It has been a season to remember to date for Canada’s Mario Deslauriers. He has been winning on every horse he brings into the ring, tonight was no different as he faced the International Ring for the Pengrowth Cup on his gelding Paradigm.
The first round did not phase the veteran duo as they made their way around the 15 jumping effort, Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed course with ease. The same could not be said for most of the night’s 55 entries who looked to master the difficult course.
Only four others joined Deslauriers in the jump-off, Kent Farrington (USA), Leslie Howard (USA), Ian Millar (CAN) and James Benedetto (USA).
It was Deslauriers who had the skill, speed and maybe a bit of luck as he came around the jump-off course in the quickest time. It took him 30.99 seconds to win the Pengrowth Cup as he continues to dominate at Spruce Meadows this summer.
“We’re doing great, we’re on a roll,” said Deslauriers after his win. “It’s great to have some nice horses to mix up a little and keep them fresh. When you start riding a good horse you ride better, you’re more relaxed, it’s all about confidence,” added tonight’s winner.
Pengrowth Cup top 10
1- Mario Deslauriers CAN Paradigm
2- Kent Farrington USA Uceko
3- Leslie Howard USA Lennox Lewis 2
4- Ian Millar CAN Redefin
5- James Benedetto USA Trulli
6- Leslie Howard USA Raimond W
7- Andrea Strain CAN Luigi
8- Rodrigo Pessoa BRA Cazino
9- Sean Crooks USA Cincinatti La Silla
10- Beezie Madden USA Onlight
The thunder showers that were held off for this evening’s D-Line Construction Cup. The 1.60 metre competition was fought out over 15 jumping efforts that had to be completed in under 78 seconds. Course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed a test that pushed the 24 entries to prove their worth before making it into the jump-off round.
It was three of the best in the sport who were able to complete the course without fault. Moving onto the jump-off were Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze, Pablo Barios (VEN) and Rich Fellers (USA).
Fellers rode into the ring first with Flexible his 13 year-old Irish bred stallion. They took on the course with speed, they were looking to put together an unbeatable time. It was going to be a tough time to beat, 39.35 seconds.
Olympian Pablo Barrios was next, riding his Olympic mount Sinatra. Barrios tried to beat Fellers’ fast time but the speed cost him two rails as he finished the round with 8 faults.
If anyone could beat Fellers it would be Eric Lamaze and Hickstead. The pair are always competitive but they have been having a tough time in the jump-off this Summer Series. “The jump-off courses have not been going my way this summer,” said Lamaze.
Today the jump-off did go his way, in spite two light rubs Lamaze and Hickstead finished over a second ahead of Fellers with a time of 38.14 seconds. “I couldn’t make up my mind if Rich was beatable or not,” said Lamaze after his win. He didn’t have to make up his mind as his actions spoke for him, winning the D-Line Construction Cup.
D-Line Construction Cup top 10
1- Eric Lamaze CAN Hickstead
2- Rich Fellers USA Flexible
3- Pablo Barrios VEN Sinatra
4- Jenna Thompson CAN Zeke
5- Guy Thomas NZL Carino
6- Beezie Madden USA Authentic
7- Rodrigo Pessoa BRA Rufus
8- Jill Henselwood CAN Black Ice
9- Beezie Madden CAN Crème Brule
10- Mario Deslauriers CAN Ardeche Van De Zelm
Tomorrow’s feature competitions, the $50,000 Lafarge Cup will begin at 7:00 pm in the Spruce Meadows International Ring.
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