Alberta Equine ...On-Line News: Olympic Size Line-Up in the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup

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Olympic Size Line-Up in the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup

July 9, 2005

Beezie Madden (USA) & Authentic. Photo Credit: Split Seconds Photography

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta --- Beezie Madden is no stranger to the winner's circle at Spruce Meadows - but her win today in the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup is her first Grand Prix victory. Madden has won the Spruce Meadows Canadian Championship and the Shell Cup Derby and has been a close second in a few Grand Prix events in the past so this win is quite special for her.

Partnered with her silver medal mount from the Athens Olympics, the Dutch gelding Authentic, she finished with three perfect rounds, following a four-horse jump-off. "He was a bit rambunctious in the first round but settled down in the second ... he really tried his heart out," said Madden of her great horse. The long break she gave Authentic following their win in the American Invitational this spring proved successful.

All four horses that made it to the jump-off were in fact at Athens last summer. Great Britain's Nick Skelton and Arko III, who led going into the finals at the Olympics, were 1.7 seconds behind Madden for second place.

McLain Ward and Sapphire, who were also part of the American silver medal team at Athens, finished another full second behind Skelton for third. This left Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and his individual gold medal horse, Baloubet du Rouet , in the enviable final slot in the jump-off. An unfortunate rail half-way through knocked him down to fourth but he definitely had the time.

"These are the three fastest horses in the world," commented Ward of Authentic, Arko III and Baloubet du Rouet. "As great as (Sapphire) is, she is not fast but also one not to make mistakes. She is a great mare and she is jumping flawless."

It was also an exciting result in today's Canada Post Cup, a parcours de chasse (speed) event, when New Zealand's Bruce Goodin captured the red ribbon.

It had been fourteen years between celebratory drinks for Goodin. He finished a surprise second in the 1991 du Maurier International at the Spruce Meadows "Masters" - the year Ian Millar (CAN) and Big Ben won. Goodin was awestruck, not quite believing he was standing in the same line-up with superstars such as John Whitaker and Milton (GBR) or Pierre Durand (FRA) and Jappeloup.

This afternoon in the International Ring, Goodin had a good long chug of Molson Canadian after winning the Canada Post Cup aboard his New Zealand Thoroughbred stallion, Telegraph. The Canada Post event was the fourth leg of the Molson Canadian Six Pack Series and Goodin will be looking towards the "Masters" to win a cash bonus with a second win in the Series.

Heading into tomorrow's Chrysler Classic, Laura Kraut (USA) and Miss Independent are leading the standings with Ian Millar (CAN) and Geir Gulliksen (NOR) in second and third. Historically it comes down to final placings in the Chrysler Classic that contributes maximum points to the overall championship.

For complete results, please go to www.sprucemeadows.com

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