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Atlantic Canadians Ruled in the Jump Canada Talent Squad Competition

November 6, 2005

Geary, NB --- Geary, New Brunswick resident, Deanna Phelan, riding her 11 year old Oldenburg mare, Sunshine, was named Reserve Champion in the Jump Canada Talent Squad Competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto on Saturday, November 5th.

Hot off a major success at the Eastern Division Championship Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series Grand Prix in Halifax in October, Phelan headed confidently to Toronto. In Halifax, Phelan was the lone Maritimer challenging a field of Olympic veterans and experienced Grand Prix jumpers. First into the ring, she scored a clear round laying down the gauntlet for those to follow. First back in the jump-off, Phelan and Sunshine knocked the last jump down, ending in eighth place overall. At the time she said “I’m glad we were able to rise to the occasion and represent both New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada with pride. I was nervous. It was the first time this year for me riding against people like Mario (Deslauriers) and Beth (Underhill) and doing it in front of over 4000 people. It was a good show tonight and it gave me the confidence to ride in more open-level classes (in the future).”

The experience paid off. At the “Royal”, Phelan and Sunshine placed first in the $8000 Alfred Rogers Talent Squad class. In the second class in the Division, the $10,000 Alfred Rogers Talent Squad, the pair placed third. Their combined points were sufficient to earn the Reserve Champion title in the Jump Canada Talent Squad.

17 year old Mark Leyton and his horse Nicole, from St. John’s, Newfoundland, who trains with just-crowned Canadian Champion, Jill Henselwood, placed 2nd in the 1st class and 1st in the 2nd class, amassing one more point than Phelan to take the Jump Canada Talent Squad Championship.

Phelan and her sister, Valerie, run the family’s business, Geary Hill Stables, near Oromocto, NB. She trains with Jen Hamilton of Windsor, NS, and competes in both Canada and the United States. She is planning on taking Sunshine and her other horse, Pasquina, to compete in Florida this winter.

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