Day four of FEI international competition at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” began with the Suncor Energy Winning Round. Riders had to qualify in competitions earlier in the week in order to compete in this competition.
Even though 11 riders jumped clear in the first round of the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course, only the top 8 returned for the second, winning round.
Rising star Caitlin Zeigler put in a strong ride and was sitting in first place when the final rider walked onto the course. Eric Lamaze, her trainer and mentor was that final rider. Eric showed his student no mercy when he and Coriana van Klapscheut attacked the course and ran away with the $24,000 win. Ziegler and Belgian warm blood mare, Valencia, picked up second place.
The record crowd of over 79,000 fans was treated to a spectacular day of competition with the BMO Nations’ Cup. 10 teams competed for National supremacy and bragging rights over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Six teams moved forward to the second round, Switzerland, Netherlands, Great Britain, Canada, France and Mexico.
Team France came into the Nation’s Cup carrying a lot pressure. They dropped a horse from the team before leaving Europe, so with a team of three, they kept their expectations realistic. “The pressure was great from the start with a team of three.” stated Thierry Pomel, the French Chef d’Equipe. “All of the riders on our team are good riders with very good horses. Jerome Hurel and Marc Dilasser have experience and of course, there is “Bosty”. He smiled referring to Roger-Yves Bost. “Bosty is always the same.” Team France came away with the gold medal and Team Canada the silver.
For a complete tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at www.sprucemeadows.com.
Suncor Energy Winning Round – Top 10
1-Eric Lamaze CAN Coriana Van Klapscheut
2-Caitlin Ziegler USA Valencia
3-Richard Spooner USA Billy Bianca
4-Harrie Smolders NED Exquis Walnut de Muze
5-Gert Jan Bruggink NED MCB Ulke
6-Niels Bruynseels BEL Conisha Van De Helle
7-Stephanie Van Den Brink NED Wapper
8-Tiffany Foster CAN Victor
9-Andreas Kreuzer GER Jumex Sport Atlantus
10-Kirsten Coe USA Baronez
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