A record Friday crowd of 59,765 was treated to top championship sport in the Mercedes-Benz Evening of the Horse, Friday at Spruce Meadows.
In the $100,000 Encana Cup, Lauren Hough of the United States scored her first victory with her 9 year old mare Blue Angel in a 3 horse jump-off featuring Kamal Bahamdan (KSA) and Canadian Team rookie Tiffany Foster. The Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course took its toll on the 25 starters, with just three advancing to the jump-off.
In the evening’s finale, 12 horse/rider combinations took to the International Ring for the high altitude excitement of the ATCO Electric 6 Bar. Through 4 rounds of competition just three remained in contention as Leopoldo Palacios raised the final vertical of the 4 remaining on course to 2.05 meters.
Only Time Stockdale (GBR) riding his 9 year old gelding Fresh Direct K2 was able to conquer the final line of four vertical fences to claim the victory in front of an incredibly appreciative crowd. Seventeen year old Ben Asselin (CAN) delighted the crowd with an impressive second place finish.
Action at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” continues tomorrow with the Suncor Energy Cup and the ten nation BMO Nations’ Cup.
For a complete tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at http://www.sprucemeadows.com/.
Encana Cup – Top 10
1-Lauren Hough USA Blue Angel
2-Kamal Bahamdan KSA Delphi
3-Tiffany Foster CAN Victor
4-Niels Bruynseels BEL Conisha Van De Helle
5-Gert Jan Bruynseels NED MCB Ulke
6-Kent Farrington USA Uceko
7-Nicola Philippaerts BEL Vadetta VH Nettenhof
8-Eric Lamaze CAN Coriana Van Klapscheut
9-Harrie Smolders NED Regina Z
10-Beezie Madden USA Cortes C
ATCO Electric Six Bar – Top 10
1-Tim Stockdale GBR Fresh Direct K2
2-Ben Asselin CAN Lolita
2-Shane Breen IRL Balloon
4-Andreas Kreuzer GER Jumex Sport Atlantus
5-Santiago Lambre MEX Eorn De Monte Longu
6-Gemma Paternoster GBR Osiris
7-Kelly Koss CAN Laokoon 12
7-Carla Diewert CAN Vaquero
7-Jerome Hurel FRA Opheline De Gorgon
10-Jill Blunt USA Udam
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