Spruce Meadows National Update

Calgary, AB – Competing against your opponents is a given, but on Thursday’s 1.50 metre Prairie Mines & Royalty Ltd. Cup, few were up to the challenge posed by the course. The 39 entries battled hard over the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) designed course, but it was the course battled back.

While the time allowed, 80 seconds, cost some, it was the 15 jumping efforts, spread over the Spruce Meadows International Ring that cost nearly everyone else. Only two posted clear round under the time allowed, Norman Dello Joio (USA) and Mario Deslauriers (CAN).

The pair faced off in the jump-off, each hoping for their chance to claim victory in this tough competition. Dello Joio was the first to jump-off. Riding his 12 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding KLM Jimmy, the pair incurred 8 jumping faults, clearing the path for a Deslauriers win.

With his 15 year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Paradigm, Deslauriers coasted to a four fault round and his second victory of the week. “He’s perfect, good, healthy and ready for Derby Day, Sunday,” said Deslauriers looking forward to the weekend ahead.

Pairie Mines & Royalty Ltd. Cup top 10 –

1. Mario Deslauriers – CAN – Paradigm

2. Norman Dello Joio – USA – KLM Jimmy

3. Nicolas Pizarro – MEX – Crossing Jordan

4. Leslie Howard – USA – Glove Varnel

5. Beezie Madden – USA- Onlight

6. Rich Fellers – USA – Kilkenny Rindo

7. Alexa Weeks – USA – Madison

8. Federico Fernandez – MEX – Tintero

9. Jaclyn Duff – CAN – Pan Tau 55

10. Mandy Porter – USA – Tristan

After a tough 1.50 metre competition, horse/rider combinations returned to the ring for the Spectra Energy Cup. The 33 entries all faced another tough Anthony D’Ambrosio designed course that featured 15 jumping efforts and a time allowed of 81 seconds.

Again, only two were up to the task of the difficult course, Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze and his Olympic team mate Jill Henselwood, the reigning Pan American Champion. Lamaze left a bit up to fate when he put his jump-off plan into action. “Jill is a great rider but Black Ice isn’t her number one horse. So, I was very conservative with Hickstead, hoping Jill would have a rail down.”

While it was a gamble to hold Hickstead back, it looked to be a calculated one after Henselwood took a rail on the second jump. Lamaze and Hickstead proved once again why they are the pair to beat.

Next on the plate for the pair is Saturday’s CN Reliability Grand Prix, where Lamaze will look to defend his title.

Spectra Energy Cup top 10 –

1. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Hickstead

2. Jill Henselwood – CAN – Black Ice

3. Rodrigo Pessoa – BRA – Rufus

4. Rich Fellers – USA – Flexible

5. Henri Kovacs – HUN – Sassicaia II

6. Beezie Madden – USA – Crème Brule

7. Beezie Madden – USA – Judgement

8. Jonathan Millar – CAN – Contino 14

9. John Anderson – CAN – Terrific

10. Antonio Maurer – MEX – As Hyo Hugo

Firday’s feature competition, the $40,000 ATCO Midstream Challenge, is set to begin at 5:30 pm in the Spruce Meadows International Ring, followed by the 1.45 metre RBC Capital Markets Cup.