The 35th Anniversary Spruce Meadows “Masters” came to a close today with the $1 million CN International Grand Prix. It was a week of firsts and for Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED). There was no better first than his final placing in the coveted CN International before a record crowd of 76,947.
With so much on the line, course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), wanted to ensure a worthy winner, so he put forward a deserving final test. The first round course was big, featuring 17 jumping efforts, 600 metres of track and a time allowed of 90 seconds. “The first round was more difficult than any first round I’ve ever seen here at the “Masters” Tournament,” said Richard Spooner of the course.
Of the original entry of 31, the twelve best scores moved onto the second round, which featured 14 jumping efforts, over 465 metres of course. Dubbeldam and his 11 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, BMC Van Grunsven Simon finished with just one time fault, but that left the door wide open for the last two, Richard Spooner (USA), and Eric Lamaze (CAN).
Spooner was next into the ring and felt the clock ticking away as he approached the last jump. “I was concerned with the time allowed,” said Spooner. “I knew I was on the edge, I was a bit dishevelled.” That pressure caught Spooner and his 12 year-old Holstein gelding, Cristallo, as they came away with four faults on the final fence.
Last in was Canada’s own Olympic Gold Medalist and 2007 CN International Champion, Eric Lamaze. It was at fence 4A that all came apart for Lamaze and his 14 year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, Hickstead. Lamaze lost his stirrup and his great stallion refused. The penalty cost Lamaze the win, and a possible $785,000 in prize money, but with composure the pair managed to finish good enough for third place. “A third place in this event is still a very good thing,” said Lamaze after the competition.
It was a day to celebrate for Dubbeldam who had his one time fault turn into a first place in the $1 million CN International Grand Prix. “All week I thought the courses here were very big, until today when I realized that this course was even bigger,” said Dubbledam. That big course was a perfect fit for him and his mount. “I am unbelievably proud of my horse for jumping these jumps for me,” said Dubbledam after his win.
A former Olympic and Aachen Grand Prix Champion, Dubbledam feels like the triple is now complete with a win in the $1 million CN International Grand Prix. He can also credit course designer Leopoldo Palacios who designed today’s and the Olympic course on which Dubbledam has been champion. “I want to congratulate the riders, they did fantastic,” commented the famed course designer after the competition.
CN International Grand Prix top 10
1. Jeroen Dubbledam – NED – BMC Van Grunsven Simon
2. Richard Spooner – USA – Cristallo
3. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Hickstead
4. Gerco Schroder – NED – Eurocommerce New Orleans
5. Robert Smith – GBR – Talan
6. Philip Spivey – GBR – Romanov II
7. Rich Fellers – USA – Flexible
8. Karl Cook – USA – Uno De Laubry
9. Trevor Breen – IRL – Adventure De Kannan
10. Pius Schwizer – SUI – Ulysse X
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