RIDE, White and Blue!

A Fourth of July Parade of Americans as Yanks Take First and Second In Jayman BUILT Cup

Exhilarating Grand Prix qualifier on day two of ‘North American’

Independence Neigh: Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) looks on, helmet on heart, as the American flag is raised following his win in the Jayman BUILT Cup 1.55m, atop Cornet’s Cambridge. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

July 04, 2024

July 04, 2024 (Spruce Meadows) —  It was a sea of red, white, and blue as Americans Nicholas Dello Joio, on Cornet’s Cambridge, and Elena Haas, with Claude, came first and second in today’s Fourth of July Jayman BUILT Cup.

The 1.55m International Ring competition — the qualifier for this summer’s biggest Grand Prix event on Saturday — started with 64 but was whittled down to just nine jump-off finalists, with Mexico’s Patricio Pasquel and Chakkalou PS arriving third.

The top 40 riders from today’s event will advance to the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, where Dello Joio will follow the same advice his show jumping legend father, Norman, gave him today, for guiding Cornet’s Cambridge.

“Dad was basically like, you know, put him in drive and keep him in cruise control,” Dello Joio, 35, said.

“He loves galloping on that big open field. I mean, especially in the second round, he didn’t really have to try. You just kind of turn him loose at his own natural pace.

“He’s big but he moves like a thoroughbred. It’s unbelievable for such a big horse. He’s so light on his feet, which makes him catlike in those jump-offs.

“He’s fast enough without any gas on the fire.”

Dello Joio, who is back in top form following surgeries on both hips and his groin just last year, planned to mark his Fourth of July win sensibly.

He said: “No celebrating tonight. We’ll be back out here tomorrow morning. We’ve got another big day ahead.”

But there was room for a little fun, as Dello Joio made a cheeky dig at his Canadian hosts, referring to last month’s Edmonton Oilers loss in the Stanley Cup finals.

“I think between this and the Panthers winning the Cup, I’m pretty happy being up here in Canada,” said Dello Joio, who is from Wellington, Florida.

He will be joined on Saturday by a host of world-class riders including Canadians Vanessa Mannix, Ben Asselin, Amy Millar, Mario Deslauriers, and Tiffany Foster.

Scroll down to see more of today’s winners…

For complete results from today visit: sprucemeadows.com/live/

Haas About That: Elena Haas (USA) narrowly misses out on back-to-back 5* victories, coming second in today’s Jayman BUILT Cup, with Claude, after yesterday’s triumph in the Friends of the Meadows 1.50m, with Ogue Bt Special. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

Another American Woman: Laura Hazlett (USA) and Avianna jump to victory in the Friends of the Meadows 1.45m. Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko

A Nice Gold & Bronze: A grinning Luis Alejandro Plascencia O, of Mexico, takes first and third place in the Friends of the Meadows Jr/Am 1.40m with champion mares Zara Del Pinar, pictured, and Elisa BJX. Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko

Riding High: Calgary’s Justin Prather takes a leap aboard Czech Warmblood mare Grazie, before winning the Friends of the Meadows 1.30m on the All Alberta Ring. Spruce Meadows Media/David Moll

Flyin’ Ryan: Emily Ryan, yet another American to win today, with Galant M, taking the Friends of the Meadows Jr/Am 1.30m. Spruce Meadows Media/David Moll

A Great Chernoff Events: Stella Chernoff (CAN) and GK Caamp take the 1.20m Friends of the Meadows. Spruce Meadows Media/Kevin Udahl

Rail-ly Great: Stefania De Felice (USA) and One Eleven III in the Friends of the Meadows Jr/Am 1.20m. Spruce Meadows Media/Kevin Udahl 

Top of the Fields: Joker BH takes Jeffery Fields (USA) to the top of the class in the 1.10m Friends of the Meadows. Spruce Meadows Media/Kevin Udahl

All Smiles: Brian Morton, from Team Spruce Meadows, tips his cap after a win with Ormette H&H in the Friends of the Meadows 1.00m. Spruce Meadows Media/Kevin Udahl