The 'National' CSI5*/2*, presented by Rolex is Underway!
June 16, 2022
Patricio Pasquel (MEX) & Babel win the PwC Cup
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Patricio Pasquel (MEX) Wins the PwC Cup
Spruce Meadows (June 16, 2022) – A well rounded field of top international athletes stepped through the iconic Spruce Meadows Clock Tower onto the International Ring for the PwC Cup 1.55M. Thirty-eight horse/rider combinations representing 7 countries were tested over 12 obstacles (15 efforts) with a tight time allowed of 72 seconds set by FEI Course Designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) in the first round of competition. Ten of athletes jumped clear and returned for the jump off against the clock.
The jump off belonged to Patricio Pasquel (MEX) who guided his veteran partner Babel to the fastest clear in the jump-off to defeat Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Mario Deslauriers (CAN) to take the gold.
Pasquel was ecstatic to return to the winners circle at Spruce Meadows with his 15 year old home bred gelding. "We (Team Mexico) are using the 'National' Tournament to select our team for the World Equestrian Games" Patricio Pasquel on competing at Spruce Meadows. "There is no better place to prepare your horses for a championship."
The top 5 riders from this competition have now qualified for the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex on Saturday.
Kent Farrington (USA) in the 2021 RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
#5 Ranked in the World Conor Swail (IRL) Win the Bantrel Cup
The Bantrel Cup kicked off competition on the International Ring at Spruce Meadows for the 2022 Tournament Season. Over 50 entries tackled the track laid down by FEI Course Designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) for the one round competition. Riders needed to be clear and quick if they wanted to reach the winner's circle. The World #5 ranked rider, Ireland's Conor Swail, riding Nadal Hero & DB could not be caught. The pair laid down the unbeatable time of 68.36s - just over 2 seconds faster then Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (MEX) who posted a time of 70.32s. It was the 9 year old stallion’s first trip around the International Ring and he handled it brilliantly.
The top 5 placed riders from this competition have now qualified for the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex on Saturday.
Jordan Coyle (IRL) wins the Mercer Cup 1.45M
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Over 200 Round of Show Jumping on the North American Ring
The North American Ring at Spruce Meadows facilitated over 200 rounds of show jumping between four competitions on day one of the Spruce Meadows 'National', presented by Rolex.
It was an early start for rider's in the Recon Metal Cup where over 55 horse/rider combinations tackled the one round competition course set by FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN). Young Canadian rider Sam Walker would best the field posting the fastest clear round with a time of 67.43s. Riders who placed in the top 5 of this competition qualify for Saturday's AON Winning Round.
The Mercer Cup featured a number of competitors looking to make it to the winners circle. Jordan Coyle (IRL) aboard Ballyoskill Big Bucks laid down the fastest clear round with a time of 70.95s. The top 5 placings from this competition qualify for Sunday's ATCO CSI2* Grand Prix.
Over 100 horse/rider combinations started the 1.30M competition scheduled for today that became split into two competitions to round out the day on the North American Ring. Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) aboard Hector V.D Papendijk was the fastest clear ride in the Friends of the Meadows 1.30M and Matthew Sampson (GBR) riding Evora BJX was the fastest clean ride of the Moore & Co 1.30M.
Images of the Day
Sam Walker (CAN) wins the Recon Metal Jumper 1.40M
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Walking the course can be a family outing.
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Evora BJX winners of the Moore & Co Cup 1.30M
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Juan Jose Zendejas & Hector V.D. Papendijk winners of the Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.30M
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
