Press release from Thunderbird Show Park

Kara Chad (CAN) had been chasing a four-star win since arriving in Langley for the Canadian Premier where she finished runner up in two CSI4* classes. On Thursday at the Odlum Brown BC Open, she seized it.

Partnered with Corinna Z, Chad was one of eight clears in the CSIO4* $31,100 Fobi 1.45m. Returning last for the jump-off, she sped to a career best finish on the 9-year-old mare, securing victory in 40.94 seconds—more than half a second faster than runner-up James Chawke (IRL) aboard Daido Van’t Ruytershof Z (Dieu Merci van T&L x Bamako de Muze). McKayla Langmeier (USA) and Pepita VD Rollebeek (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Toulon) took third.

“She’s actually a homebred, so it makes the win even more special,” Chad said. “I thought for 1.45m, it was quite a bold course, but a great jump-off course. I was able to watch James [Chawke] and Conor [Swail] and all those great riders to see the numbers and where I could make up time. Fortunately, it worked out.”

Corinna Z (Cornet Obolensky x Kannan) began her career in France before Chad took the reins at age 5, meticulously developing her to this level. Bred from a mare Chad rode as a junior, the young star has inherited her dam’s best traits.

“[Her dam] was actually a mare I rode when I was 12,” Chad explained. “[Winia Van’t Vennehof] was an amazing junior jumper—super game, super fast. Corinna definitely took on all the good qualities of her mom and, I think, all the good qualities of her dad. We were very lucky to end up with her.”

Competing in her first 1.50m just a week prior, Corinna is proving herself a rising star. “She’s quite small, so we weren’t sure how big she’d jump, but she’s proving that height is not an issue,” Chad said. “It’s so exciting. Even if she doesn’t win, it’s just amazing to be able to produce a horse up to that level from the beginning. I think we always knew that she was very, very special.”

In the barn, Corinna is as charming as she is competitive. “In the stall, she’s so sweet and cuddly—the type of horse that knickers when you walk in,” Chad shared. “And she’s very motivated by food. She loves her food. But when it’s game time, she knows.”

With multiple podium finishes this week and now a win, Chad is reaping the rewards of years spent developing her string. “I’ve been building these horses to this level for a few years,” she said. “All the pieces are coming together, and this is the best group I’ve had.”

Competing on home soil made the victory even sweeter. “I love this show,” Chad said of Thunderbird.