Although the International ring at Spruce Meadows was far from dry, 26 internationally ranked riders braved the downpour to compete for the title of Champion of the TransCanada Parcours de Chasse. Through the rain, spectators watched and cheered as such riders as Richard Spooner, McLain Ward, Rich Fellers and Mario Deslauriers jumped the 700m course. They tackled obstacles such as the table top, and the south bank, which is precarious when wet. When all was said and done, it was Richard Spooner of the USA who came out victorious on his 10 year old Dutch Warmblood mare, Billy Bianca. Knowing the time to beat was 80.258, Rich Fellers (USA) raced around the course on his faithful Irish Gelding, McGuinness, but ultimately was just over one-tenth of a second away from beating out Spooner for the top spot. “I was sweating,” Spooner admitted. “Rich and I, we compete together, against each other, all the time and are good friends. I love McGuinness, I’ve seen him win dozens of these things around the world, I knew he could beat me and almost did.”
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