Tamie Phillips Selected as ProChaps ‘Athlete of the Month’ for June

Photo: Cealy Tetley

Tamie Phillips of Strathmore, AB, has been selected by Jump Canada as the ProChaps ‘Athlete of the Month’ for June.

Phillips attracted the attention of the Selection Committee with strong performances during the World Equestrian Games Observation Trials at the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ and ‘Continental’ Tournaments, held in Calgary, AB, from June 7-11 and June 14-18, respectively.

Phillips’ had declared both Starlet and Lucas for consideration, but it was Lucas who delivered great performances at Spruce Meadows to be named an alternate for the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, in August. On the final day of competition in the ‘Continental’ Tournament, the pair enjoyed a top ten finish in the $100,000 CN Performance Grand Prix, which acted as the first World Cup Qualifier of the Canadian World Cup League.

“I was really excited to move Lucas up to the 1.60m division and I am ecstatic with how well he did,” commented Phillips. Interestingly, Phillips and her mother, Merle Gardner, bred Lucas, now a 10-year-old Canadian Warmblood, and have done all of the training themselves.

“I feel very honoured to be chosen,” stated Phillips, who also earned the Chrysler Canadian Leading Rider Award at the 2005 Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament riding Starlet. "I’ve been having a really good year, and it’s fantastic to be recognized."

In recognition of her achievement, Phillips 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. 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

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.