'Pan American' Weekend Highlights

Friday: Francisco Pasquel Vega Wins Canadian Utilities Cup

The second member of Mexico’s talented Pasquel family landed a Spruce Meadows Summer Series 5* victory this afternoon, as Francisco Pasquel Vega took top spot in the Canadian Utilities Cup 1.50m.

A man on a horse, tipping his helmet in salute.

Francisco Pasquel Vega (MEX) with Dominant 2000 Z, wiuners of the Canadian Utilities Cup 1.50m. (Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk)

The up-and-comer nailed the jump-off ahead of just three other riders from a starting competition of 65, to take top spot in the qualifier for Sunday’s Pan American Cup 1.60m Grand Prix.

Today’s ‘Pan American’ tournament win echoes that of his uncle, Patricio Pasquel, who won the Grand Prix qualifier in the ‘National’, presented by Rolex, earlier this month. Patricio finished 15th and 47th on two different horses this evening.

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Pasquel Vega, 21, who also beat his cousin Patricio Pasquel Poo, also 21, in today’s contest, said: “My cousin helps me because we have bets on every class.

“I think he owes me something now, so we’re gonna see if he pays or not. I think I might let him off because I won.

“All of us — me, my uncle, my cousin — push each other to be better. We are a family of riders.

“To come here to Spruce Meadows, one of the best venues in the world, to beat all of these talented riders, is pretty special.”

Pasquel Vega will be joined on Sunday by the 39 other top riders from today’s event, including second-place finisher Matthew Sampson (GBR), with stallion Daniel, and Jos Verlooy (BEL), with Nixon Van’t Meulenhof, who came third. Pasquel Vega’s uncle and cousin will both also be competing.

Today’s challenging Canadian Utilities Cup 510m course was designed by Gregory Bodo of France and featured 13 obstacles with 16 efforts.

A woman jumping a bay horse over a fence at Spruce Meadows.

Mckayla Langmeier (USA) takes the day with Pepita Vd Rollebeek. (Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis)

Saturday: Mckayla Langmeier Wins PH&N Cup

A youngster won the biggest daily competition for the second afternoon in a row, as Mckayla Langmeier of the USA took the 1.45m PH&N Cup.

The 24-year-old’s triumph followed yesterday’s win in the Canadian Utilities Cup by 21-year-old Mexican rider Francisco Pasquel Vega, with both surpassing a seasoned field of veterans.

Langmeier, from Connecticut, gave credit for today’s PH&N Cup victory to another relative newcomer, nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood Pepita Vd Rollebeek, who is competing in her first-ever CSI5* events this month at Spruce Meadows.

“I’m hoping she’s going to be my 1.60m horse,” said Langmeier, who also won the 1.45m ATCO Cup earlier this month aboard 11-year-old mare Chadina. “Pepita is a younger horse I’ve been bringing along so it’s really rewarding to have her win such a big class.

“Chadina is much more experienced. She’s a little bit older, and has done more of everything.

“Pepita is much greener, but she is coming along. I always think, with a younger horse, you have to grow with them. The horse they were a month ago may not be the same horse they are now.

“Each day we are learning more about each other.”

Today they emerged from a starting competition of 47 to beat seven other riders in the jump-off on the North American Ring course mapped out by Vancouver Island course designer Peter Holmes.

Next week, Pepita will take a break while Langmeier returns to the rings with Chadina during the final tournament of the Summer Series, the ‘North American,’ which runs from Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7.

Sunday: Matthew Sampson Takes Pan American Cup

Matthew Sampson and Daniel ruled the day for Great Britain, taking the 1.60m Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex.

There were tears of joy ringside as Sampson, from Sheffield, hailed 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Daniel as ‘one of the most incredible horses’ he has ever worked with.

While Sampson has won two 5* competitions at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series so far, both victories have been aboard the more spritely 11-year-old mare One Whisper.

“I feel like it meant so much for Daniel to win,” said Sampson, 34. “He deserves it.

“If I were a horse, I would wish I was him. He’s one of the most incredible horses I’ve ever had.

“I feel like, when we don’t win, it’s always my fault.

“To win today feels amazing. It’s a dream come true.”

Sampson immediately took congratulatory phone calls from his mom, Ruth, and Canadian girlfriend Kara Chad, also a star show jumper, before telling us how much he enjoyed the challenge of the 14-obstacle, 17-effort course set out by French FEI course designer Gregory Bodo, who has been named a co-course designer at the upcoming Olympic Games.

“I’ve jumped quite a few of Gregory’s courses,” added Sampson. “And they’re never easy.”

Sampson faced seven other riders in the jump-off, including Paris-bound Canadian Olympians Amy Millar and Mario Deslauriers, who finished seventh and eight.

But it was Elena Haas (USA), aboard Westphalian gelding Claude, and her fellow American Kyle King, with Odysseus, who ended up sharing the prize pot, coming in second and third, respectively. (Canadian Olympic Team members Amy Millar with Truman and Mario Deslauriers riding Bardolina placed 7th and 8th, respectively.)

Complete results here.