Will Simpson (USA) scored big on the second day of the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament. The American set the pace in the first event of the day the Akita Drilling Cup and couldn’t be beat in the days feature event the CANA Cup, resulting in a rare “Spruce Meadows Double”.
The 1.5m Akita Drilling Cup is a qualifier for Sunday’s CN International Grand Prix. The event was briefly interrupted by extreme weather and resumed after a forty-five minute delay with seven riders competing in the jump-off. Fan favourite, Calgarian Jonathan Asselin, along with his mare Rayana Chiara, had the lead with only Will Simpson to go. Simpson was riding his gelding Carlsson Vom Dach and the team was fast. Posting an astounding time of 36.162 the pair claimed victory and their spot in Sunday’s CN International Grand Prix.
Akita Drilling Cup top 10 –
1- Will Simpson USA Carlsson Vom Dach
2- Jonathan Asselin CAN Rayana Chiara
3- Nick Skelton GBR Arko III
4- John Whitaker GBR Casino
5- Mario Deslauriers CAN Paradigm
6- Karen Cudmore CAN Ocelot
7- Jill Henselwood CAN Special Ed
8- Beezie Madden USA Desilvio
9- Ian Millar CAN Redefin
10- Tim Stockdale GBR Fresh Direct Animation
The feature 1.6m event of the day, the CANA Cup, was jumped in perfect conditions with only five of 37 entries earning a spot in the jump off. One of those to make it through to the jump off was none other than Will Simpson. Simpson and his mare El Campeons Tosca looked to beat the pace set by leader Richard Spooner (USA).
Quick turns and a fast pace through the jump off course set by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) lead to victory. In the end they finished barely one second faster than Spooner and laid claim to Simpson’s second victory of the day. It is an astounding feat to win two competitions during the whole week of the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament let alone one day.
Simpson was amazed by his horses, “I have two horses that are scopy, fast and careful. It’s real nice to have.” With thanks to his horses Simpson took the lead in his second victory lap of the day.
CANA Cup Top 10 –
1- Will Simpson (USA) El Campeons Tosca
2- Richard Spooner (USA) Cristallo
3- Jaime Azcarraga (MEX) Presley Boy
4- John Whitaker (GBR) Peppermill
5- Michael Whitaker (GBR) Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes
6- Holger Wulshner (GER) Clausen
7- Heinrich Engemann (GER) Aboyeur W
8- Hubert Bourdy (FRA) Toulon
9- Nick Skelton (GBR) Russel
10- Tim Stockdale (GBR) Fresh Direct Corlato
Tomorrow’s competition begins in the Spruce Meadows International Ring at 5:00pm with the $100,000 EnCana Cup which is followed by the excitement of the ATCO Electric Six Bar, under the lights.
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