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.
For a complete tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at http://www.sprucemeadows.com/.
Pepsi Challenge – Top 10
1. Richard Spooner, USA, Pariska 2
2. Mario Deslauriers, USA, Whistler
3. Kent Farrington, USA, Valhalla
4. Rich Fellers, USA, McGuinness
5. Shane Sweetnam, IRL, Rolette
6. Mark Armstrong, GBR, Thesaura
7. Hector Caro Elenes, MEX, Bourdy R
8. Brian Morton, CAN, Spitfire
9. Alec Lawler, USA, Glen Devon
10. Ljubov Kochetova, RUS, Santhage
Lafarge Cup – Top 10
1. Richard Spooner, USA, Apache
2. McLain Ward, USA, Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve
3. Leslie Howard, USA, Lennox Lewis 2
4. Michael Whitaker, GBR, Viking
5. Mario Deslauriers, USA, Vicomte D
6. Eric Lamaze, CAN, Sidoline Van De Centaur
7. Eric Lamaze, CAN, Coriana Van Klapscheut
8. Sarah Johnstone, CAN, Starlet
9. Eduardo Menezes, BRA, Audis Reflection
10. Amy Millar, CAN, Costa Rica Z
More from Horse Sport:
