(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): Today the RBC Financial Group World Cup featured a little bit of everything one might expect at Spruce Meadows: world-class Show Jumping, live music and even Alberta’s famed “if you don’t like the weather wait five minutes” meteorological phenomenon.
The weather did nothing to hamper Beezie Madden (USA) as she celebrated Canada Day by winning the event which took place on Meadows on the Green.
Madden was one of the final entries to ride in the first round. She and her gold medal Olympic mount Authentic found themselves maneuvering around the course as hail stones bounced off the jumps.
“I kind of tuned that out,” says Madden. “Obviously it was a bit of a distraction, probably more for the horse than me.”
But the weather didn’t hold her back, after a delay to let the inclement weather pass, Madden and Authentic put in another amazing performance in the 11 horse jump-off, riding clear with the very fast time of 38.79.
“We went toward the end of the first round, so it was a nice break for both of us, he’s always ready to go,” says Madden about Authentic.
Will Simpson (USA) who also found himself riding through the deluge of hail didn’t have any trouble keeping the mare El Campeons Tosca focused on the task at hand.
“Tosca is such a go getter,” says Simpson. “She feels like a prize fighter. She just drags me down to the ring.”
After watching Madden, Simpson doubted his ability to match her speed.
“She was brilliant all the way through,” says Simpson. “You don’t see those kinds of rides very often.”
Simpson ended up finishing second to Madden with a clear round but a full second behind in 39.71. Rich Fellers (USA) and McGuinness rounded out the top three, finishing with a jump-off time of 41.96.
The top Canadians on Canada Day were rookie riders Kelley Small and Kim Farlinger who finished in fourth and fifth respectively.
Richard Spooner (USA) is now in play in the Molson Canadian Six Pack Series after winning the ConocoPhillips Canada Cup 1.45m earlier today on Meadows on the Green. If he wins another event in the six-part Series he will be eligible to win bonus prize money. John Anderson of Calgary finished second and Alberto Michan Halbinger of Mexico finished third.
The action at the “Canada One” Tournament continues tomorrow at 9:00 pm. The day’s feature event, the Esso Challenge will take place on Meadows on the Green at 2:00pm
For full results and schedule information, please visit http://www.sprucemeadows.com/.
ConocoPhillips Canada Cup (1.45m)
1. Richard Spooner/Live Fire/Agua Dulce, CA/0-76.06
2. John Anderson/Gesine 36/Calgary, AB/0-79.43
3. Alberto Michan Halbinger/Iva Tu’Du Rouet/Bosques Des Las Lomas, MEX/0-79.97
4. Beezie Madden/Conquest II/Cazenovia, NY/0-80.80
5. Santiago Lambre/Curant/Cuajimalpa, MEX/0-81.11
RBC Financial Group Cup (1.50m) World Cup
1. Beezie Madden/Authentic/Cazenovia, NY/0 – 38.79 (jump-off)
2. Will Simpson/El Campeons Tosca/Thousand Oaks, CA/0 – 39.17 (jump-off)
3. Rich Fellers/McGuinness/Wilsonville, OR/0 – 41.96 (jump-off)
4. Kelley Small/Calibur/Kanata, ON/0 – 42.32 (jump-off)
5. Kim Farlinger/Callisto/Annan, ON/0 – 44.32 (jump-off)
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