Wednesday: AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m
Canada Day at Spruce Meadows is always a special occasion, and this year’s celebration was no exception. Thousands of fans filled the grounds for the opening day of the ‘North American’ to enjoy a beautiful day featuring world-class international show jumping, a complimentary BBQ courtesy of ATCO, crowd-favourite Corgi races, and a special performance by Canadian country superstar Brett Kissel.
Competition on the International Ring featured the AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m, marking the first opportunity for athletes to test the opening-day track designed by FEI course designer Santiago Varela of Spain. The one-round competition measured featured 12 obstacles, with both the Devil’s Dyke and the open water offered as options on course, providing athletes with an early opportunity to consider strategies ahead of the Sun Life Derby later in the week.
A total of 66 horse-and-rider combinations marched through the iconic Clock Tower, but it was Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Calippo 57, owned by Canadian Ariel Grange, who demonstrated exactly what it takes to come out on top. The pair delivered the only round under the 70-second mark, stopping the clock in an impressive 69.09 seconds to secure victory.
“Canada Day at Spruce Meadows is always enjoyable…..especially when you’re winning!” Coyle remarked following his victory.
Great Britain’s Charlie Jones riding Capitale 6 claimed second place with a time of 70.86 seconds, while Melody Liu (USA) rounded out the podium with Napoleon Van Den Dael. Top Canadian was Carly Campbell-Cooper, who placed 4th with Baretino PS with a clear round in a time of 73.82 seconds.
AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m
1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Calippo 57
2. Charlie Jones (GBR) & Capitale 6
3. Melody Liu (USA) & Napoleon Van Den Dael
4. Carly Campbell-Cooper (CAN) & Baretino PS
5. Zoe Brown (AUS) & Unchained 2
6. Rupert Carl Winkelmann (GER) & Imodo
7. Kyle King (CAN) & Kayenne Z
8. Brian Morton (CAN) & Baton Rouge
9. Jesus Francisco Orantes Haua (MEX) & Qualitissimo PS
10. Mark Bluman (ISR) & Hastella
Full results here.
Lillie Keenan (USA) and Kick On won the Jayman BUILT Cup. (Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko)
Thursday: Jayman BUILT Cup 1.55m
Sunshine welcomed spectators Thursday, continuing the kick-off to a highly-anticipated weekend of top sport. The Jayman BUILT Cup 1.55m headlined competition on the International Ring, serving as the final qualifying opportunity for Saturday’s $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup. A total of 64 entries contested Varela’s challenging 525-metre track in pursuit of the winner’s share of the purse. In the end, 17 horse-and-rider combinations representing 10 nations successfully navigated all the first-round tests, earning their place in the deciding round.
For the first time this season, the American national anthem played across the International Ring as the United States’ Lillie Keenan and Kick On captured victory. The pair delivered a flawless performance in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 40.84 seconds to secure the win.
“I always try to come to Spruce [Meadows], it’s one of my favourite shows,” said Keenan. “I always liked coming here because I feel like my horses left better than when we first arrived. I think jumping on grass is one of the best things you can do for a horse’s fitness and health. They really grow here.”
Mark Bluman (ISR) riding Landon de Nyze, and Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) with Laretto, were the only other pairs to manages a fault-free jump-off effort to place 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Top Canadian was Nicole Walker with her own Panter JVH, placing 8th.
Jayman BUILT Cup 1.55m
1. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Kick On
2. Mark Bluman (ISR) & Landon de Nyze
3. Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) & Laretto
4. Emily Esau Williams (USA) & Cascarado
5. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) & Diaroubet
6. Conor Swail (IRL) & Casturano
7. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) & Heartbeat W
8. Nicole Walker (CAN) & Panter JVH
9. Hilary Scott (AUS) & Oaks Milky Way4
10. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Calippo 57
Full results here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows media
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