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Howard Rides Clear While Henselwood Scores Hat-Trick

July 9, 2025

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): “I knew we were going to have a nice day,” beams American Leslie Howard after winning the Chrysler Classic on the final day of the “North American” Tournament and five-week long Spruce Meadows “Summer Tour.”

She and her Dutch gelding Youp, rode the 10th clear round in the 17-year history of the Chrysler Classic in a competition dominated by unlucky breaks and dropped rails. “He felt so good,” says Howard. “He’s just so good about naturals that he practically does them with his eyes closed,” referring to all the permanent obstacles on course that make up a derby event.

Logging the 11th clear in the event’s history, Mexico’s Santiago Lambre forced a jumpoff when he and Curant rode an impressive clear right after Howard. In the shortened jump-off, both riders dropped a rail at the Chrysler signature fence that forced them to jump it at a 45 degree angle. In the end it was Howard’s good fortune when Lambre slightly altered his line to the final combination and knocked another rail down.

“I tried to go clear because I knew could not get the time,” says Lambre of Howard’s
very fast jump-off time of 36.19. In the end Lambre ended up with 8 faults and a time of 40.03. Third place went to Richard Spooner (USA) on Cristallo.

“Super” Mario Deslauriers was back on form today winning the day’s first feature event, the Sun Life Financial Reach for the Sun.

Despite some top placings with his younger horses through the Spruce Meadows “Summer Tour,” Deslauriers was struggling in the International Open competitions. But his luck returned this morning when he and his 11 year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Naomi came back last in the 9 horse jump-off, posting a clear round and a fast time of 50.92.

“Paradigm and Naomi took a little time to get going,” says Deslauriers. “But Naomi
finished great today. It was a nice finish to the circuit.”

Americans Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Susan Artes came in second and third with
times of 52.38 and 53.50 respectively. It was a hat-trick for Jill Henselwood when she became the first rider ever to win three consecutive Spruce Meadows North American Championships TM.

Henselwood’s 8th place finish in the Chrysler Classic helped her to claim victory, despite a refusal at the bottom of the grass bank that nearly unseated her.
“I remember Bob (Henselwood) said, ‘Just make sure you finish’ because the points were so tight,” laughs Henselwood. “So there I am dangling down at the neck thinking, ‘Don’t fall off.”

Lisa Silverman of New York took home the silver medal and Beezie Madden (USA) took
home bronze.

Spruce Meadows’ next major tournament is the “Masters” CSIO, September 6 – 10.

Sunlife Finacial Reach for the Sun 1.50m
1. Mario Deslauriers/Naomi/Bromont, QC/ 0 – 50.92 Jump Off
2. Francie Steinwedell-Carvin/Ness-Go/La Canada, CA/ 0 – 52.38 Jump Off
3. Susan Artes/Presto B/S Pasadena, CA/ 0 – 53.50 Jump Off
4. Lisa Silverman/Flubber Cocoy/New York, NY/0 – 54.99 Jump Off
5. Richard Spooner/Air Time/Agua Dulce, CA/ 4 – 51.67 Jump Off
Chrysler Classic 1.60m

1. Leslie Howard/Youp/Westport, CT/ 4 – 36.91 Jump Off
2. Santiago Lambre/Curant/Cuajimalpa, Mex/ 8 – 40.03 Jump Off
3. Richard Spooner/Cristallo/Agua Dulce, CA/ 4 – 143.57
4. Alberto Michan /Iva Tu’Du Rouet/Mexico City, MEX/

Written by Spruce Meadows · Filed Under Contributors, North American Tournament, Spruce Meadows 
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