It was a rare result tonight as Leslie Howard (USA) and Daniel Coyle (IRL) are both crowned Champions in the Canadian Utilities Cup.

Broken down to the hundredths of a second meant that both Howard and Coyle would lead the victory gallop in the 1.55m competition arriving simultaneously at 36.44 seconds. It was a great day of sport for fans, athletes and sponsors alike to not only see such a battle between the 51 horse/rider combinations in their attempt to qualify through an incredibly tough first round of competition for a chance at the jump off. But to also see Spruce Meadows veteran, the amazing Leslie Howard, arrive at a dead-even tie against the 23-year-old Daniel Coyle.

It was clear for the spectators watching that Howard found her edge at the front half of the jump off round, finding the most efficient way around the winding and delicate track set by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). A very pleased Howard boasted over her mare, Donna Speciale, and the round โ€œI thought she was brilliant going from 1,2,3ab,4 โ€“ I think at that Intermediate time we were ahead โ€“ She was amazing.โ€ Howard continued โ€œI took a wider more cautious approach to the Liverpool, I got a little scared because she can sometimes touch the front rail of the Liverpool โ€“ and then I knew I was probably behind, so I just decided to do a โ€˜Hail Maryโ€™ to the last โ€“ and again she was amazing.โ€

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