The US rider entered four, but his winning mount with 'a stride like Secretariat' surprised him with the gelding's first grand prix victory.

It was a full slate of hunter and jumper events at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, culminating with Sunday's $20,000 Grand Prix.

“He’s definitely my soul mate,” says the young Canadian of the sales horse who was too special not to keep.

The future looks promising as the 18-and-under show jumpers take the silver medal in the CSIOJ Nations’ Cup at tbird.

Smart, efficient riding landed Steffens at the top of the podium; the Canadian will be part of the Nations Cup team on Sunday riding Freaky.

The $235,000 Friday feature at Thunderbird Show Park also marked the American's first 5* victory here; top Canadian was Ali Ramsay, 4th.

The Irish rider rode Theo 160 to the win in a field of 52 ; Canada's Mario Deslauriers has two in the top 10.

Thunderbird Show Park's Odlum Brown BC Open starts June 1st and also features the $235,000 Longines Grand Prix.

Thunderbird Show Park was the site of the $200,000 team competition, won by Eugenio Garza Perez, Ashlee Bond and Bliss Heers.

The Irish rider rode Nadal Hero & DB to the stallion's second 5* win of the week; Canadian Anya Bereznicki dominates U25 division.