It is clear that number one FEI Rolex World Ranking rider, Eric Lamaze (CAN), and his 15 year old stallion Hickstead like the International Ring at Spruce Meadows. They experienced great success during the Spruce Meadows Summer Tour and that success continued on the first day of the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament.
In the Finning Welcome, eight riders representing six nations- Canada, France, Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands-, moved forward to the jump-off over the Leopaldo Palacios (VEN) designed course. Eric Lamaze and Hickstead were second to compete in the jump-off and put down a blistering pace that could not be matched. “This was a good start for Hickstead,” Eric smiled. “He just got off the plane from Europe and I am very pleased with how he feels. We both have a bit of jet lag but that didn’t seem to matter.”
Di Lampard, Chef d’Equipe of the British team remarked that this “Was a great day of sport” in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows.
The International Division kicked off with Richard Spooner (USA) jumping to victory in the 49 entry Akita Drilling Cup. “ I love this horse, I love this venue and I love it when a plan comes together,” said Spooner after his victory in a 15 horse jump off aboard Billy Bianca.
With unprecedented sunshine and warmth predicted for the week one can expect great crowds and exceptional sport. Sport continues in the International Ring on Thursday with the ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup and the CANA Cup
For a complete tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at http://www.sprucemeadows.com/.
Akita Drilling Cup – Top10
1-Richard Spooner USA Billy Bianca
2-Beezie Madden USA Coral Reef Via Volo
3-Tiffany Foster CAN Victor
4-Lauren Hough USA Blue Angel
5-Jaime Guerra MEX Utopias
6-Rik Hemeryck BEL Challenge VD Begijnakker
7-Andreas Kreuzer GER Chacco Blue
8-Wout Jan Van Der Schans NED P Pilot
9-Caitlin Ziegler USA Valencia
10-Jonathan Asselin CAN Makavoy
Finning Welcome – Top 10
1-Eric Lamaze CAN Hickstead
2-Roger-Yves Bost FRA Ideal De La Loge
3-Peter Charles GBR Murkas Vindicat W
4-Ludo Philippaerts BEL Kassini Jac
5-Marc Dilasser FRA Obiwan De Piliore
6-Jennifer Crooks IRL SF Uryadi
7-Stephanie Van Den Brink NED Verdi
8-Piet Raymakers NED Van Schijndel’s Rascin
9-Jerome Hurel FRA OHM De Ponthual
10-Wassim Anzarouti SYR Cyber Boy