Spruce Meadows Canada One - Sunday

It was a test course designer Anthony D’Amabrosio (USA) had been preparing the field for all week. There were 17 jumping efforts that had to be completed clear in under 83 seconds. The $65,000 ESSO Challenge was going to demand a flawless ride to clear its difficult course.

While the horse/rider combinations may have been preparing for this test all week many did not seem prepared. Unexpected faults piled up early and often and it seemed it would stay that way. American Olympic Team Gold Medalist Will Simpson looked good early, clearing the bicycle, Mount Rushmore and the water that had been causing so many trouble. It didn’t last as he was eliminated with two refusals.

Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze rode in on Undercontract and jumps out shortly after, voluntarily retiring. The course wasn’t getting any easier as the riders got better.

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It was going to take a specialist to master the course. In rode Beezie Madden (USA) and her specialist, Judgement. The 18 year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion rides particularly well at Spruce Meadows and even better on Meadows on the Green.

Today was no different for Madden and her stallion, they were the first clear of the ESSO Challenge Grand Prix. Now the question was, would there be a jump-off? As 18 year-old Spruce Meadows rookie Henri Kovacs (HUN) sat alone in second place with one time fault. Answering the question was Canadian Mario Deslauriers and his gelding Urico who finished their round clear.

Making it a three way jump-off was Mexico’s Jaime Azcarraga and his 12 year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, Presley Boy.

The jump-off course was 8 jumping efforts but being able to clear wouldn’t seem to be a problem with this talented trio, it would come down to speed.

Madden was the first in the ring. Doing what she does so well she rode Judgement around at a perfect pace, stopping the clock at 40.36 seconds. It was a time to beat that would be tough to follow.

Deslauriers and Urico tried to beat that time and they stretched over the final fence. They crossed the finish line in 41.21 seconds. It was too slow to win.

If there was a pair who could give Madden and Judgement a run for their money it was Azcarraga and Presley Boy. Azcarraga took an inside turn at the half way point and rode hard over the last fences. They pressed but it wasn’t hard enough, finishing in 42.02 seconds and third place.

Madden is riding Judgement for the last time at Spruce Meadows this summer, a win in his retirement tour is a bonus for Madden. But for Judgement it is what he does best, “He hasn’t jumped a fence since the “National” Derby,” said Madden after her win. “He just knows what he’s doing when he gets in there,” added the ESSO Challege winner.

ESSO Challenge Grand Prix top 10

1-         Beezie Madden         USA               Judgement

2-         Mario Deslauriers     CAN                Urico

3-         Jaime Azcarraga       MEX               Presley Boy

4-         Henri Kovacs            HUN               Sassicaia II

5-         Jill Henselwood         CAN               Black Ice

6-         Rich Fellers              USA                Flexible

7-         Ian Millar                 CAN               Redefin

8-         Yann Candele          CAN                Pitareusa

9-         Tamie Phillips           CAN               Lucas

10-       Pablo Barrios            VEN               Sinatra

Next up at Spruce Meadows is the $1 million “North American” Tournament, which begins on Wednesday July 1. It will be the final tournament of the 2009 Spruce Meadows Summer Series.