Spruce Meadows National Tournament Day 2

Calgary, AB – The second night of the Spruce Meadows “National” Tournament was just as good as the first for Canada’s Eric Lamaze. Even in the rain the Olympic champ shone with his mare Take Off.

The course for the Prairie Mines & Royalty Cup was 490 metres in length with 15 jumping efforts and a time allowed of 74 seconds. With 7 moving onto the jump-off out of the original field of 41 it was clear that course designer Werner Deeg (GER), put together a test that would demand a worthy champion.

The jump-off was filled with champions, seeing Canadian superstar Ian Millar, Olympic Team Gold Medalist Will Simpson (USA), and former World Cup and Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), all joining the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze.

Lamaze was first to go with the 10 year-old Dutch Warmblood, Take Off. The pair rode the 8 effort jump-off quickly and with determination. They came across the finish line in a time of 41.80 seconds. “We were the first to go and knew what to do,” said Lamaze.

With Lamaze’s closest competitor, Will Simpson, riding his 11 year-old gelding, Archie Bunker, finished in 43.90 second, over 2 seconds slower than Lamaze. “The course had big lines with big gallops that we used to our advantage,” explained Lamaze on how he was able to cut time.

Cutting that time gave Lamaze and Take Off their second win of the week. “This is great for me, I’m really happy,” added the champion of the Prairie Mines & Royalty Cup.

Prairie Mines & Royalty top 10:

1. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Take Off

2. Will Simpson – USA – Archie Bunker

3. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Atlete Van T Heike

4. Rodrigo Pessoa – BRA – Champ 163

5. Ian Millar – CAN – Star Power

6. Beth Underhill – CAN – Top Gun

7. Yann Candele – CAN – Pitareusa

8. Jennifer Crooks – IRL – SF Uryadi

9. Manuel Senderos – MEX – Calasko Z

10. Keean White – CAN – Chanel

The 1.60 m Spectra Energy Cup featured 15 jumping efforts over a track of 520 metres. It would take speed, and a big stride to win this competition, something Ashlee Bond (USA) and Caddett 7 are more than capable of.

With four moving onto the jump-off including the Olympic Champs, Eric Lamaze and Hickstead, it would be no easy task winning the Spectra Energy Cup. The pair put down a speedy time of 46.54 seconds, but Lamaze knew he left room for improvement. “Well I did 7 to the last line and it could be a 6,” said Lamaze. “Hickstead has a lot of speed but not a big stride, so I knew I left for sure something there,” added Lamaze.

With the fearless Bond behind him that was more than enough room for the American to squeak by. “I knew with who was going in the jump-off I was going to have to run,” said Bond. And run she did, coming across the finish line in 45.38 seconds.

“I’m a little ecstatic right now, I’ve never done a 1.60 metre in the summer and this was quite the field,” said Bond after her win in the Spectra Energy Cup. The 25 year-old American was thrilled to share this win with her 13 year-old Holstein gelding, Cadett 7. “He’s blossomed into a real partner,” said Bond. “He’s such a winner and I’m super blessed to have a horse like him,” added the champion of the Spectra Energy Cup.

Spectra Energy top 10 –

1. Ashlee Bond – USA – Cadett 7

2. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Hickstead

3. Rodrigo Pessoa – BRA – HH Rebozo

4. Pablo Barrios – VEN – G&C Sinatra

5. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Ronaldo

6. Keean White – CAN – Celena Z

7. Katie Mcvean – NZL – Delphi

8. Jill Henselwood – CAN – Bottom Line

9. Enrique Gonzalez – MEX – Frida

10. Ashlee Bond – USA – Chivas

The 35th Anniversary season continues tomorrow with International Ring competition beginning at 4:15 with the ATCO Midstream Challenge, and followed by the RBC Capital Markets Winning Round. After a couple of wet days the clouds look to be clearing for competition tomorrow.

Post competition clips can be found at www.sprucemeadows.com.