Toronto, Ontario --- The Royal Horse Show went to the dogs today with international show jumpers and performing dogs teaming up for the $20,000 Nutram Dog and Pony Show.

Once the riders completed their jumping course, the performing dogs set off over a series of canine obstacles. The horse-dog combination with the fastest time were the winners for the sake of the audience, but for prize money purposes, only the rider's time was counted.

Frankie Chesler, 18, of Orangeville, ON, set a blistering time of 26.38 seconds with her 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Hevalientje. The win netted Canada's youngest Team member $6,000.

Italy's Lorenzo Toscano took second with Money Lender in a time of 29.12 seconds. Ainsley Vince, 23, of Milton, ON, was third in a time 30.02 seconds with Jasmine, but when teamed up with performing dog Whizz, the pair had the fastest combined time.

A fraction off of Vince's pace was 1998 Canadian Show Jumping Champion Mac Cone of King, ON, who clocked in at 30.06 aboard Galiana while Gabriella Salick of Thousand Oaks, CA, was fifth. Salick and Sandstone Dorina were teamed up with Fred, a pot belly pig who thinks he is a dog.

Tomorrow evening the Royal Horse Show features the $20,000 Intercon Security International and Open Jumper Challenge at 7 p.m. All results of the Royal Horse Show are available within minutes on the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair website, www.royalfair.org.

$20,000 Nutram Dog and Pony Show

Rider Country Horse Time
1. Frankie Chesler Orangeville, ON Hevalientje 26.38
2. Lorenzo Toscano Italy Money Lender 29.12
3. Ainsley Vince Milton, ON Jasmine 30.02
4. Mac Cone King, ON Galiana 30.06
5. Gabriella Salick United States Sandstone Dorina 30.24

Contact: Jennifer Ward Media Release Royal Horse Show For Immediate Release Tel: (416) 263-3134 e-mail: jward@equestrian.ca

Reprinted with permission of the copyright holder