CDS Riders Were Well Represented at the 100th Royal Winter Fair
Earlier this month, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair celebrated its 100th anniversary 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.
This year, seven Country Day School students participated in this much-anticipated event:
Grade 5 student, Karson O’Connor, was the youngest of our students to qualify this year. This had been a goal he had set to achieve “someday”, so the fact that he was able to do that at 10-years-old was very special. Karson and his pony, Jane Russell, were first timers to show during the first weekend and rode to a 5th place finish in the Small Pony under saddle class, and earned an 8th place finish in the Small Pony Hunter over fences.
Sydney Hansen ’24 competed in the Combined Hunters the first weekend, placing 3rd and 7th in the over fences and 4th in the Stake, finishing 5th overall. This was Sydney’s first Royal and she received ribbons in all three jumping classes.
For Isobel Bruun ’24, this was also her first time competing at the Royal Horse Show and she placed 7th in the Hunter under saddle class and 6th in Hunter over fences.
Alexa Hrynyk ’24 rode her horse Asombrada in the Junior Jumper 1.20m division the second weekend of the Royal. According to Alexa, the atmosphere was remarkable when riding into the ring, and she and Asombrada competed to the best of their abilities. “I am beyond grateful for my friends, parents, coach, and of course Asombrada for helping me achieve this goal.”
Avery Tallman ‘24 also received an award at the Royal this year placing 1st overall in Ontario in the pre-training division of Eventing.
Despite missing three competitions due to injury, Chelsea Lowe ’23 received two awards at this year’s Royal, placing 2nd overall in Ontario for preliminary (2*) in eventing and 4th in the training division (1*) of eventing.
Grade 5 student, Karson O’Connor, was the youngest of our students to qualify this year. This had been a goal he had set to achieve “someday”, so the fact that he was able to do that at 10-years-old was very special. Karson and his pony, Jane Russell, were first timers to show during the first weekend and rode to a 5th place finish in the Small Pony under saddle class, and earned an 8th place finish in the Small Pony Hunter over fences.
Sydney Hansen ’24 competed in the Combined Hunters the first weekend, placing 3rd and 7th in the over fences and 4th in the Stake, finishing 5th overall. This was Sydney’s first Royal and she received ribbons in all three jumping classes.
For Isobel Bruun ’24, this was also her first time competing at the Royal Horse Show and she placed 7th in the Hunter under saddle class and 6th in Hunter over fences.
Alexa Hrynyk ’24 rode her horse Asombrada in the Junior Jumper 1.20m division the second weekend of the Royal. According to Alexa, the atmosphere was remarkable when riding into the ring, and she and Asombrada competed to the best of their abilities. “I am beyond grateful for my friends, parents, coach, and of course Asombrada for helping me achieve this goal.”
Avery Tallman ‘24 also received an award at the Royal this year placing 1st overall in Ontario in the pre-training division of Eventing.
Despite missing three competitions due to injury, Chelsea Lowe ’23 received two awards at this year’s Royal, placing 2nd overall in Ontario for preliminary (2*) in eventing and 4th in the training division (1*) of eventing.
Reese Falkenberg ’23 rode in three classes in the Junior Jumper 1.20m National Championship on her horse Casper (Castello Z). “Despite not placing top 10 in the classes, each time I left the ring with more confidence,” said Reese. “I am proud to have qualified and gained the experience of competing at that level. Casper and I made it from start to finish together.”
Congratulations to all seven CDS riders!
CDS has a long history of accomplished equestrians, starting with co-founder and past parent Moffat Dunlap, who along with other past and current CDS parents and grandparents, either played important roles with the Canadian Equestrian Team or competed in the equestrian events at the Olympics.
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
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.
(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.
