Alexandra Perry Rides-Off To Jump Canada Medal Finals Win

Perry And Alezan 7 Dazzle At The 2013 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Toronto, ON – Rider Alexandra Perry demonstrated grace under pressure to take top honours in the Canadian Championship Jump Canada Medal finals – presented by the Usherwood Family of Norval, ON –  on Tuesday, November 5th, at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

The 18-year-old from Vancouver, British Columbia, was among 26 top junior equitation riders from across Canada vying for the championships in the Ricoh Coliseum, one of the country’s most prestigious events for riders under 21. The first phase over the 3’6” course, designed by Michel Vaillancourt, contributed 60 per cent of the score.

Eight riders were called to return for the flat phase, worth 40 percent of their score, and then the field was whittled to four: Savanna King of Calgary, Alberta, on Rubix; Dannie Murphy of Charlottetown, PEI, on Dalvey K; Jessica Blum of Gormley, Ontario, on Carnell; and Alexandra on Alezan 7. They were asked to complete a pattern that involved counter canter, canter, a halt and sitting trot.

Tension mounted as Jessica and Alexandra were called upon to perform yet another test that included a hand gallop, canter, halt and sitting trot.

Alexandra was named winner by the judges after she clearly demonstrated the different pace between the hand gallop and canter and executed a flawless halt – an element that cost Jessica when her horse resisted her command and continued to fidget.

“The second pattern was a bit of a surprise,” said Alexandra. “We don’t normally do two ride-offs. It was quite a short pattern and made all the details stand out.”

Her horse, a 17-year-old Westphalian gelding purchased from Ian Millar (known around here as “Captain Canada”), does double duty as an equitation horse and jumper and was purchased to teach Alexandra the ropes over larger fences.

The key to winning Medal rounds is “definitely communication with the horse,” said Alexandra. “And Alezan can have a mind of his own.”

Fortunately, communication between the two flowed smoothly and it was, nonetheless, portrayed in their round.

Alexandra has been riding with Laura Balisky of Thunderbird Show Stables for the past seven years and doing Medal classes for three years. Balisky made history by being the first Canadian and youngest female ever to win both the ASPCA and Maclay Finals and the AHSA Medal Finals. She also has represented Canada numerous times, including at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics and was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 1987 Pan American Games. She and husband Brent Balisky have coached numerous Medal final winners at the Royal.

“You want a smooth round and to jump clean and to prepare with the best case scenario in mind,” said Balisky. “Lexi’s (Alexandra’s) horse has a big jump and stride and is able to get the lines done. And you want good position – Lexi has that part down.”

Though she’s used to tough competition and the atmosphere of the Thunderbird Equestrian Park, a major show venue, Alexandra described her first trip to the Royal as “so amazing.” Despite her Medal victory, she and Alezan 7 had little time to rest on their laurels, as they are scheduled to compete in the CET Medal finals taking place over the next few days.

By: Tracy Hanes

Read more on the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, click here!

Photo courtesy of One Stride At A time