'National' - Day 3
June 14, 2024
Breaking: Ballard Packs ANOTHER One-Two Punch
Extraordinary Erynn comes first and second in 5* test two weeks on the trot
Golden gal Erynn Ballard (CAN) pulls off a virtually impossible second consecutive one-two placement in tonight’s RBC Capital Markets Cup ahead of tomorrow’s 1.60m RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex. Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
June 14, 2024
June 14, 2024 (Spruce Meadows) — Canada’s Erynn Ballard pulled off another extraordinary first-second 5* finish in tonight’s 1.50m RBC Capital Markets Cup, her second one-two placement atop the leaderboard in a matter of two weeks.
Ballard, currently the second-ranked female show jumping athlete in the FEI World Rankings, placed first in the jump-off round with prized gelding Gakhir, coming in at 36.88s. Her final ride with Libido Van’t Hofken, at 37.47s, saw her nab second spot as well, beating a starting field of 35 other riders, six of whom were up against Ballard in the jump-off.
The placements were a flip-flop on Ballard’s one-two placement in last week’s ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex, where she took top spot with Libido, and came second with Gakhir, in The Mustangs 1.55m competition.
Today’s win, during the ongoing ‘National,’ presented by Rolex, was hailed as ‘virtually unprecedented’ at this level of competition, let alone to happen in such close succession.
It was only last month that Ballard claimed her first-ever CSI5* Grand Prix victory, at Langley, B.C.’s Thunderbird Show Park.
“I think that I’m so lucky,” a beaming Ballard told us following tonight’s event. “There is nothing that makes you more confident than winning, and I have certainly been on a roll.
“Every time I go in now, I think that I have the chance to win, and it makes me that little bit faster and a little bit more competitive.
“And also, when you’re already winning, and you go last in the jump-off, you can give it all.
“So maybe along the way I'm teaching myself something about being faster. Maybe I'm teaching my horses a little bit more about being faster. It’s just all coming together.
“When you're on a roll, ride the wave. There's nothing better. Confidence is a great thing.”
Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Linguini De La Pomme Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Nassar Nails Second Win of the Day
Egypt’s Nayel Nassar took first place in the ATCO Cup 1.45m, his second win of the day, after he also won the Martime Travel Cup 1.40m.
Nassar, atop Belgian Warmblood Linguini De La Pomme, beat 10 other jump-off riders emerging from a competition of 28 starting athletes.
In this event, Ballard, with Fave D’Authuit, finished just .27s behind Nassar’s 36.00s.
John Perez Bohm, of Colombia, rounded out the top three with with Aztlan on the 12 obstacle, 15 effort, course designed by renowned FEI course designer Olaf Petersen Jr, in the second International Ring contest of the day.
For complete results from today visit: sprucemeadows.com/live/
Jos Verlooy (BEL) with Parise van den Dael Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Verlooy Finally Gets It Jos Right
Belgian rider Jos Verlooy took first in the AltaGas Cup 1.45m this afternoon after a string of seconds in the Summer Series so far.
Verlooy, with Parise van den Dael, nailed the International Ring jump-off, beating a field of five other qualifying riders from a starting group of 27, coming in with a fast clear round at 40.46s.
It was Verlooy’s first victory after near misses in The Friends of the Meadows 1.45m on Wednesday, day one of the ‘National,’ presented by Rolex, and in the 1.45m-1.50m Canadian Utilities Cup last week, on the final day of the ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex, having come second in both competitions.
In today’s first competition on the International Ring, Verlooy was followed by Canadians Nicole Walker, with Atout Des Trambles, and hotly tipped 2024 Olympic team candidate Kyle Timm, on Atomica Des Sequoias Z.
For complete results from today visit: sprucemeadows.com/live/
Excitement All Around
The grounds of Spruce Meadows were buzzing heading into the weekend, with fast-paced action also on the All Canada Ring, the All Alberta Ring, and the Chinook Ring, on day three of the ‘National’, presented by Rolex.
Here are some fantastic photos of our our first-place finishers:
Charlie Jacobs (USA) wins the Friends of the Meadows 1.45m on the All Canada Ring, atop Dilajo OH Z. Pictured with Spruce Meadows presentations lead Jennifer Coleman. Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Nayel Nassar’s (EGY) first win of the day in the Maritime Travel Cup 1.40m competition on the All Canada Ring, with Donvier. Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Clara Zdunich (CAN) leaps to first place with Snow Lady in the 1.00m Coril Holdings competition where she also came second with GCS Rosie. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Sabrina Von Buttler (CAN) soars to first place, along with Del Amie, in the 1.10m Coril Holdings competition on the All Alberta Ring. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Xaviera Maurer Buch (MEX) and Easy Blue were victorious in the Coril Holdings 1.20m competition. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Claudio Fizz takes Canada’s Sofia Popescu to the top of the leaderboard in the Coril Holdings 1.20m Junior/Amateur. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Georgia Knight (CAN), on Ecolano VS Romano, took top spot in the Coril Holdings 1.30m Junior/Amateur, the only competition on the Chinook Ring today. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Roll on day four of the ‘National’, presented by Rolex…we’ll see you back here tomorrow! Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
