The Canadian team of Elizabeth Bates and Heartbeat, Kara Chad and Play It Loud Z, Lea Rucker and Macarena 42 and Kyle Timm and Casino Calvin placed second of 13 teams in the Longines EEF CSIO3* Nations Cup Peelbergen on Friday, May 17 in Kronenberg, NED. With a score of zero after two rounds, the squad advanced to a jump off where Canada finished second, just narrowly behind the home team of The Netherlands, edging Ireland into third spot.

“I’m so very proud of this team!” said chef d’équipe Gail Greenough. “In our team meeting on Wednesday, I said that my expectations were high and they absolutely rose to them beautifully.”

A woman taking a selfie with horses and riders behind.Greenough shared each team member’s performances with pride: “The poise of Lea [Rucker] in her first Nations Cup was outstanding; Liz [Bates] with her double clear was a showcase of great jumping ability; Kara [Chad] with a switch to a nine-year-old horse at the last minute showed spectacular grit and determination and she really added value to the team. In cases like this sometimes life gives you unexpected gifts and this absolutely will launch them into a nice summer series together; and Kyle [Timm] just got a little unlucky in the jump-off.

Advertisement