Spruce Meadows National Tournament Day 1

Calgary, AB – The conditions weren’t perfect for first day competitions in the Spruce Meadows International Ring but a little rain never stopped Canadian Eric Lamaze. With the Enbridge Cup on the line the Olympic Champion proved he has what it takes, rain or shine.

FEI course designer, Werner Deeg (GER), put together a track that featured 15 jumping efforts over 560 metres of course. After a long day of hard rain that saw over an inch fall onto the International Ring, the Table A speed test proved a worthy challenge.

One of the best when it comes to speed is of course Canada’s Lamaze. The native of Schomberg, ON was riding his 10 year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Take Off. The pair were on, finishing the course in 71.34 seconds.

“I used Take Off in Europe in 1.50 speed competitions,” said Lamaze. “She was the right horse for today, she’s fast and knows this ring,” added the Olympic Champion. Take Off was perfect today even in less than perfect conditions, being ridden by one of the best in the sport to top spot in the Enbridge Cup.

The rain had no effect on the footing, but did eventually take its toll on the riders. “The horses are jumping fine, the footing is good,” said Lamaze. “It’s just so uncomfortable for the riders,” explained the champion of the Enbridge Cup, adding “the show must go on!”

Enbridge Cup top 10 –

1. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Take Off

2. Brianne Goutal – USA – Ralvesther

3. Jill Henselwood – CAN – Bottom Line

4. Ashlee Bond – USA – Cadett 7

5. Andrew Welles – USA – Tornado

6. Beezie Madden – USA – Coral Reef Via Volo

7. Pablo Barrios – VEN – G&C Blanchee Z

8. Simon Nizri – MEX – Puertas Paraiso

9. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Atlete Van T Heike

10. Beth Underhill – CAN – Top Gun

The first day of the Spruce Meadows “National” Tournament was brought to a close with the ATB Financial Cup. The jump-off competition saw 17 entries take on the Werner Deeg, designed course. The 1.60 metre course featured 15 jumping efforts in a time allowed of 84 seconds.

There were six up to the task of the first round, moving onto the jump-off. One Canadian stood ahead of the rest, John Pearce. As a member of the only Canadian team to have won a Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, Pearce knows how to perform under pressure.

Today he did so with his 14 year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Chianto. The pair were perfect through two rounds, with a time of 50.38 in the jump-off. “I ran pretty hard to the last fence, I knew I just had to jump that one clear,” said Pearce. “I wanted to be fast enough to make everyone else work,” added the Champion of the ATB Financial Cup.

Pearce was quick to credit his mount, with a remarkable rookie appearance in the Spruce Meadows International Ring, “I was thrilled with this horse, it was his first time in this ring and he loves it,” said Pearce.

ATB Financial

1. John Pearce – CAN – Chianto

2. Nicolas Pizarro – MEX – Crossing Jordan

3. Christopher Lowe – CAN – Jackpot

4. Pablo Barrios – VEN – G&C Sinatra

5. Katie Mohahan-Prudent – FRA – Sassicaia II

6. Leslie Howard – USA – Lennox Lewis 2

7. Paola Amilibia – ESP – Cabri D’Elle

8. Norman Dello Joio – USA – Scarface

9. Federico Fernandez – MEX – Zorro

10. Keean White – USA – Celena Z

The 35th Anniversary season continues tomorrow with International Ring competition beginning at 3:30 with the Prairie Mines & Royalty Cup, and followed by the 1.60m Spectra Energy Cup. Rain or shine sport continues at Spruce Meadows, setting up for what are sure to be spectacular conditions and sport.

Post competition clips can be found at www.sprucemeadows.com or on our ftp site.