Kara Chad had been chasing a four-star win since arriving in 黑马磁力 for the Canadian Premier last week, where she finished runner up in two CSI4* classes.
On Thursday, at the Odlum Brown BC Open at Thunderbird Show Park (tbird), she seized it.
Partnered with Corinna Z, the Canadian team member was one of eight clears in the CSIO4* $31,100 Fobi 1.45m.
Returning last for the jump-off, she sped to a career best finish on the nine-year-old mare, securing victory in 40.94 seconds 鈥� more than half a second faster than Ireland's runner-up James Chawke aboard Daido Van鈥檛 Ruytershof Z.
U.S.A.'s McKayla Langmeier and Pepita VD Rollebeek took third.
鈥淪he鈥檚 actually a homebred, so it makes the win even more special,鈥� Chad said.
鈥淚 thought for 1.45m, it was quite a bold course, but a great jump-off course. I was able to watch James [Chawke] and Conor [Swail] and all those great riders to see the numbers and where I could make up time. Fortunately, it worked out.鈥�
Corinna Z (Cornet Obolensky x Kannan) began her career in France, before Chad took the reins at age five, meticulously developing her to this level. Bred from a mare Chad rode as a junior, the young star has inherited her dam鈥檚 best traits.
鈥淸Her dam] was actually a mare I rode when I was 12,鈥� Chad explained.
鈥淸Winia Van鈥檛 Vennehof] was an amazing junior jumper鈥攕uper game, super fast. Corinna definitely took on all the good qualities of her mom and, I think, all the good qualities of her dad. We were very lucky to end up with her.鈥�
Competing in her first 1.50m just a week prior, Corinna is proving herself a rising star.
鈥淪he鈥檚 quite small, so we weren鈥檛 sure how big she鈥檇 jump, but she鈥檚 proving that height is not an issue,鈥� Chad said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so exciting. Even if she doesn鈥檛 win, it鈥檚 just amazing to be able to produce a horse up to that level from the beginning. I think we always knew that she was very, very special.鈥�
In the barn, Corinna is as charming as she is competitive.
鈥淚n the stall, she鈥檚 so sweet and cuddly 鈥� the type of horse that knickers when you walk in,鈥� Chad shared.
鈥淎nd she鈥檚 very motivated by food. She loves her food. But when it鈥檚 game time, she knows.鈥�
With multiple podium finishes this week and now a win, Chad is reaping the rewards of years spent developing her string.
鈥淚鈥檝e been building these horses to this level for a few years,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll the pieces are coming together, and this is the best group I鈥檝e had.鈥�
Competing on home soil made the victory even sweeter. 鈥淚 love this show,鈥� Chad said of Thunderbird.
Chad continued her winning streak on Thursday at the BC Open, adding the CSI2* $31,100 Friends of tbird 1.45m title to her earlier victory 鈥� this time aboard the eight-year-old Chicago.
Though it marked her first time winning two ranking classes in one day, Chad wasn鈥檛 surprised by the Anglo European gelding鈥檚 rapid success.
鈥淗e has so much jump,鈥� she said of Chicago (USA Today x Cardento 933).
鈥淓verything鈥檚 a walk in the park for him. Every time I jump, he just keeps getting better. For how little he鈥檚 done, he just understands the game. Every time you ask him to do something or try to teach him something, the next time he鈥檚 better. It鈥檚 really exciting to work with the horse that you know is going to jump really big fences one day," she enthused.
Purchased from the Whitaker family in Great Britain, where he was bred and started by Will and Jim Whitaker, Chicago has thrived under Chad鈥檚 guidance.
Despite limited two-star experience, she trusted he was ready for the win.
One of just six clears, Chad faced stiff competition in the jump-off.
鈥淢y plan was to be really efficient,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 maybe the second jump-off I鈥檝e done on him. He鈥檚 very good at turning back on fences. He has so much scope that I could just sit quietly and he just fires through it. The last two [fences] were a bit of a run, but he has a massive stride and he really enjoyed it.鈥�
Their winning time of 44.97 seconds held against strong challengers, including Ireland's Conor Swail with Count Me In (second) and U.S.'s Karrie Rufer aboard Stern Dei Folletti (third).
Chad credits her consistent focus on pace and rhythm for these results.
鈥淥nce you get to the highest level of the sport, that鈥檚 what wins classes,鈥� she elaborated.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really important when you have the right horses, and they鈥檙e ready for it, that you focus on teaching them to go fast and teaching yourself to learn how to make that horse fast.鈥�
The day grew even sweeter when her fiance, Matt Sampson, won a 1.45m class in St. Gallen with the British team.
Partners in Maple Park Farm, their Trans-Atlantic operation has flourished during the past five years of producing top horses.
鈥淏eing in it together, we鈥檙e bouncing ideas off each other and feeding off confidence from each other. When he wins a class in the morning, I鈥檓 like, 鈥業鈥檓 gonna win this class later!鈥� Healthy competition only benefits both of us. He鈥檚 taught me so much. He鈥檚 an extremely accomplished rider and such a natural horseman,鈥� she said.
The world-class riding continues at tbird this weekend.
On Saturday, there's the CSI2* Grand Prix 1.45m at 1 p.m., and the CSIO4* Uyradis Village 1.50m at 4 p.m. Then Sunday is CSIO4* Nations Cup 1.55, which is expected to get underway at 2 p.m.
