Jobin Keeps Up the Pace in CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome
Sean Jobin (CAN) got off to the fastest start of international competition at the Royal Horse Show, topping the $32,000 CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome with Mr. & Mrs. J. Renwick's Arkuga.
The pair crossed the final timers of the 1.45m Power and Speed competition in 21.13 seconds. Rene Dittmer (GER) finished second with Caldwell 5 (21.61 seconds), followed by Nicole Walker (CAN) and Eve d'Ouilly (22.39s).
"I'm feeling awesome. That was a great way to start the week for sure!" Jobin exclaimed. "It's special to win any time in a five-star week, but just being in Toronto in front of a home crowd...It's really cool to hear the Canadian anthem here."
The win marked Jobin's second in speed competition at the 2026 Royal Horse Show. He also led the victory lap in the first round of the Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship on opening night, topping the faults converted competition with Grande Dame DK.
In the CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome, Jobin was once again on the right pace from the start. But he and Arkuga took things up a notch when they entered the speed portion of the track, finding their winning edge with some exceptionally smooth inside turns.
"He's just a really quick horse overall," Jobin said. "He's really quick at the jumps, and he's really quick with his step. I thought when he made that second inside turn smooth—it was tight—and jumped [that fence] clear, I thought we had a really good chance [to win]."
Jobin has been partnered with Arkuga, a 15-year-old Anglo-European gelding, for more than three years. The bay has always made his preference for pace known; they key to success has been channeling that energy in the right ways.
"It's been a long time understanding him and getting to know him. It took me a while to figure out the way he wants to go with speed," Jobin shared. "I think the biggest thing with him is to just let him go quick. Whatever feels right, is right with him. He's so quick in the air [that] you don't have to overthink it."
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