Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci claimed victory riding Hantano in the grand finale of the Jumping International de La Baule.

The eye-catching youngster fetched a winning price of €386,000 after a bidding war between Hungary and the UAE.

The longtime Spruce Meadows competitor, currently ranked #74 in the FEI World Rankings, made the decision to ride under the Canadian flag.

The Canadian rider, based in Wellington in the winter and Montreal in the summer, is trained by Melissandre Lincourt.

The US rider guided his longtime partner Keeneland over Canadian course designer Meghan Rawlins’ track against five jump-off rivals.

A snapshot of the current state of affairs in the FEI disciplines; Canada has some new faces in top-100 para-dressage.

The 2012 Olympic jumping course designer, who died at the age of 79 following a short illness, designed fair and challenging courses all over the world.

Top international fields with lots of Canadians in the mix will make for an exciting tournament, with the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix on Saturday.

Over 200 horses and top riders from 21 nations are poised to begin this second tournament in the summer series.

Wellington International South, a 98-acre development, will be the new home of AGDF, FEI and U25 competitions, and seasonal events.