A record Friday crowd of 59,765 was treated to top championship sport in the Mercedes-Benz Evening of the Horse, Friday at Spruce Meadows.
In the $100,000 Encana Cup, Lauren Hough of the United States scored her first victory with her 9 year old mare Blue Angel in a 3 horse jump-off featuring Kamal Bahamdan (KSA) and Canadian Team rookie Tiffany Foster. The Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course took its toll on the 25 starters, with just three advancing to the jump-off.
In the evening’s finale, 12 horse/rider combinations took to the International Ring for the high altitude excitement of the ATCO Electric 6 Bar. Through 4 rounds of competition just three remained in contention as Leopoldo Palacios raised the final vertical of the 4 remaining on course to 2.05 meters.
Only Time Stockdale (GBR) riding his 9 year old gelding Fresh Direct K2 was able to conquer the final line of four vertical fences to claim the victory in front of an incredibly appreciative crowd. Seventeen year old Ben Asselin (CAN) delighted the crowd with an impressive second place finish.
Action at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” continues tomorrow with the Suncor Energy Cup and the ten nation BMO Nations’ Cup.