First International Ring Win for Local Rider Eric Krawitt
The ATB Cup was the final competition of the 2022 Spruce Meadows National, presented by Rolex. FEI course designer Anthony d’Ambrosio set out a track to test the athletes and three answered the call to qualify for the jump-off – Canadians Eric Krawitt ( Cactus du Cosniere) and Mario Deslauriers (Emerson), plus Jose Antonio Chedruai of Mexico with Haraminka P. Following a pause in the competition to allow some severe weather to pass and a brief but severe downpour, Chedraui elected to save his horse for another day and it was down to two.
Delauriers and Emerson laid down a safe clear ride in a time of 44.12 seconds, putting the pressure on Krawitt to be fast and clear. At just seventeen years of age, Krawitt was up for the challenge, navigating the jump-off like a seasoned pro, clear in a time of 41.53 seconds to claim the victory.
The National tournament marked Krawitt’s first 5* event. “Putting in some good rounds earlier this week gave me a lot of confidence. It’s very special win,” he said.
Jordan Coyle and Picador Win the ATCO CSI2* Grand Prix
The ATCO CSI2* Grand Prix was the first event on the International Ring for the final day of the National. The top 35 riders from competitions earlier in the week qualified to compete in the 2* Grand Prix finale. Eleven horse/rider combinations passed all the tests of the first round set out by d’Ambrosio and came back for jump-off.
Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Picador were the first in the jump-off and laid down an incredibly fast time of 43.98 seconds for the win. Saturday’s RBC Grand Prix winner, Matthew Sampson (GBR) finished in second place riding Ebolensky. Canadian Ben Asselin and The Freshman were third.
A Win for Nicole Walker in the Trimac Cup
The North American Ring was a busy place during the final day of the National, where over 100 rounds were ridden between the Trimac Cup and the Friends of the Meadows Cup.
First up in the Trimac Cup, 10 horse-and-rider combinations earned a berth in the jump-off. Canada’s Nicole Walker aboard Atout des Trambles posted the fastest clear round with a time 43.45 to clinch the win.
The Friends of the Meadows Cup featured 13 in the jump off. Even though some wet weather rolled in just as Matthew Sampson (GBR) was starting his round, but it made no difference to his mount Evora BJX; the pair posed a time of 39.55 seconds that could not be caught.
More information and results here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows Media