Nayel Nassar (EGY) Wins the $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup
July 08, 2023
Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Coronado win the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1.60m) © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Nayel Nassar (EGY) is Victorious in the $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1.60m)
July 8, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - The stage was set for the $1,000,0000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Riders qualified throughout the week for the opportunity to step foot through the Clock Tower and take a piece of the purse. Thirty-five horse/rider combinations featured on the order of go for the two-round 5* Grand Prix, the top twelve placed horses would return for the second round. After two rounds if there are still riders tied with faults for first place, it will come down to a jump off.
The first round was an impressive track that spanned 590m with 14 obstacles (17 jumping efforts). Five athletes came through with 4 faults that carried to round two while seven pairs were clear.
Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Coronado © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
The twelve athletes representing seven nations returned for the second round of competition in order or reverse merit. Four of those twelve powered through the second round 10 obstacles (12 jumping efforts) and produced double clear round. Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP), Nayel Nassar (EGY), Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Brian Cournane (USA) now had to face off in a jump off.
Moya was first into the ring and put the pressure on the rest of his competitors posting his third clear round of the day - now everyone else had to be faster. Nassar used the speed a scope of his 14 year-old gelding Coronado to his advantage. The galloped through the finish line in a time of 35.58s to take the win. Deslauriers and Cournane followed with valiant efforts, but both had rails and finished in third and fourth respectively.
Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Coronado © Spruce Meadows Media/Jim Wells
“This is just an unparalleled experience being able to show here, especially with the crowds that come in on the weekend. It really feels like it’s (Spruce Meadows) come back to live (after the Global Pandemic). It’s just such a special place (Spruce Meadows). It feels great to walk into the International Ring - the ambience is second to none.” - Nayel Nassar (EGY) on competing at Spruce Meadows.
Patricio Pasquel (MEX) & Chakkalou PS © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Patricio Pasquel (MEX) wins the AKITA Drilling Winning Round
First up on the International Ring this morning was the AKITA Drilling Winning Round (1.50m). The top 30 riders from earlier in the week qualified for the exciting two round competition. Unlike other competitions this week, the top 10 horses from round one of competition would come back for the “winning round”. If there are more than 10 clears, only the fastest 10 return.
Nine combinations jumped clear, and the fastest four-fault ride made it into the top 10. Patricio Pasquel (MEX) has been working towards a win all summer. Aboard Chakkalou PS, the pair jumped clear in round one to advance to the winning round. The pressure was on to jump double clear, and while a number of riders had quick times, a rail kept them out of the winner’s circle. Pasquel bested the other 9 combinations posting a clear, quick ride in the winning round with a time of 53.97s to secure the win.
Patricio Pasquel (MEX) & Chakkalou PS © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Over 15 competitions at the 1.50m height, Pasquel and Chakkalou PS have a clear round rate of 40% and are in the top 10 placings 57% of the time.
*stats courtesy of JUMPR App
Kara Chad (CAN) & Curraghgraigue Obos Flight © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Kara Chad (CAN) wins the AVIVA Ovation Cup (1.40m)
The AVIVA Ovation Cup (1.40m) was a winning round competition on the North American Ring first thing this morning. Twenty-eight horses qualified and elected to compete in the two round competition - the top 10 horses from the first round advancing to a second round.
The 10 riders returning for the second round represented 6 nations, Canada with four chances to take top spot. Kara Chad (CAN) has been knocking at the door for a victory all summer. Today aboard Curraghgraigue Obos Flight, she galloped through the finish line with a clear round and untouchable time of 47.56s.
Camilla Siekmann (USA) stood in for Kara Chad during the presentations ceremony © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
The pair have a great set of stats* at the 1.40m level with a 67% clear round rate and are in the top 10 placings 57% of the time (over 27 competitions).
*stats courtesy of JUMPR App
Best of the Rest
#612 Mission: Possible 1.30m
Nora Nauss (USA) & HipHop
© Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
#607 Friends of the Meadows 1.20m
Makenna Lemstra (CAN) & London vd Breemeersen
© Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyzsko
A number of bands took part in today’s Military Tattoo Performance © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Join us for Derby Day at Spruce Meadows!
In addition to top international show jumping, Spruce Meadows Salutes the Canadian Military and fans will be treated to a number of traditional military displays and pageantry. For the final day, fans will be able to watch the Feu de Joie on the International Ring and a musical Military Tattoo.
The inaugural Spruce Meadows Military Tattoo will treat you to performances by The Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Scottish Power Pipe Band; one of the world's leading Grade 1 Pipe Bands featuring musicians from Scotland, N Ireland, Toronto, Vancouver, and Chicago. The sounds of traditional massed Pipes and Drums will accompany Dancers from the Keltika Highlands who have partnered with the Calgarian-based Campbell School of Highland Dance to bring a fusion of dance and music from across the world to the Spruce Meadows.
Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) put on a tent pegging demonstration in the Demonstration Ring in the Upper Plaza © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyzsko
Fans can also enjoy a variety of fun and exciting entertainment around the grounds. From the Prairie Dog, presented by Re/Max performances and the talented Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) that will be located up in our new Demonstration Ring to family friendly activities in the CGI Kid's Zone - there’s something for everyone. Vendors for the MARKT. will be set up in Horizons Pavilion and Founders Plaza for a great shopping experience.
The berries for the Berries and Bubbles provided by Driscoll’s and Campari © Spruce Meadows Media/Jim Wells
For the first 500 people on Saturday (July 8) and Sunday (July 9) dress to impress and wear your fancy hats to receive berries + bubbles, thanks to Driscoll's and Campari, at the Aperol Piazza in the lower plaza. This is also the last week to see this years’ foals for Name the Foal, presented by TELUS. Get your names in as the contest end August 4, 2023!
Foal #3 is a mini appaloosa looking for a name that starts with a letter “K” © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
GlobeQuest: The Orb Odyssey continues during the ‘North American’, presented by Rolex. 50 Orbs will be hidden and ready to be hunted throughout the week. When you find one of these remarkable Orbs, your journey takes an exciting turn. Nestled at the bottom of each Orb, you'll find a QR code waiting to be scanned. This QR code will take you to our dedicated registration site, where you can enter your discovery into the contest. Just a few taps on your smartphone, and you'll be one step closer to the grand prize. And yes–you get to KEEP your beautiful Orb!
Please remember, ONE ORB PER FAMILY PLEASE- we want to give many people the opportunity to find one! 87% of Orbs hidden this year have been registered.
More Photos from Today
Sergio Alverez Moya (ESP) must have had a good joke for Nayel Nassar (EGY) during the Press Conference © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
A number of bands took part in today’s Military Tattoo Performance © Spruce Meadows Media/Jim Wells
Riders awaiting the course walk for the second round of the $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup © Spruce Meadows Media/Jim Wells
Taking a sharp corner © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
A little miscommunication on the All Alberta Ring this morning (both horse and rider are okay) © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyzsko
Ian Allison (Sr. Vice President, Sport & Media, Spruce Meadows) chats will winner Patricio Pasquel (MEX) on his way to the winner’s circle © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
The lantern fence from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics might not be as bright © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Today Spruce Meadows Salute the Military © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
The open water will feature in tomorrow’s Sun Life Derby © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Get fancy with us for Derby Day tomorrow at Spruce Meadows! © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Ready to enter the International Ring © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyzsko
