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Fellers ‘Flexes’ World-Class Muscle at $25,000 Thunderbird Show Park Grand Prix

Flexible Delivers Yet Another Exceptional Round to Take the Win

August 15, 2008

Langley, BC --- It was one of the hottest days on record in Vancouver, but Rich Fellers and Flexible stayed cool as they took home first place in Friday’s $25,000 Thunderbird Show Park Grand Prix in Langley. With a field of 50 horse rider combinations, coming out on top was tough, but this pair is used to tough competition.

Rich Fellers and Flexible owned the day, much like they have all season. In April, the pair went up against the worlds best at the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in Sweden, taking second in the annual global championship. This was the second best finish for an American since Katharine Burdsall and The Natural won the event in 1987.

At 49, Fellers usually competes close to home, preferring family to international travel. Flexible, his 12 year-old Irish-bred stallion, seems ready to go every time he enters the ring. Not even two surgeries for a blocked artery and a broken shoulder could slow him down.

Riders in the Thunderbird Show Park Grand Prix came from across North America. Locals from Vancouver, Burnaby and Langley went up against those from Alberta, Montana, California, Oregon, Washington and even Florida. For spectators it was a chance to see the number two-ranked hose-rider team in the world, Rich Fellers and Flexible.

The course, designed by former US Olympian, Buddy Brown, featured long straight lines punctuated by tall verticals and wide oxers. Riders crossed the field twice as they tackled 15 jumping efforts that included the open water and ended at the very technical Warsteiner fence, whose curved planks require a careful jump, especially at the end of a long course when both horse and rider are tired.

Of the 50 entries, ten advanced to the jump off with clear rounds. Fellers and Flexible advanced, as did his other two mounts, Santa Teresita Fantasma and Gyro. Joining him were favourites Darrin Dlin, Audra Fleck-Snidjers and Allen Kruger with two.

Audra Fleck-Snidjers was first in, going quick, but taking the last rail for four faults and a time of 38.52. Darrin Dlin and Catwalk navigated the twisty course with grace, posting a clear ride with a time of 40.87, not fast enough to close the door on Fellers and Flexible who breezed through the course over three seconds faster at 37.48.

Laura Jane Tidball and Oxford took two rails, edging them out of the ribbons while Andrea Strain and Luigi went clear at 42.13 to slip into third. Fellers and Santa Teresita Fantasma looked great until the last fence, dropping a rail with a time of 39.06.

With his first mount in the jump off, Kruger and Pleasure time also took down the last fence with a time of 41.28. Tani Ziedler and Helraiser Clemence posted eight faults and 42.77. Fellers and Gyro gave the third fence a good rub before taking a rail on fence four, but a fast time of 37.49 put him at the top of the four-faulters. Last in, Kruger and Mrs. Quinn went for tight turns and slid over the Canada fence, which stayed up, but knocked the final fence for a time of 40.94.

This is Thunderbird’s 35th anniversary. George & Dianne Tidball welcomed their first horse and rider into the original Park grounds that now house the Colossus Theatre in 1973. Eight years ago they moved to the current 85-acre facility. During the six annual tournaments, the Park runs six hunter and jumper competition rings, including one of North America’s best Grand Prix fields.

Visitors to Thunderbird are treated to world-class show jumping in a warm and inclusive environment that respects tradition, history, competition and entrepreneurial spirit that inspired George Tidball to bring MacDonald’s to Canada and found the Keg restaurant chain.

The main events for the tournament are the $50,000 Sea to Sky Grand Prix on Sunday, August 17th at 2pm and the $75,000 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Grand Prix on Sunday, August 24th at 2pm. Many of the riders in today’s class will stay on until the Keg Grand Prix which will welcome 2008 Canadian Olympian, Jonathan Asselin, back from Beijing and into the line up.

For more information, please visit our site at www.thunderbirdshowpark.com. Thunderbird offers grandstand seating and complimentary parking and admission.

For further information on visiting the park or conducting telephone interviews with organizers, sponsors or riders, contact Pamela Saunders at Mark My Words PR via phone at 604-833-3372 or by email at pam@markmywordspr.com. Pamela will be on site this weekend from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, 3pm to 8pm on Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday.

$25,000 Thunderbird Show Park Grand Prix TOP 8
1. Rich Fellers	(Oregon)	Flexible				clear		37.48 
2. Darrin Dlin	(Florida)	Catwalk				clear		40.87
3. Andrea Strain (Langley,BC)	Luigi				clear		42.13	
4. Rich Fellers			Gyro				4 faults		37.49
5. Audra Fleck-Snidjers	 (Wash)	Rainland Mel			4 faults		38.52
6. Rich Fellers			Santa Teresita Fantasma	4 faults		39.06
7. Allen Kruger			Mrs. Quinn			4 faults		40.94
8. Allen Kruger			Pleasure Time			4 faults		41.28

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