(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB):  The $1 million CN International Grand Prix took place today on the Spruce Meadows International Ring.  It features only the best in the world with an extreme course asking more questions of the horse and rider than any other. 

The first rounds saw 12 riders clear from the forty qualified entries over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN).  Each of those riders moved on to the second round.  The second round was more demanding than the first, each turn and each jump carefully placed to demand the utmost skill from horse and rider.  When World Champion Jos Lansink (BEL) and his horse Al Kaheel Cavalor Cumano took to the ring they handled each jump with apparent ease.  It seemed they would have a perfect second round to at least force a jump off until the second to last jump.  With four faults the pair settled for third.  Eric Lamaze (CAN) followed. His stallion Hickstead had been amazing all summer.  They became the first to master the course with only one entry left to challenge.  The crowd of over 60,000 was on their feet at the end of Lamaze’s round.  The last rider, Nick Skelton (GBR) was looking for his forth CN victory this time with his stallion Arko III.  The pair had an early rail and the crowd erupted for their Canadian Champion.

Lamaze was amazed by his win, “He’s jumped well all year.  He was good in the Nations’ Cup with two clear rounds.  It’s hard to believe it could happen again.  I had a really good feeling about the second round.”  Filled with emotion, Lamaze hoisted his winner’s cheque of $325,000 to the cheers of the partisan fans.

CN International top 12

1. Hickstead, Eric Lamaze (CAN), $325,000

2. Toulon, Hubert Bourdy (FRA), $200,000

3. Al Kaheel Cavalor Cumano, Jos Lansink (BEL), $100,000

4. Eurocommerce Milano, Gerco Schroder (NED), $75,000

5. Fresh Direct Corlato, Tim Stockdale (GBR), $50,000

6. Arko III, Nick Skelton (GBR), $37,000

7. Exquis Oliver Q, Harrie Smolders (NED), $25,000

8. Cristallo, Richard Spooner (USA), $21,000

9. Van Schyndel’s Curtis, Piet Raymakers (NED), $17,000

10. Olaf, Leon Thijssen (NED), $15,000

11. Casadora, Lauren Hough (USA), $14,000

12. Archie Bunker, John Pearce (CAN), $13,000

 

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