Canada’s grand master of show jumping, Ian Millar, of Perth, Ontario, won his tenth national title in today’s Canadian Show Jumping Championships, but had to beat his 33-year-old son, Jonathon, to do so. If not for a small fraction, the third member of the Millar show jumping dynasty would have been in the top-5. Millar’s 30-year-old daughter, Amy, rode Costa Rica Z to sixth place.In today’s second and final phase of the national championship, Eric Lamaze, of Schomberg, Ontario, came in the leader after a spectacular performance last night in the opening phase. Millar, 60, was just fractions behind him. Jonathon Millar was in fourth position. As the rails fell for many of the competitors today, the standings quickly began to shuffle.

Jonathon Millar on Fancy Hill made a big move with two clean rounds. To his detriment, his father, riding In Style, did the same, and carried an advantage from last night’s performance. Lamaze dropped to seventh overall with a rail down in each of the two rounds and one time fault. He was riding Narcotique de Muze II, while his top mount, Hickstead, recovers from abdominal surgery.

“When any one of us wins, it’s a good day”, an elated Jonathon Millar said, obviously feeling no animosity about his father defeating him. For the younger Millar, his second-place finish is the crowning moment of what has been a spectacular season. The senior Millar, always a tough competitor, jokingly apologized to his son for beating him.

The Millars have begun to make a habit of 1-2 finishes. Jonathon and Amy logged two such finishes earlier this season, with Jonathon winning one and Amy the other.  In 2001, when the second generation were new to the grand prix jumping scene, “Team Millar” logged a 1-2-3 finish in a $100,000 grand prix in Florida. On that occasion Jonathon defeated his father and sister.

Ian Millar is looking for his ninth Olympic berth next year, which would equal the world record, and proved today that he is still on top of his game. Addressing Lamaze’s misfortune today, Millar said “He’s a great guy and a great rider. The stars have been alligned in his favour this year. We really need him on that Olympic team next year.”

Mario Deslauriers, of Bromont, Quebec; Jill Henselwood, of Oxford Mills, Ontario; and Kim Farlinger, of Annan, Ontario took third, fourth and fifth places.