Friday at the Spruce Meadows “North American” show jumping fans got a chance to see a different style of competition. Both the Pepsi Challenge and the Lafarge Cup were Winning Round Events. These are jump-off style competitions where the top 8 riders move on two the second round. The rider’s slate is then wiped clear and the winner is decided by the best ride of that round.
With eight riders moving on to the second round of the evenings feature event, the $50,000 Lafarge Cup each horse/rider combination dug into the round with the speed and skill to win. Better than the rest on this evening were Rich Fellers (USA) and his stallion Flexible. The pair didn’t spare a second finishing clear and nearly 3 seconds faster than their closest competitor. The win was important to Fellers who loves riding at Spruce Meadows. “It’s just super special. It’s different winning at Spruce Meadows than winning anywhere else,” said Fellers. “It just means something special”
Moving into Saturday, Spruce Meadows is set to break attendance records for the “North American” Tournament. To date a record 46,030 fans have enjoyed top international sport, with crowds of 40-50,000 expected each of the final two days.
It was the perfect evening in the Spruce Meadows International Ring, with a warm sun, light breeze and ten exceptional athletes sharing their victory with the crowd of excited fans.
Top 10 – Lafarge
1- Rich Fellers (USA) Flexible
2- Chris Kappler (USA) Maserati
3- Norman Dello Joio (USA) Malcolm
4- Kyle King (USA) Spitfire
5- Lauren Hough (USA) Strandgarden’s Mercedes Z
6- Leslie Howard (USA) Lennox Lewis 2
7- Andrew Welles (USA) Cypria
8- Laura Faulkner (USA) ABC Fantasie
9- Eric Lamaze (CAN) Mayhem
10- Jeanne Hobbs (USA) Nielson B
Top 10 – Pepsi
1- Chris Pratt (CAN) Conquest of Paradiso
2- Lauren Hough (USA) Quick Study
3- Schuyler Riley (USA) Lapacco
4- Cody Auer (USA) Jolie Dame du Marais
5- Darragh Kerins (IRL) Night Train
6- Karl Cook (USA) Notories Utopia
7- Carolyn Kelly (USA) Rulanda
8- Will Simpson (USA) Carlsson Vom Dach
9- Chris Kappler (USA) Lennongrad
10- Mandy Porter (USA) Enfuego
Tomorrow features the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the $75,000 Canada Post Cup. The events which take place in the Spruce Meadows International Ring begin at 11:00 am.
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