Calgary, AB – International Ring competition began today with the Kinnear Financial Cup. There were 43 horse/rider combinations in the 1.50 metre combination. For Beth Underhill (CAN), who returned to the Spruce Meadows International Ring in 2009 after nearly a decade, tonight was as triumphant return.
Only four entries were able to master the Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed, 15 jumping effort course to move onto the jump-off round. Underhill was joined by Karl Cook and Georgina Bloomberg of the United States, along with Mexico’s Daniel Michan.
Beth Underhill was the last to go in the jump-off with her 10 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Top Gun. The first three through the second round finished with faults, allowing Underhill some breathing room.
“I was expecting a good performance tonight,” said Underhill of her mount. Finishing with a perfect score in the Kinnear Financial Cup was more than a good performance, the pair came across the finish line clear and in 42.05 seconds for the win.
“It’s the cherry on top win,” said tonight’s champion. “It’s the first time he’s won an event of this stature,” added Underhill, who’s coming off a surgery and shoulder injury all in the past month. “It’s been a roller coaster month so this feels just great.”
Kinnear Financial Cup top 10 –
1. Beth Underhill – CAN – Top Gun
2. Daniel Michan – MEX – Ragna T
3. Karl Cook – USA – Uno De Laubry
4. Georgina Bloomberg – USA – Fiedi 3
5. Clementine Goutal – USA – Kelline Fonroy
6. Tiffany Foster – CAN – Utopie
7. Jenna Thompson – CAN – Zeke
8. Jonathan Millar – CAN – Contino 14
9-. Lisa Carlsen – CAN – La Boom
10. Pablo Barrios – VEN – G&C Lagran
Currently ranked number one on the ROLEX FEI World Rankings list, Canada’s Eric Lamaze is literally sitting on top of the world. Tonight paired with his Olympic Champion mount, Lamaze aimed for the top of the D-Line Construction Cup.
Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed a 15 jumping effort course over a track of 550 metres with a time allowed of 83 seconds. It was a test for the 17 horse/rider combinations that started the 1.60 metre competition, with four able to move onto the jump-off round.
It was Lamaze who was first into the ring for the jump-off, with his 14 year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, Hickstead. Lamaze felt the pressure of the quality of horses and riders coming behind him. “I tried to go as fast as I could,” said Lamaze. “I was very afraid of Mario Deslauriers going after me.”
The added pressure gave Lamaze the kick he needed, the pair came across the finish line in 36.05 seconds. While Lamaze feared Deslauriers, his closest competitor was France’s Katie Monahan-Prudent and her 14 Dutch Warmblood mare Sassicaia II.
Monahan-Prudent pressed her mount, with a finish time of 36.36 seconds, a mere hair behind the Olympic Champion. For Lamaze and Hickstead it was their first win since the “National” Tournament where they won the first leg of the CN Precision Series, the CN Reliability Grand Prix.
“When you get the best spot, number one in the world it takes the pressure off,” said Lamaze after the win. With the horsepower, athleticism, talent at confidence, Lamaze and Hickstead will next tack up for Saturday’s ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup. A win in that would mean a $50,000 bonus for the pair, with their second stake in the 2010 CN Precision Series.
D-Line Construction Cup top 10 –
1. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Hickstead
2. Katie Monahan-Prudent – FRA – Sassicaia II
3. Keri Potter – USA – Rockford I
4. Mario Deslauriers – USA – Urico
5. Guy Thomas – NZL – Peterbilt
6. Karen Cudmore – CAN – Southern Pride
7. Chris Pratt – CAN – Union
8. Rodrigo Pessoa – BRA – Champ 163
9. Ashlee Bond – USA – Chivas Z
10. Mark Watring – PUR – Green Sleeps Vioco
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