Show jumping legend Ian Millar showed the world why he is still considered amongst the best in the sport by winning the RBC Financial Group Cup in convincing fashion at Spruce Meadows today. Millar, riding his 2008 Olympic team silver medal partner In Style, posted the lone clear round over the 550 meter, 16 jumping effort course designed by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN).
“Now you know why he’s called In Style,” laughed Millar. “That’s the way he wins, “in style”.”
The course proved difficult at every stage from start to finish and dashed the dreams of many the sport’s biggest stars that could not solve all of its challenges. Millar was 16th to go in the order of 20 entries and stars such as McLain Ward (USA), Michael Whitaker (GBR) and Eric Lamaze (CAN) all struggled at some point on the course.
“When riding a course like this you must look at it in individual pieces and then combine the parts to form your overall strategy,” said Millar. “The course walk is very important. It provides a tremendous insight into what the course designer is really asking. I still spend a lot of time inspecting every course. You can’t let the results of others go to your head, but you can certainly learn by watching those before you.”
Millar is no stranger to the winners circle at Spruce Meadows where he has amassed over $2 million in career earnings including 9 victories in RBC events dating back to 1983. “I started riding horses in Gull Lake, Alberta as a 10 year old and there is still nothing I enjoy more than a day with a horse in Alberta. Spruce Meadows really has become a second home to me over the last 36 years,” added Millar while receiving the winner’s cheque from Bruce MacKenzie, Regional President of RBC Financial Group before an appreciative crowd.
In the day’s other feature international event two time Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) narrowly defeated Mario Deslauriers in a jump off to win the Talisman Energy Cup.
Sunday, the final day of the “Canada One” Tournament, is highlighted by international action on the Meadows on the Green, with the West Canadian Cup and the $65,000 Esso Challenge World Cup Grand Prix.
For a complete tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at http://www.sprucemeadows.com/.
Talisman Energy Cup – Top 10
1. McLain Ward, USA, Vocas
2. Mario Deslauriers, USA, Vicomte D
3. Eric Lamaze, CAN, Coriana Van Klapscheut
4. Richard Spooner, USA, Apache
5. Elle Whitaker, GBR, Ximena
6. Beezie Madden, USA, Cortes C
7. Caitlin Ziegler, USA, Valencia
8. Will Simpson, USA, Black Cherry
9. Mario Deslauriers, USA, Diablo
10. Guy Thomas, NZL, Lavito
RBC Financial Group Cup – Top 10
1. Ian Millar, CAN, In Style
2. Jennifer Crooks, IRL, SF Uryadi
3. Katherine Dinan, USA, Vancouver
4. McLain Ward, USA, Rothchild
5. Richard Spooner, USA, Cristallo
6. Mark Armstrong, GBR, Thesaura
7. Beezie Madden, USA, Coral Reef Via Volo
8. Mario Deslauriers, USA, Cella
9. Emily George, CAN, Quidam’s Ramiro
10. Paulo Santana, BRA, Taloubet
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