Author Archives: Catie Staszak

Tiffany Foster didn't technically cheat her way to victory in the $100,000 CSI2* Onni Group Grand Prix at Thunderbird Show Park. But, she admitted, the two horses she brought forward...

Kassidy Keith (CAN) was just 18 years old when she met a four-year-old Havana. The Dutch Warmblood mare by Cardento, from the dam line of Beezie Madden's (USA) Judgement, Havana...

An Irishman took the opening class of the BCHJA Fall Finale CSI2*, the final international event of Thunderbird Show Park's 2021 season. But it wasn't who you might think. Conor...

On a dreary Sunday afternoon at Thunderbird Show Park, a most dedicated crowd filled the sold-out grandstand seating around the Thunderbird Jumper Arena, and, dressed in ponchos and rain boots...

Tiffany Foster would define her current string as up and coming. In her group of international horses competing at Thunderbird Show Park's CSI4*-W Harvest Celebration, not one is above 10...

On Friday evening at Thunderbird Show Park, I chatted with Conor Swail. Naturally, he kicked off his week at the Harvest Celebration CSI4*-W with a victory in the $75,000 CSI4*-W...

Conor Swail may ride for Ireland, but over the course of the last decade, he's spent more time in North America. So when the global pandemic shut competition down worldwide...

It's been 563 days since I've commented a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League event. Only four more days to go. After taking a year off due to...

Hannah Rajotte (CAN) celebrated her Gotcha Day with Irish Sport Horse gelding Patronus at Thunderbird Show Park's Summer Fort Festival. Saturday marked three years that the grey joined her string,...

It took one jump to convince Robert Blanchette that Chardonnay was something special. It was late on a Sunday night in Sweden. Blanchette had gotten a phone call about a...

Katie Kruger's (CAN) enthusiasm is infectious. Minutes after riding to her first career international victory in the CSI3* $15,000 Maui Jim Winning Round 1.45m at Thunderbird Show Park, the 32-year-old...

Conor Swail's nine-year-old KWPN gelding Theo 160 entered the August circuit at Thunderbird Show Park with limited experience. The small-but-mighty chestnut had only jumped one 1.50m class and had just...

Last week at Thunderbird Show Park's Summer Fort Classic CSI3*, Kyle King watched from the rail as his fellow riders took on Peter Holmes' courses for international competition. He couldn't...

Vanessa Mannix and Catinka 25 have shared a lot of firsts. Having brought the now 12-year-old mare up from the time she was seven, they've successfully logged all the milestones,...

More than two years ago, Brian Morton (CAN) was preparing to make a thrilling homecoming. A few months into a new job as stable rider for Spruce Meadows, he was...

Isis Landsbergen has entered professionalism in her sport with the utmost preparation. The 25-year-old has involved herself in every facet of the industry—riding, training and even breeding. When Landsbergen won...

Major League Show Jumping takes the show on the road this week at Angelstone Tournaments in Toronto, Ontario, CAN. As the tour continues, we’re shining the spotlight on the fresher...

On a Thursday afternoon at Thunderbird Show Park, Robert Blanchette is juggling. Blanchette, who runs the Salinas, CA-based Blanchette Equestrian alongside his wife Tammy, brought forward two FEI horses, a...

Historically, Conor Swail has made a habit of winning at Thunderbird Show Park. But when the venue reopened in July, he was noticeably absent. He had to take a [border-closure-forced]...

The last word anyone would use to describe the Tokyo Olympic Games would be "normal." But it certainly was memorable. After a year delay and highly scrutinized lead up to...