Press release from Thunderbird Show Park

The final international event on Thunderbird Show Park’s 2024 calendar is the CSI2* BCHJA Fall Finale. But it might be better known as The Chawke Show after this week.

Husband-and-wife team James and Jacqueline Chawke swept the international division, winning all four classes, including the week’s feature event, the CSI2* Grand Prix.

Jacqueline kicked off the Chawkes winning week with a victory in the CSI2* Welcome on Wednesday on their homebred LFS E’toile (Etoulon x Harlequin de Carel). It was the 8-year-old gelding’s international debut.

James picked up the slack on Thursday, winning the CSI2* Qualifier with Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z. On Friday, he doubled down with a 1-2 finish in the CSI2* Winning Round, taking the victor’s spoils on Daido van’t Ruytershof Z and the runner up’s spot on Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z.

Needless to say, the on-form Irishman was the favorite heading into Saturday’s CSI2* Grand Prix—and he didn’t disappoint.

Aboard Daido van’t Ruytershof Z (aka Tally), James was first to find a clear path around Meghan Rawlin’s 1.45m course. He was also the last to do it on Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z (aka Nicky) to bookend the six-horse jump off.

He went on to make short work of the short course. James set the time to beat in a deceptively quick 42.72 seconds on Daido van’t Ruytershof Z with an exceptionally tight rollback after the first line and bending track through the double combination.

“She’s so quick. I just try to be nice and tidy on my turns,” said James of his strategy with the 10-year-old mare.

By the time he returned four horse’s later with Alison Locke’s 11-year-old stallion (Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster opted to withdraw from the jump off) none had come within three seconds of his time and James already had the win in the bag. That didn’t stop him from taking a run at it with Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z. A small stumble in the first turn ultimately put them a second place on 44.2s. Samantha Buirs-Darvill (CAN) and Chic D Emma Z took third in 46.52s to round out the all-Zangersheide podium.

As speedy as James’s horses are in the ring, they are equally calm walking out of it. Neither of his mounts reacted to the cheering crowd as they sauntered out of the ring on a long rein, prompting livestream host Jenny Rudall to observe that Chawke makes winning look “frustratingly casual.”

“Well, that’s the point,” smiled James in the post-class interview. “Being stressed doesn’t get you anywhere.”

It’s a strategy that’s clearly working for the Abbelyleix import.

Saturday’s victory brings Daido’s Grand Prix win count to three this summer at tbird. The speedy pair topped the 1.50m Steel-Craft Doors Grand Prix and the ATCO Cup during the August Summer Series. Nacara, meanwhile, has logged five FEI podium finishes at tbird this season, including two wins.

“I couldn’t ask for two nicer animals to have,” said James.