Team France has won the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup today at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament. In front of a record crowd of 79,489, over 10,000 more than last year, Team France jumped in championship form to win one of the richest Nations’ Cup events in the World. Only four jumping faults separated France and Canada, the second place team.
Ten teams started the coveted BMO Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, each with four members selected by their Chef d’Équipe to compete for their country. They battled over a course designed by Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, which featured 15 jumping efforts, more than 500 metres and a time allowance of 75 seconds.
“It was a dream to come to Calgary and to win with three riders is incredible,” said the French Chef d’Equipe, Thierry Pomel.
“This year’s BMO Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows was a stellar showing of the best riders and horses from ten countries,” said Frank Techar, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Bank of Montreal. Presenting the winning trophy to Chef d’Équipe Thierry Pomel, he remarked, “Team France should be proud of their first place finish in this challenging, world class competition.”
Team Canada’s Silver place finish made for a spectacular day for the home crowd. Ian Millar, Team Canada’s Captain said, “it’s the only time in the competition where it is a team event, which makes it very exciting for us as riders. There was a lot of drama out there since you never knew till the very end where it would all end up.”
2011 BMO Nations’ Cup Standings
1. France
Thierry Pomel, Chef d’Équipe
Jerome Hurel, OHM de Ponthual
Marc Delasser, Obiwan de Piliore
Roger-Yves Bost, Ideal de la Loge
2. Canada
Terrance Millar, Chef d’Equipe
Ian Millar, Star Power
Eric Lamaze, Hickstead
Jonathan Asselin, Showgirl
Tiffany Foster, Southwind VDL
3. Switzerland
Stephane Montavon, Chef d’Equipe
Martin Fuchs, Principal 12
Marc Oertly, Tamira IV
Simone Wettstein, Clipmyhorse Cash and Go
Christina Liebherr, LB Callas Sitte Z
For a complete list of results and tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at http://www.sprucemeadows.com/.
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