Five-star newbie Giavanna Rinaldi took charge of a grand prix whose first round saw 9 four-faulters, 7 horses retired and 4 eliminations.
Kent Farrington
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The $235,000 Friday feature at Thunderbird Show Park also marked the American's first 5* victory here; top Canadian was Ali Ramsay, 4th.
"She is exceptionally careful and is really fast, so she is my kind of horse," said the American rider after topping a large field of 36.
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Opening day of the tournament saw 16 nations compete in the featured Trophée de Genève, including Canada's Erynn Ballard.
The pair had the only double-clear effort to clinch the victory in Lexington; Tiffany Foster and Figor top Canadians in 4th.
Exciting competition continues at Spruce Meadows with a pair of top-five Canadian finishes in the International Ring.
Kent Farrington is making a habit of winning the day's first class in the international ring at the Spruce Meadows Masters.
Canadians challenged with second-place finishes for Hyde Moffatt and Eric Lamaze and top-5 for Tiffany Foster and Mario Deslauriers.