Spruce Meadows Pan American Highlights

Thursday: Jim Ifko (CAN) aboard Un Diamant des Forets Jump to Victory

The first competition on the International Ring to start the Pan American tournament, presented by Rolex, was the Friends of the Meadows Jumper 1.50m. Over 50 entries contested the course set by FEI course designer Peter Grant (CAN). Sixteen entries were fault-free, but it was Albertan Jim Ifko riding Un Diamant des Forets was the quickest of them all, with a lightning fast time of 58.77 seconds putting them into first place ahead of Katie Laurie of Australia.

Friday: Jacqueline Steffens Wins Big on Canada Day

Thousands of show jumping fans flocked to the International Ring to watch the Duncan Ross Cup on Canada Day at Spruce Meadows. The 33 entries representing seven countries took on Grant’s track with five competitors representing Canada, the United States and Mexico coming back for the jump off, including Canadian riders Mario Deslauriers with Emerson and Jacqueline Steffens aboard Freaky. Even though 2022 marks her first time competing at Spruce Meadows, Steffens took to the International Ring like a veteran. Aboard her 12-year-old bay gelding, the pair laid down the fastest clear round with a jump-off time of 41.27 seconds.

“It was a really special feeling, we’ve been knocking at the door in a couple classes and so to jump double clear and my horse felt amazing ‒ it was really special,” said a delighted Steffens.

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Kent Farrington (USA) and Orafina jumping one of the former Tokyo Olympics fences. (Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk)

Saturday: Kent Farrington Takes Canadian Utilities with Orafina

The Canadian Utilities 1.50m was the feature competition on Saturday of the Pan American. Of 40 horse/rider combinations, just six made it through round one with no faults and proceeded to the jump-off, where Kent Farrington (USA) aboard Orafina proved to be in top form, laying down the fastest clear round in a time of 44.61 seconds.

“She’s a very, very careful horse. It’s why I move around between the levels here [at Spruce Meadows] and let her experience the big jumps. Being here gives her a lot of growth,” said Farrington on bringing horses to the iconic Calgary venue to develop them.

Sunday: Giavanna Rinaldi Wins Pan American Grand Prix

Giavanna Rinaldi and Cosmona won the Pan American Grand Prix. (© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk)

The Pan American Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, was the final competition to wrap up another exciting week of show jumping at Spruce Meadows. Thirty competitors took on the track set up by Peter Grant. It was a demanding course at every turn, but two clears would come forward for the jump off: Jose Antonio Chedraui (MEX) aboard Mighty Mouse and Giavanna Rinaldi (USA) aboard Cosmona. Chedraui put the pressure on by posting a clear round with a time of 51.13 seconds. Despite this being her first 5* grand prix, Rinaldi handled the pressure like a pro, taking chances and galloping across the finish line clear in a faster time of 46.23 to take the win.

“I’ve always dreamt of coming to this show [Spruce Meadows]; it’s been a big dream of mine. I couldn’t be prouder of my horse and the team behind us ‒ it is a dream come true,” said Rinaldi after the victory. She and Cosmona have been together since September 2021.

Kent Farrington and Chato Lou Win West Canadian CSI2* Grand Prix

Thirty-five horse/rider combinations for the West Canadian CSI2* Grand Prix for the final day of the Spruce Meadows Pan American. The two-round competition saw 10 duos representing five countries advance to the jump-off. Kent Farrington (USA) aboard a new stable addition, Chato Lou, was able to best them all, putting in a clear ride in a time of 43.14 seconds to win.

“He’s obviously very fast. He’s extremely careful. Those type of forces it’s always hard to know how big they’re going to jump in the end. But I think at whatever job he does in the international sport, whether it’s for two star, three star, four star speed horse, he’s going to win,” said Farrington of his new horse Chato Lou.

Complete results here.

The Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ CSI5*/2* Tournament takes place July 7-10,2022.

~ with files from Spruce Meadows Media