The Canadian team comprised of Jonathan Asselin of Calgary, AB riding Showgirl, Tiffany Foster, of Schomberg, ON riding Verdi III, Mac Cone of King City, ON riding  Amor Van De Rostal, and Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON riding Powerplay,  finished sixth in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final on a combined score of 17 faults. The team was supported by Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin, Team Manager, Karen Hendry-Ouellette, Team Veterinarian Dr. Sylvie Surprenant and Stable Manager, Darren Roberts.

Clear Rounds at a Premium in Final

The atmosphere was abuzz at the Real Club de Polo for this momentous final. Throngs of spectators adorned the sidelines of the arena to watch the world’s best go head to head in this gripping conclusion. Clear rounds were at a premium over the testing course which Canadian team member Yann Candele of Caledon ON called “a true championship course”. Canada’s Asselin incurred 16 jumping faults and originally three on the clock, but following several rounds, the time allowed was adjusted to 81 seconds and Asselin’s score was adjusted to 17 faults. Foster showed exceptional talent, however, a difficult line between the water jump and a 1.65m plank vertical fell to the great chagrin of the Canadian supporters. Foster commented, “The plank was very difficult; the distance was really on the half stride so you had to pick which one you wanted to do then hope.”

Cone and Amor van de Rostal, had the same fence as Foster, proving how delicate the plank was. The Sagrada Familia oxer, the largest on course, also dropped in addition to one other and a time fault to give them a score of 13. It was anchor rider, Lamaze who would improve the fate of the Canadian team with an exceptional clear on Powerplay. Lamaze was one of only four riders to achieve a clear round in today’s event, and was one of two to achieve a clear round in both Friday’s round and today’s Final. He will share in the 200,000 Euro prize fund with Great Britain’s Scott Brash.

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