Wellington, Florida-The Canadian Show Jumping Team, comprised of Mac Cone of King City, ON, Karen Cudmore of Victoria, BC, Mario Deslauriers of Bromont, QC, and Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, finished second in the $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup, Presented by CN, at the CN OPEN CSIO 5* in Wellington, FL, last night.
The only annual team competition held on American soil, the 2008 edition of the Nations’ Cup had a record nine teams competing-Argentina, Canada, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Venezuela and the United States. Canada was the defending champion, having won in both 2006 and 2007.
At the end of the first round, counting the best three scores from each team, the United States was in the early lead with a score of one fault while Ireland was in second position with five faults. Mexico was in third position with 10 faults, and Great Britain had 13 faults, which was good for fourth spot. In fifth, with a total of 14, was Venezuela. Canada was sitting in sixth with a score of 16, which included Deslauriers’ score of four faults, Cone’s 12 fault ride and Lamaze’s clean performance. Cudmore, who had been eliminated for two refusals with Southern Pride, provided the drop score. New Zealand and France tied for seventh position with 29 faults apiece while Argentina had 47 faults. Only the top six teams return for the second round.
Canada mounted a comeback, steadily climbing up the standings when Deslauriers was clear riding Paradigm, his 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, and Cone posted a clear round riding Ole, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Sara Houston and Larry Evoy.
Cudmore again provided the drop score, but when Lamaze jumped his second clear round of the evening with Torrey Pines and Ashland Stable’s Hickstead, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, he helped Canada secure its second place finish.
“We had a great comeback in the second round,” noted Terrance ‘Torchy’ Millar, chef d’équipe of the Canadian Team. “Unfortunately, Karen had a poor night, but that is the way the sport goes. Mac’s horse showed a bit of inexperience in the first round, but really did well in the second. Mario and Eric did what we hoped they would do, and I am very pleased that the team really turned it around this evening.”
The United States won the competition with a total of nine faults. Their victory was achieved without sending their anchor rider, McLain Ward, in for his second round, as their lead was untouchable.
Mexico finished in third with a score of 24 faults, Ireland finished in fourth with a final score of 30 faults and Great Britain placed fifth with a total of 35 faults. Venezuela rounded out the top six with a score of 59.
The $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup, Presented by CN, was dedicated in memory of Lynn Millar, wife of eight-time Olympian Ian Millar. Lynn, a life-long friend and supporter of the Canadian Show Jumping Team, died on March 6, 2008.
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