The First Day at The Masters

The 2010 Spruce Meadows CSIO 5* “Masters” Tournament was started off with the AKITA Drilling Cup. There were 44 entries to start the opening competition all eager to start the week off with a win. It was the lone Venezuelan, Pablo Barrios who took charge of the ring in the AKITA Drilling Cup.

Riding on a course designed by fellow Venezuelan, Leopoldo Palacios, Barrios navigated his 11 year-old Oldenburg gelding, G&C Lagran around the first round course perfectly. That course featured 14 jumping-efforts over 510 metres with a time allowed of 77 seconds.

Joining Barrios in the jump-off were 8 others, including American and Canadian BMO Nations’ Cup Team Members, Ashlee Bond and Yann Candele. Barrios finished the fastest, in 34.96 seconds for his second International Ring victory at Spruce Meadows.

“He’s very fast, he’s a winner,” said Barrios of his mount. “I always like Leopoldo’s courses, he makes you work. If you have a horse like this it’s fine,” added the champion. “This is our last tournament before the World Equestrian Games, it’s always good to know he can win and do well,” added Barrios as he looked forward to the 2010 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games which will be held in Lexington, KY later this month.

AKITA Drilling Cup top 10 –
1. Pablo Barrios – VEN – G&C Lagran
2. Ashlee Bond – USA – Cadett 7
3. Maurice Van Roosbroeck – BEL – Dylano
4. Nathalie Van Der Mei – NED – Noble Lady
5. Niels Bruynseels – BEL – Carpalo
6. Patrik Spits – BEL – Va-Vite
7. Yann Candele – CAN – Game Ready
8. Rik Hemeryck – BEL – Challenge VD Begijnakker
9. Jonathan Millar – CAN – Piccobello Du Val De Geer
10. Nicola Fitzgibbon – IRL – Puissance

The day’s final competition was the 1.60 metre Finning Welcome. The Leopoldo Palacious (VEN) designed course was fought over by an entry of 27 of show jumping’s top horse/rider combinations. It was Spruce Meadows newcomer, Guy Williams (GBR) who took centre stage, using rookie luck to his advantage in his International Ring debut.

Riding his 9 year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Belinka VH Overlede Goed, Williams cleared the first round course moving onto the jump-off. That first round featured 13 jumping efforts, over 460 metres, with a time allowed of 69 seconds. That course saw only three horse/rider combinations finish within the time allowed and without rails.

Williams, a member of the British team, used the speed of his mare to his advantage to finish the jump-off in 40.02 seconds. He was challenged by Belgium rider and fellow Spruce Meadows rookie, Rik Hemeryck, who finished his round a hair behind in 40.01 seconds.

“It’s an honour to come here and to win on the first day,” said Williams. “It’s a lovely ring and a nice show.” A first day win takes the pressure off as the riders gear up into a week of heavy competition and increasing course difficulty. “Now we can relax, now we’ll be alright,” added the champion of the Finning Welcome.

Finning Welcome top 10 –
1. Guy Williams – GBR – Belinka VH Overlede Goed
2. Rik Hemeryck – BEL – Quarco De Kerambars
3. Jeroen Dubbeldam – NED – BMC Van Grunsven Simon
4. Gerco Schroder – NED – Eurocommerce Pennsylvania
5. Niels Bruynseels – BEL – Nasa
6. Beezie Madden – USA – Mademoiselle
7. Robert Smith – GBR – Raging Bull Vangelis S
8. Guy Thomas – NZL – Peterbilt
9. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Hickstead
10. Karl Cook – USA – Uno De Laubry