Alberta Equine ...On-Line News: The Spruce Meadows Summer Tour Wraps Up

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The Spruce Meadows Summer Tour Wraps Up

July 16, 2004

This article contains links to related stories... The whirlwind of the four week, three million dollar Spruce Meadows Summer Tour began with the National Tournament, June 9th and was followed by three more tournaments, the Continental, the Canada One and the North American Tournament which wrapped up July 11th.

It began with over 900 horses, and included Olympic, World Cup and World Championship veterans from Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe.

Among the competitors was Red Deer's Femke Van Den Bosch, one of the world's best junior riders. In December, Van Den Bosch won the silver medal in the F.E.I. World Children's Final for athletes 15-years of age and under.

Two-time Olympic medalist, Leslie Howard of the United States, jumped to victory against 40 horse/rider combinations in the inaugural Red Deer Advocate Welcome held Thursday, June 17th, the second day of the Continental.

Show-jumping enthusiasts most looked forward to the second leg of the $1 Million CN Precision Series, held the final day of the Spruce Meadows "Continental". American Lauren Hough was in line to score a $50,000 bonus should she jump to victory. Earlier in June, Hough won the Direct Energy Preferred Grand Prix to begin her Precision Series journey.

The CN Precision Series offers:

1 win iron spike
2 wins bronze spike $ 50,000 bonus
3 wins silver spike $450,000 bonus
4 wins gold spike $500,000 bonus

Since its inception two seasons ago, no one athlete has won more than one leg in the CN Precision Series in a single year, although the names on the trophy read like a show jumping all-star team; Ludger Beerbaum, Rodrigo Pessoa, Norman Dello Joio, Otto Becker, Richard Spooner, Markus Fuchs, Lauren Hough and Karen Cudmore can all claim to have jumped to a victory.

Five of these riders were scheduled to test the waters again Sunday, June 20th with Hough in play to win a $50,000 bonus. The Wellington, Florida native didn’t disappoint the crowd when she beat the odds by capturing the second leg of the Series, making it two wins in a row!

Hough was the only rider to post a double-clear round in the end for the win, which also came with a $35,000 first-place cheque. There were four horse/rider combinations in the jump-off with U.S. Olympic team member Beezie Madden of Cazenovi, New York leading the way with one rail down but a fast time of 48.206. Jeffery Welles of Pound Ridge, New York was next in the ring but pulled two rails in a time of 53.244.

Hough and Clasiko were third to go but they couldn't sit back and go for a careful clear as she still had one rider to go after her. They left all the rails up in a fast time of 49.931 seconds. Mexico's Jaime Guerra was the final rider to challenge and also beat Hough's time but had an unfortunate rail and settled for third place.

(See this related story – Two Down, Two to Go for Lauren Hough in the CN Series )

CN Performance Grand Prix Results

1. Lauren Hough/Clasiko/USA/0 - 49.931 (jump-off)
2. Beezie Madden/Judgement/USA/4 - 48.931 (jump-off)
3. Jaime Guerra/Royal Beach Cupid/MEX/4 - 49.757 (jump-off)
4. Jeffery Welles/Armani/USA/8 - 53.244 (jump-off)
5. Jonathan Asselin/Luxgood/CAN/1 - 93.661

Hot on the heels of the Continental came the Canada One Tournament, a week that would see if Richard Spooner of Burbank, California could score a $15,000 bonus by jumping to victory with his Thoroughbred gelding, Bradford during the second leg of the $300,000 Molson Canadian Six Pack Series. Spooner and Bradford won the series opener in June at the Spruce Meadows "National."

With three more of the Series' six international speed events scheduled to take place at Spruce Meadows over the next seven days, Spooner could score a possible $115,000 in bonus money to add to the events' prize money if victorious in each of the Molson events.

The Molson Canadian Six Pack Series at Spruce Meadows includes the following six international show jumping events:

TransCanada Parcours de Chasse - June 12
1 win = in Play

ConocoPhillips Canada Cup - July 3
2 wins = $15,000 bonus

Zeidler Financial Cup - July 8
3 wins = $40,000 bonus

Canada Post Cup - July 10
4 wins = $55,000 bonus

BP Cup - September 11

5 wins = $60,000 bonus

Molson Cup - September 12
6 wins = $85,000 bonus

Spooner and Bradford didn’t let their fans down as they cruised to victory in the Conoco Phillips Canada Cup at Spruce Meadows on Saturday, July 3rd. They bested the 30 entry field that included many of international show-jumping's top guns. Try as they might, the likes of Ian Millar (CAN), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Laura Kraut (USA) and Michael Whitaker (GBR) could not match the effort put in by Spooner and Bradford over the 750 metre, 15 obstacle course that included liverpools, the bank and a devil's dyke.

Michael Whitaker and Handel II from Great Britain captured the main event in the Open Jumper Division at the Spruce Meadows "Canada One" Tournament two days running, beginning with the Investors Group Cup 1.60m Jumper on Friday, July 2nd.

Saturday, July 3rd they handily won the RBC Cup which saw 5 out of twenty-six horses go through to the jump-off. Whitaker and the Dutch stallion, Handel II, were first back in the tricky jump-off and set a very quick time of 51.91, leaving all the rails up. The veteran British rider in fact was clear on both his horses and captured third place as well aboard Sandy.

Canada's Ian Millar and In Style were the only other clear combination in the jump-off but finished more than 10 seconds slower than Whitaker for second place. Mary Soland and Jaime Guerra finished fourth and fifth respectively.

On Sunday, July 4th, American rider Jeffery Welles, had reason to celebrate when he finished both 1st and 3rd in the ESSO Challenge on the final day of the Spruce Meadows "Canada One" Tournament.

Welles, placing 1st with Armani, and 3rd with Octavius was able to take home a total of $20,200. He set the pace early on for the 20 riders in the jump-off round with his horse Octavius, completing a clear course in 39.50 seconds. This time was not beat until the third last competitor, veteran Rodrigo Pessoa, cleared the course with Harry Potter in a time of 76.593 seconds. Welles, with Armani then topped Pessoa's time as the last competitor in the jump-off round with a fast time of 37.760 seconds.

For Welles, placing 1st and 3rd out of forty-six riders, including last year's champion, Richard Spooner, and third all-time money winner, Rodrigo Pessoa is quite a feat. It wasn't until this year that Welles felt his horses were good enough to compete at Spruce Meadows.

His victory in the ESSO Challenge wrapped up the last day of the Spruce Meadows "Canada One" Tournament. Welles stayed on to compete in the $1 million Spruce Meadows "North American" Tournament, which began Wednesday, July 7th. They hardly had time to catch their breath before course designer Bob Ellis of England put the international horses and riders to the test in the Molson Cup, the very first evening of the North American Tournament. Ellis designed a large, technical course which challenged all and helped to prepare them for the tough weekend ahead. Only American Norman Dello Joio on his young horse, Quriel, managed a double clear to take the win with a jump-off time of 46.73.

"Tonight's course took a lot of jumping, it took a lot of focus," said Dello Joio. "Competition brings the horses up and I was a little behind the eight-ball but they are definitely more comfortable in the ring now." Dello Joio's top mount, Glasgow, is currently on rest following a soundness issue.

Fellow American Beezie Madden finished behind Dello Joio with one rail in the jump-off in a fast time of 44.37. Richard Spooner also had a quicker time than Dello Joio but took two rails in the jump-off for third. Jill Henselwood was the top Canadian again in the Section (II) event, finishing in ninth place.

Molly Ashe of the United States won for the second night in a row in the International Ring with a win in the Akita Drilling Cup (I) aboard Lutopia, as she won the Section (I) event on Wednesday, aboard Naomi. Madden took runner-up spot, with Conquest II, in the eight horse jump-off. Canadian Jonathon Millar finished third aboard Jacquet.

Following two events that contribute points towards the Spruce Meadows North American Championship™, last year's Champion, Richard Spooner of Burbank, California was in the lead followed by Canadians Ian Millar and Jill Henselwood. However, the weekend's ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Chrysler Classic contribute maximum points to determine the ultimate winner.

Akita Drilling Cup (I)

1. Molly Ashe/Lutopia/USA/0 - 37.86 (jump-off)
2. Beezie Madden/Conquest II/USA/0 - 39.17 (jump-off)
3. Jonathon Millar/Jacquet/CAN/0 - 40.08 (jump-off)
4. Mark Armstong/Thesaura/GBR/0 - 40.626 (jump-off)
5. Rich Fellers/Tulip/USA/0 - 40.702 (jump-off)

Molson Cup (II)

1. Norman Dello Joio/Quriel/USA/0 - 46.73 (jump-off)
2. Beezie Madden/Judgement/USA/4 - 44.37 (jump-off)
3. Richard Spooner/Robinson/USA/8 - 42.63 (jump-off)
4. Leslie Howard/Youp/USA/8 - 45.90 (jump-off)
5. Jeffery Welles/Armani/USA/1 - 81.02

Friday, July 9th became a day to remember for Cathleen Calvert, a 21-year old Canadian rider as she reached a career highlight with her first win in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows. This was an unexpected win for the young rider as she was competing against sixty-six international riders in the Pepsi Challenge, including former-Olympic competitors Ian Millar (CAN) and Michael Whitaker (GBR)!

With a jump-off time of 35.383 seconds and leaving all the rails up, Calvert and her beautiful palomino Quietude were unbeatable. Thirteen horse/rider combinations moved forward to the jump-off and Jaime Guerra, of Mexico, with young horse Powerpoint, finished .70 seconds behind Calvert for second place. There were seven double clears in the end and following close behind for third was American Clare Bronfman.

Following Calvert's exciting win in the Pepsi Challenge came another satisfying win in the Lafarge Cup. Laura Kraut, of the United States placed first with horse, Miss Independent, after having what she describes as a "dry spell" on the International Ring at Spruce Meadows.

"My horse can be green, but she sure has jump. She was keen tonight, really on it," says Kraut of her Dutch mare. The Lafarge Cup also produced a large jump-off field with fourteen horses out of a first round total of forty-five.

Fellow American Rich Fellers was more than a full second behind on McGuiness followed by British rider Mark Armstrong aboard Graf Gold. The only Canadian to make it top the jump-off was Jonathon Millar who finished in 12th place.

Pepsi Challenge (1.45m )

1. Cathleen Calvert/Quietude/CAN/0 - 35.383 (jump off)
2. Jamie Guerra/Powerpoint/MEX/0 - 36.080 (jump off)
3. Clare Bronfman/Limmertair/USA/0 - 36.743 (jump off)
4. Guy Goosen/Stuart/GBR/0 - 37.888 (jump off)
5. Abigail Carpenter/Rosanne Van De Withoeve/USA/0 - 39.135 (jump off)

Lafarge Cup (1.5m)

Kraut/Miss Independent/USA/0 - 44.958 (jump off)
2. Rich Fellers/McGuinness/USA/0 - 46.361 (jump off)
3. Mark Armstrong/Graf Gold/GBR/0 - 54.910 (jump off)
4. Molly Ashe/Resolute/USA/0 - 44.478 (jump off)
5. Rodrigo Pessoa/Harry Potter/BRA/0 - 44.655 (jump off)

On Saturday, July 10th, American Lauren Hough had to deal with more than the ordinary competitive pressures associated with the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

In addition to taking on the world's best in two rounds of Grand Prix Competition - having jumped to victory in the first two Grand Prix of the four-event series this season - Hough was also eligible for a $450,000 bonus in the $1 million CN Precision Series and was on track to score a career payday with her prized mount, Clasiko …no pressure Lauren!

One might have thought Course Designer Bob Ellis underestimated the field in the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup after twelve went clear in the first round. But like the skilled professional that he is, it really worked out perfectly. Although he originally estimated only five to go clear in the opening round, the top twelve back and all clear was very fitting …and his comment on the four cleans in the second round? "Perfect!"

Bernardo Alves of Brazil was first back in the jump-off on his German stallion, Canturo. They had to set a challenging pace for the others behind them.

"I definitely gambled, had to push the others to take the risk. I knew they could catch my time but with all the rollbacks it was going to be difficult to leave the rails up!" said Alves. Canturo did not touch a rail and they finished in a time of 50.31.

American Nicole Shahinian-Simpson also had three clear rounds but could not catch Alves' jump-off time and finished second in 52.03 seconds. In a well-represented international jump-off, Mexico's Jaime Guerra took the challenge Alves set and beat the time but had a very unfortunate rail for third.

Probably the loudest groan came though, when Lauren Hough of the United States pulled a rail in the jump-off, spoiling her chance of a $450,000 bonus in the CN Precision Series. Hough will have one more chance at the cash and a third win in the Series during the CN International at the Spruce Meadows "Masters" in September.

The crowd of close to 30,000 was treated to some excitement in the Section (I) event with a win by Richard Spooner of California.

Spooner took a chance and it paid off huge for him in the Canada Post Cup - a Parcours de Chasse event where speed is the only factor. Leaving out a stride where everyone else added, made the difference for Spooner and his great Thoroughbred Bradford, finishing almost a full second faster than second place Laura Kraut.

"He's as fast as they come, I'm really proud of him . . . he really came through for me," Spooner told the crowd during presentations, referring to Bradford.

His gamble brought him a cash bonus in the Molson Canadian Six Pack Series in addition to the $23,000 he collected for winning. The Canada Post event was the fourth of six legs in the Series that will wrap up during the "Masters" in September. Spooner has now won three of the four, which awarded him a $40,000 bonus for his hat-trick.

The Spruce Meadows North American Championship™, being led by Mexican rider Jaime Guerra at this point, would have a winner after the Chrysler Classic, as that event contributes maximum points and usually determines the winner.

ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup

1. Bernardo Alves/Canturo/BRA/0 - 50.31 (jump-off)
2. Nicole Shahinain-simpson/El Campeons So Long/USA/0 - 52.30 (jump-off)
3. Jaime Guerra/Splendid VD Heffink/MEX/4 - 47.29 (jump-off)
4. Lauren Hough/Clasiko/USA/4 - 48.54 (jump-off)

5. Norman Dello Joio/Quriel/USA/4 - 64.66 (second round)

Canada Post Cup (I)

1. Richard Spooner/Bradford/USA/70.36
2. Laura Kraut/Antigua Bay/USA/71.34
3. Jaime Guerra/Royal Beach Cupid/MEX/72.58
4. Beezie Madden/Cloud Nine/USA
5. Beezie Madden/Conquest II/USA/73.52

Sunday, July 11th arrived, the final day of the Spruce Meadows North American Tournament and the final Tournament of the Spruce Meadows Summer Tour. The two big events of the day, the Sun Life Financial and the Chrysler Classic, provided an exciting conclusion.

At Spruce Meadows, summer – or anytime, for that matter – it’s all about the horses! But bring your family or buddies ‘cause at Spruce Meadows, there’s something for everyone! (See related story – link to follow - ‘July in Calgary – Horses, Marching Bands, Parades and Displays’)

For complete results of the Summer Tour Tournaments, go to www.sprucemeadows.com

Show jumping action continues at Spruce Meadows with the "Masters" this September 8 - 12. Come then and enjoy the Equi-Fair, the ambience, and the superb competition!

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