Spruce Meadows North American CSI5* July 4th Roundup

The Spruce Meadows North American CSI5*, presented by Rolex is the final tournament in the 2018 Summer Series. There are over 1,000 horses on the grounds and over 250 of them are international level horses looking to once again step through the clock tower into the Spruce Meadows International Ring.

The day started with 84 horse/rider combinations in the first round of the Kubota Cup (1.50m) on the International Ring. Only eleven jumped a clear first round on FEI course designer Santiago Valara’s (ESP) 500-meter track and proceeded to the jump-off. Molly Ashe (USA) laid down a quick jump-off time 41.39s that even fan favourite Eric Lamaze (CAN) could not touch. “I’ve had her (D’Arnita) since she was 7 and she’s a really special horse. She rose to the occasion and here we are,” said Ashe.

The ATCO Energy Cup (1.55m) was the second competition of the day and the first chance for riders to earn points in order to qualify for the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup Grand Prix on Saturday. Forty-four horse/rider combinations started the competition in hopes of making it to the winner’s circle. Fifteen combinations qualified for the jump-off and with Eric Lamaze (CAN) advancing two horses to the jump-off, you had to be fast.

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Lamaze posted a quick clear time of 39.80s with Chacco Kid, but Kent Farrington (USA) was determined to make it two wins for the USA this Fourth of July. It was Farrington’s mount Creedance’s first time in the International Ring and he was ready to step up to the plate. The duo were fast and posted a clear round with a quick time of 38.84s. “It’s like being at a different venue, your horses get a chance to build a lot of experience,” said Farrington on moving from the Meadows on the Green to the International Ring.