The United States was not shut out today after a victory in the opening competition of the ‘National’ Tournament. The RoadTrek Cup 1.50m competition was stocked with 71 athletes coming through the clock tower to challenge the Guilherme Jorge designed, speed competition.
With 25 competitors jumping clear rounds on day one of the ‘National’ Tournament, presented by ROLEX, it was an impressive to see veteran champion McLain Ward hold his number one spot after an early go as 19th in the starting order with HH Callas, a 10 year-old mare owned by Double H Farms. “She’s a fairly new partnership for me, though I’d had my eye on her for a while.” Said McLain of the talented chestnut mare. Fresh off his major championship win in the 2017 World Cup Finals of Omaha, Ward continues his winning ways and is off to a great start here at Spruce Meadows. “It was a life goal for me really, it was my main focus for the year and after competing 17 times in the World Cup Finals with near misses, it was really special to be able to celebrate that with my whole team – who have been with me for so many years.”
Ward was not the only rider representing the stars and stripes in the winner’s circle as young Lucy Deslauriers followed so very close behind with her trusty mount, the 12 year-old Belgium Warmblood gelding, Hester. The pair arrived to the finish line just 0.28 seconds behind World Cup Champion Ward, under the tutelage of her father, former Canadian Team member, Mario Deslauriers who now bases in New York.
Full results here.
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