Saturday: Friends of the Meadows Cup
The Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.50m served as the featured competition on the International Ring on Saturday at the Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’, presented by Rolex, with Germany’s Richard Vogel and his stallion Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos emerging victorious.
Forty-six horse/rider combinations passed through the iconic Clock Tower to contest the track, set by FEI course designer Anderson Lima of Mexico. Only five combinations managed faultless rounds, including world #2-ranked rider and live Rolex Grand Slam contender Richard Vogel.
Vogel and Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos delivered in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 45.53 seconds to take top spot. Lillie Keenan (USA) and Emerlon finished second with a time of 46.93 seconds, while Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker and Strike a Pose rounded out the top three in 55.33 seconds. With riders from eight different nations placing in the top 10, the result reflected the truly international caliber of the field at this year’s ‘Pan American’.
This was Vogel’s first time at the Summer Tournaments at Spruce Meadows, and he was enjoying the experience. “The Summer Series [at Spruce Meadows] I think is a brilliant, for me two weeks, in general five weeks with one week off, where you have more time that you spend here. We’ll do a few smaller classes with up-and-coming horses where there’s not so much pressure on the horse and also not on us riders! We can enjoy the facility a little bit more – and that’s what we do.”
Friends of the Meadows 1.50m
1. Richard Vogel (GER) & Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos
2. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Emerlon
3. Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Strike a Pose
4. Mark Bluman (COL) & Phelina de Septon
5. Reagan Tomb (USA) & Nijinsky 10
Results here.
Sunday: Two-Fer for Vogel in West Canadian, AON
The final day of the the ‘Pan American’, presented by Rolex, got underway with the West Canadian Cup, presented by WCD, on the International Ring. Despite challenging wet conditions, 42 horse/rider combinations took on the, with 10 combinations representing nine nations producing fault-free performances to advance to the jump-off.
Germany’s Richard Vogel and Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos continued their impressive form at Spruce Meadows, further solidifying why Vogel currently holds the world number two ranking. Delivering another standout performance, the pair stopped the clock in a winning time of 44.33 seconds to claim top honours.
Rounding out the podium were Colombia’s Mark Bluman in second place, while Canada’s new citizen, Kyle King, secured third, capping off a competitive and international field on the final day of competition.
“Despite the conditions, the footing really held up and we were able to make tight turns and ride the fences,” said Vogel on riding in the rain.
West Canadian Cup, presented by WCD
1. Richard Vogel (GER) & Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos
2. Mark Bluman (COL) & S & L Hello Sunshine
3. Kyle King (CAN) & Odysseus
4. Conor Swail (IRL) & Casturano
5. Jos Verlooy (BEL) & Parise van den Dael
Results here.
Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir with groom Gigi Badan. (Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko)
The AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex 1.60m, brought the Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’, presented by Rolex to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday afternoon. Despite persistent rain, 31 horse-and-rider combinations took on Anderson Lima’s demanding Grand Prix track.
The course proved to be a true test of skill and precision, with faults spread throughout the track rather than concentrated at any one obstacle. By the end of the first round, only three combinations had managed to leave all the rails in place: New Zealand’s Katie Laurie aboard Django II, Germany’s Richard Vogel with Gangster Montdesir, and Czechia’s Vaclav Stanek riding Quintin.
Stanek’s faultless effort, however, came with a heartbreaking twist. Crossing the finish line in 85.08 seconds, he incurred a single time fault — just 0.08 seconds over the allotted time — leaving him in the eventual third-place position and unable to advance to the jump-off.
Laurie and Django II, winners of the Grand Prix at the ‘Continental’ earlier this summer, were first to return for the jump-off. An unfortunate rail opened the door for Vogel and Gangster Montdesir, who delivered a composed and fault-free performance. Stopping the clock in 52.74 seconds, the German pair secured victory in the AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, capping off an exceptional week of competition at Spruce Meadows.
Vaclav Stanek’s remarkable first-round performance earned him the bronze position, while Laurie and Django II finished as runners-up.
This was Vogel’s third victory of the day (he also won Sunday’s Friends of the Meadow sJumper 1.30m with Diatasio), and fourth of the ‘Pan American’ tournament.
“The beginning of the week, his [Gangster Montdesir] first time entering the International Ring, he was quite impressed, but I’m even more happy how quick he developed and how good he was today,” remarked Vogel on his strong string of horses and how they’re adapting to Spruce Meadows.
Gigi Badan, groom for Richard Vogel, was the winning groom of the AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, and also received a new YETI cooler bag.
AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex
1. Richard Vogel (GER) & Gangster Montdesir
2. Katie Laurie (NZL) & Django II
3. Vaclav Stanek (CZE) & Quintin
4. Mark Bluman (COL) & Genial de B’Neville
5. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Kick On
Results here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows Media
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