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John Pearce Named ProChaps ‘Athlete of the Month’ for October

November 21, 2005

Based on his Grand Prix victory at the Maritime Fall Fair in Halifax, John Pearce was named the ProChaps ‘Athlete of the Month’ for October. Photo Credit: ©Cealy Tetley

Ottawa, Ontario --- John Pearce of Stouffville, ON, has been selected by Jump Canada as the ProChaps "Athlete of the Month" for October.

During the Maritime Fall Fair in Halifax, NS, held from October 7-16, horse enthusiasts watched their favourite show jumpers, including John Pearce, compete at the highest levels. On Saturday, October 15, in Halifax’s Exhibition Park, an eager and filled to capacity crowd watched 10 of 32 starters in the Kubota Cup Grand Prix go clear in the first round and go on to battle for the win. Pearce and Champagne, his 12-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding by Cassini, were the last to go for the jump-off and Pearce knew all too well that Mario Deslauriers of Bromont, QC, had posted a speedy round aboard Naomi.

“Mario Deslauriers was winning at the time and in order to be faster, I took a gamble with a very difficult inside turn to the second jump, something no other rider did,” said Pearce, who beat Deslauriers’ time by .071 of a second to capture victory. “I had three horses in the Grand Prix but only one in the jump-off, so I decided to take my ‘all or nothing’ chance. Saturday’s Grand Prix had a full house and a great crowd, so it was fantastic to win.”

Following his victory, Pearce was crowned the Eastern Division Champion in the Kubota Cup Show Jumping Series based on his season-long results with another horse, Archie Bunker, a seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Contender that is owned by Forest View Farm.

“This is not about me, it’s about the horses and the sport,” stated the 2000 Sydney Olympian. “Champagne always gives it his best effort. I have had him since he was five and he had been seriously injured so we have carefully brought him back. He is doing really well and was clear in the World Cup Qualifier at the Tournament of Champions. This was an excellent show for Kubota and I think that they are happy with the exposure. This sport needs more sponsors like Kubota.”

In recognition of his achievement, Pearce will receive a pair of state-of-the-art riding chaps, compliments of ProChaps. A Canadian manufacturer of high-performance riding chaps, ProChaps is the proud sponsor of the Jump Canada "Athlete of the Month" program and rewards each selected rider with a brand-new custom pair of its groundbreaking chaps. Using innovative materials, ProChaps has radically advanced the construction of riding chaps to cutting edge perfection. At the 2004 Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament, ProChaps was rewarded with Equi-Fair's prestigious New & Innovative Product Award for their original and unique chap design. For more information, please visit www.prochaps.com.

About Jump Canada

Jump Canada is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.jumpcanada.ca.

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