Wednesday: Rowan Willis (AUS) and Cape Town Set the Pace
World-class competition returned to the International Ring as athletes from around the globe began their quest for success.
Opening day of the Spruce Meadows ‘National’, presented by Rolex, welcomed athletes back to the iconic International Ring as competition got underway for an exciting week of world-class sport.
The opening CSI5* competition featured a one-round speed challenge designed by FEI course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER). The track tested athletes over 12 obstacles, with competitors required to complete the 540m track within the 81-second time allowed to avoid penalties.
A total of 56 horse/rider combinations stepped through the Clock Tower to take on the challenge. When the final results were tallied, it was Rowan Willis (AUS) and Cape Town who emerged victorious, delivering the fastest fault-free performance of the day to secure the win.
The victory marks a strong start to the week for Willis and Cape Town as international competition continues this week at Spruce Meadows.
“I’ve got a new team of horses and I always love this show [Spruce Meadows] so it’s really good to be back and great to be in the International Ring,” said Willis on returning to Spruce Meadows.
Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45m
1. Rowan Willis (AUS) & Cape Town
2. John Perez Bohm (COL) & Aztlan
3. Sean Jobin (CAN) & Grande Dame DK
4. Katie Laurie (NZL) & ZF Chacco Rio
5. Gavin Moylan (CAN) & Anton 869
Full results here.
Thursday: A podium sweep for the Irish
The Recon Metal Cup 1.55m served as this week’s key qualifying competition for Saturday’s RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, drawing 46 athletes to the International Ring. Only 12 combinations answered every question asked of the course and advanced to the jump-off.
Daniel Coyle (IRL) also won the Mercer Cup 1.40m riding Nord Face VDL. (Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidle)
Fresh off a victory in the Mercer Cup 1.40m earlier in the day, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle returned to the spotlight looking for a second win — and delivered. Aboard his trusted mare Farrel, Coyle produced a brilliant clear round, stopping the clock in 38.63s to secure top spot on the podium. Making the result even more impressive, Coyle also claimed second place with Urville Z. Both horses are owned by Canadian Ariel Grange. Fellow Irishman Conor Swail rounded out an all-Irish podium in third.
“Spruce Meadows is great. You come here for the four tournaments and you stay in one place, which we don’t get to do much. The horses can grow every week and you can jump a bigger class or a smaller class depending how your week is going, so it’s a really big thing in our schedule,” said Coyle. “We plan to come every year, because we get to know the horses a little better before we go on tour, but not only that, Spruce Meadows is one of the best places in the world.”
Recon Metal Cup 1.55m
1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel
2. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Urville Z
3. Conor Swail (IRL) & Clonterm Obolensky
4. Mark Bluman (COL) & Landon de Nyze
5. Hilary Scott (AUS) & Oaks Milky Way
Full results here.
Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Parise Van Den Dael won the Francis Family Cup 1.50m. (Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko)
The International Ring opened competition earlier in the day with the Francis Family Cup 1.50m, where 25 horse-and-rider combinations were reduced to just four who produced fault-free first rounds to earn a place in the jump-off, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Belgium’s Jos Verlooy proved unbeatable, delivering a clear and speedy jump-off round aboard his mount to stop the clock in 34.84s and secure victory. It was a fast, flawless performance to kick off another exciting day of international competition at the Spruce Meadows ‘National’.
Francis Family Cup 1.50m
1. Jos Verlooy (BEL) & Parise Van Den Dael
2. Conor Swail (IRL) & Kazelli VDL
3. Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA) & Commander HK Z
4. Rowan Willis (AUS) & Handsome
5. Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) & Mon Faut-Tren
Full results here.
Livestreaming here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows Media
More News
