The wet weather that Mother Nature brought to Spruce Meadows for day two of the ‘North American’ CSI5* tournament presented by Rolex did not prevent the riders from competing in the Ashcor Technologies Cup (1.55m) on the International Ring.
Seventy-six horse/rider combinations tried to jump a clear round over 13 obstacles (16 efforts) in a time allowed of 82 seconds. Fourteen horse/rider combinations rose to the occasion and advanced to the jump off. Canadian, fan favourite Eric Lamaze (CAN) brought forward both Fine Lady 5 and Chacco Kid. Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 laid down a fast time, but a costly rail would leave them finishing in tenth. Chacco Kid delivered a clear round in a time of 44.47s which seemed unbeatable.
The last pair into the International Ring for the jump off was Patricio Pasquel (MEX) and Babel. Pasquel knew what needed to be done and Babel didn’t let up. They crossed the finish line clear in a time of 43.77s to take a well deserved victory.
“He (Babel) has jumped at Spruce Meadows since he was 6 years old. He has jumped in hail, rain, snow – in every ring. He loves it here (Spruce Meadows). – Patricio Pasquel (MEX) on his horse Babel.
Dermott Lennon (IRL) wins the 2019 Kubota Cup (1.50m)
Despite the rain continuing on and off throughout the day, 53 horses passed under the clock tower and into the International Ring to take on the course designed by FEI Course Designer Santiago Varela (ESP) for the 2019 Kubota Cup (1.50m). It was a one round competition where riders did what they could to lay down a clear ride as quickly as possible.
Only thirteen riders produced clear rounds with Australian rider Rowan Willis atop the leader board with a clear round and time of 62.07s. It did not last long as Irishman Dermott Lennon aboard MJM Pursuit made it look easy with a clear ride and time of 61.40s to top the leader board.
“I’m delighted with MJM (Pursuit), she went super today. She was a bit unlucky yesterday and pulled a shoe and had a couple down. Today with the weather you just had to give them (the horses) time get back and jump the rails, but other than that the footing was fine” – Dermott Lennon (IRL) on his horse and how he rode in the wet weather.
Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) & Chapilot win the 2019 Bantrel Cup
The rainy weather started to let up for the final competition of day two of the ‘North American’ Tournament, presented by Rolex. The Bantrel Cup (1.45m) on the International Ring showcased nineteen horse/rider combinations representing eight countries.
Brazil’s Rodrigo Lambre had been having a great summer series with multiple top ten placings, but he had yet to find his way to the winner’s circle. Aboard the 12 year-old Hanoverian gelding Chapilot, Lambre laid down a lightning fast time of 58.59s that could not be caught and claimed victory in the final competition of the day.
“As always it’s amazing to win here with this level of riders and I was a bit concerned with the weather but I just went faster. I know my horse (Chapilot) well, he’s won many times here (in the past) and I know I can go with him) – Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) on his ride in the Bantrel Cup (1.45m)
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