime Perez Nunez / Mexico / Dolcevita de Lacke / 4
10.  Mark Bluman / Colombia / Kanjer P / 4
11.  Stephanie Garrett / United States / Darius de Kezeg Z / 4 / 4
12.  Sean Jobin / Canada / Arkuga / 4