The Pepsi Challenge 1.45 m led off competitions in the International Ring on Friday of the North American Tournament. Twenty, of the 49 entered, moved forward to the jump-off of the Werner Deeg (GER) designed course. In a truly international field, with entries representing 9 nations, it was Richard Spooner (USA) aboard the 14 year-old Dutch mare, Pariska, who proved to be unbeatable with a double clear and almost a full second in hand ahead of his closest competitor Mario Deslauriers and Whistler, a 9 year-old Dutch warmlblood gelding.
Later in the evening, Spooner cemented victory in the Lafarge Cup 1.50 m Final Four. Spooner and Apache, a 12 year old bay gelding, along with 7 others qualified for round 2. The course, designed by Deeg, proved to suit Apache and Spooner’s need for speed as they laid down a clear round in an unbeatable time of 44.02. He was 2 tenths of a second faster than McLain Ward of the USA and his Dutch Warmblood gelding, Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve.
Competitions will begin in the International Ring on Saturday at 11:00am where the riders will be vying for supremacy in the $80,000 TD Cup 1.50m and followed by the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth Cup. Large crowds are expected with the attendance of His Excellency, the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston and the Right Honourable, Stephen Harper.