September 2009 - Sport Nova Scotia

16
NS Riders Jumping into Green Diamond Series
rand-new jumping series has
ova Scotia’s equestrian comunity
aiming for new heights.
he Green Diamond Maritime Jumper
series kicked off its inaugural season
n July—filling a void that’s existed in
he community for a few years, says
ova Scotia Equestrian Federation
oard member Carrie MacDonald.
For various reasons, the province
ost some of its jumper competitions in
ecent years. “Our jumper-riders have
eclined in the province because they
ust haven’t had competitions to take
heir horses out to,” MacDonald says.
But the seven-event Green Diamond
eries is changing that. With jumps set
t 1.20 metres, the series gives riders and
quine athletes a serious challenge that
hey no longer have to travel to other
arts of the country to find.
“It gives people who are developing
something to work toward,” MacDonald
says. “It starts developing the top level
of our sport here in Atlantic Canada.
This provides them with an opportunity
to compete at home.”
The Green Diamond series draws
in riders from across the Maritimes.
The series
opened in
Wolfville on
July 17 and
also made
stops in Geary, N.B., and Stanhope,
P.E.I. The next event will be held at the
Hants County Exhibition in Windsor
from September 24-26, before the series
wraps up its first season at the Maritime
Fall Fair in Halifax, October 8-12.
The series provides a good balance
alongside the Greenhawk Equitation
Medal Series, MacDonald says, and
gives younger riders something to
strive for.
“Because we didn’t have the
competitions, younger athletes weren’t
moving into the jumper divisions,”
she says. “This has provided kids with
an opportunity to see local jumperriders
compete over good courses at
a good height, for good prize money.
It’s going to
make more
kids want
to go and
compete in
that direction. If you’re developing a
long-term athlete, that’s where they go
to compete at the Olympics or national
competitions.”
The series couldn’t have happened
without the support of Green Diamond
Equipment, Atlantic Canada’s largest
John Deere dealership. Marketing
director Stephani Allison said Green
Diamond was thrilled to team up with
the Equestrian Federation.
“We thought it was a good time to get
our foot in the door with some equine
associations,” she says. “It was a way
for us to get out to that segment of
customers and also fill a void to develop
that kind of athletes. It was a win-win
for everyone. There was a lot of input
from the actual riders and competition
organizers as to what they needed.”
Allison has been to most of the events
on the series, bringing her daughter
along to hand out ribbons at one event,
and she says she’s heard great feedback
from riders and organizers.
“They’re a great group to work with,”
she says. “We’re really looking forward
to the Fall Fair and the grand finale.”
For more on the Green Diamond
Maritime Jumper Series, visit the Nova
Scotia Equestrian Federation at www.
horsenovascotia.ca
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September 22-24, 2009
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