CDS Student Places 2nd at The Royal Horse Show
Last month, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair celebrated its 94th year as the world’s largest combined, indoor and agricultural equestrian event. The 10-day event takes place on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto, and one of its highlights, The Royal Horse Show, showcases world class equestrians from across Canada and around the world.
Sophia Tauro, a Grade 10 student at The Country Day School, was among those top competitors in the U18 category and won 2nd place in the Junior Working Hunter Class this year on her horse Charmeur.
“The Royal is basically our finals,” explains Sophia. For her particular class, "you are judged on a course of eight jumps. I do 3'6" and over the given course your goal is to try to showcase your horse the best."
The horse show season is from May until October. After attending all of the provincial shows, the top 10 riders in the province qualify to compete at The Royal. They also take four candidates from the Atlantic Provinces and Western Canada.
This was the third year Sophia and Charmeur qualified, quite an impressive feat for the 15-year-old who has only been riding on the circuit for five years. Last year the duo finished in the top 10 for the Jump Canada Medal Finals at The Royal.
“When I was 10, I went to The Royal Winter Fair and watched all of the riders doing what I do now. I wanted to be like them.” Sophia started with riding a pony and has moved up from there. With her sights set on success, combined with lots of determination, she is rightfully proud of how far she’s come.
The Royal has a reputation for being a very majestic event steeped in tradition and glamour. While all of this may be true, Sophia happily shared some less glamorous realities from behind the scenes, like the grueling schedules the riders face.
“I competed three out of seven of the days I was down there, which involved getting up at 3:30 each morning because that was the only time the ring was available to practice in. I would ride Charmeur and then find a place to take a nap because my class didn’t compete until 12 hours later.”
For Sophia and Charmeur, the long hours proved well worth it. They are a tightknit team who enjoy every moment of competition together. Sophia’s smile lights up when she talks about her horse and their special bond.
“Having a horse is different than just having a pet; it's a partnership. You rely on teamwork with trust as your foundation. Without that, it’s impossible to be successful.”
Sophia trains with her riding coach, Darcy Hayes, in King. Previously, she worked with Chris Sorensen, a CDS graduate from the Class of 2001. Chris is a member of the Canadian Equestrian team and now lives and shows in Europe.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
