Spruce Meadows Skyliner/Continental Wednesday

The junior/amateurs took centre stage today at Spruce Meadows with the 1.40 metre Paramount Resources Prix des Nations. There were eight teams competing in the Nations’ Cup style competition. There was more than pride on the line as teams looked to win tonight and to earn a spot in Sunday’s Final Four competition.

Just like the pros, the junior/amateurs were competing over a tough Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course. They had to make their way around 14 jumping efforts in less than 80 seconds. It would take a top horse/rider combination to clear this difficult course.

Each team consisted of four riders with only the best three scores being counted towards the team’s total. At the end of round one only the top four teams returned for a second round of competition.

After the second round two teams found themselves tied for first position. They would have to jump-off to decide a champion in the Paramount Resources Prix des Nations. Team Captain Kent Farrington of team East Meets West chose 14 year-old Reed Kessler (USA) to return for the jump-off.

Kessler had an early rail but pushed her mount Ice D’Ancoeur to finish in a fast time of 40.61 seconds. If her opponent had a rail Kessler would be in a good position after posting such a fast time.

Karl Cook (USA) was selected to ride for the West Coast Active Riders. Cook had been clear in the first two rounds and team captains Guy Thomas and John French hoped he could do it again.

As Cook carefully navigated Notories Utopia around the ring it was evident that a triple clear was possible. Taking a bit of a risk, Cook didn’t push the time, knowing that a clear round would be good enough for a win. As he crossed the finish line clear the West Coast Active Riders cheered their anchor rider and their first place finish.

“This is such a unique event, I wish every junior/amateur could experience it,” said Guy Thomas the West Coast Active Riders Team Captain. “It’s always great to win here. It means so much to win as a team,” added Thomas after his teams win in the Paramount Resources Prix des Nations.

Paramount Resources Prix des Nations top 3

1. West Coast Active Riders – Team Capitan Kent Farrington

Annie Laurie Cook                 USA                Tucker

Julie Hancock                        USA                Senna Van Paemel

Taylor Siebel                         USA                Thunder-Ball

Karl Cook                             USA                 Notories Utopia

2. East Meets West – Team Captains Guy Thomas & John French

Reed Kessler                         USA                Ice D’Ancoeur

Richard Neal                          USA                Larina

Lara Kelly                              USA                Garth

Lucy Davis                             USA               True Love

3. Venemex – Team Captain Antonio Maurer

Beatriz Franco                        MEX               Bravo de Mex

Pedro Yrigoyen                       MEX               Carl Der Grosse 4

Victoria Vargas D’Agostino       VEN               Cartago Son

Luis Larrazabal                       VEN                Fairbanks

The “Continental/Skyliner” Tournament continues tomorrow with a day and evening feature competition. The AKITA Drilling Cup will begin at 1:30 pm followed by, the Husky Energy Cup, will begin at 5:30 pm on Meadows on the Green.