Spruce Meadows Skyliner/Continental Thursday

The best certainly came out to play tonight at Spruce Meadows for the Husky Energy Cup. There were 42 competitors who looked to finish ahead of the rest over the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course.

The first round of competition saw 14 horse/rider combinations get the best of the 15 jumping efforts that spanned over 475 metres of Meadows on the Green. Moving onto the jump-off round was made to look easy by World, World Cup and Olympic Champions, but the jump-off would be a showcase of talent, speed and agility.

Rodrigo Pessoa is one of the best riders in the world and a threat every time he enters the ring. Today was no different as he rode in on Cazino. The pair sped around the jump-off course, flying over the obstacles and making impossibly tight turns. They crossed the finish line in 35.61 seconds. It would be a tough time to beat.

Pessoa’s time was tight and each competitor who followed him into the ring knew they would have to leave it all on the line if they wanted to win. It cost many who thought they could chase and catch Pessoa.

France’s Marie Hecart was having a fantastic round but with the pressure of the clock she ended up taking two late rails and finishing in eleventh position. Other’s opted to have the chance at a clear round but ended up finishing well behind the first place time.

Someone who knows what it takes and has beaten Pessoa before is American Beezie Madden and today she was riding her two time Olympic Gold Medal mount, Authentic making the threat even greater. Madden is extremely competitive and while some might ride conservatively to ensure a clear round Madden rides to win.

The pair started off fast, galloping around and following Pessoa’s lead on the tight turns. As Madden pushed Authentic over the last fence it was clear that they know how to win. A time of 34.70 seconds was a first place time for the pair.

“With 14 horses in the jump-off I knew it would be as competitive as any jump-off in the sport, anywhere,” said a smiling Madden in the winner’s circle. “But with Authentic I really do feel I have an advantage. He is so quick, so careful and so efficient that he really isn’t like other horses. He is a treat to ride because, like me, he is also competitive. We like to win,” added the two time Olympic gold medalist after the Husky Energy victory.

Husky Energy Cup top 10

1-         Beezie Madden                      USA                Authentic

2-         Rodrigo Pessoa                      BRA               Cazino

3-         Guy Thomas                          NZL               Peterbilt

4-         Rodrigo Pessoa                      BRA               Champ 163

5-         Anna Trent                            NZL                Muskateer NZPH

6-         Jonathan Asselin                    CAN               Rayana Chiara

7-         Beth Underhill                       CAN               Top Gun

8-         Andrea Strain                       CAN               Luigi

9-         Pablo Barrios                         VEN                Sinatra

10-       Jaime Azcarraga                     MEX               Celsius