Two time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) bested an international entry of 52 to score his first victory of the Spruce Meadows “Canada One” Tournament in the WESTJET Cup. Riding his 10 year old Dutch gelding, Pjotter, Ward piloted two clear rounds, with a blazing trip around the jump off course of 42.52 seconds to defeat American teammate Mario Deslauriers. Fourteen horse/rider combinations had advanced to the jump-off over the technically demanding course designed by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN).
“This was a very demanding course with a very talented field of horses and riders,” said Ward while receiving the WESTJET Cup and champion’s cheque from WESTJET’s Yehudi Altman. “There are horses and riders in this competition with Olympic and World Championship experience. I am very pleased the way my young gelding handled it all. This would be like a grand prix anywhere else in the world.”
Ward had had a very successful Spruce Meadows Summer Tour to date, sharing a number of victories around his stable with a very talented team of horses in his pursuit of world #1 Eric Lamaze (CAN).