Day 2 of the 'Pan American', presented by Rolex

^{Kent Farrington (USA) & Toulayna © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

Kent Farrington (USA) picks up a win in the Canadian Utilities Cup 1.55m

June 29, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - The Canadian Utilities Cup (1.55m) was the sole competition on the Meadows on the Green and the qualifier for Saturday’s Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex.

FEI Course Designer Gregory Bodo (FRA) set the first round track to feature 13 obstacles (16 jumping efforts) that included both a double and triple combination - all to be completed in 81 seconds or less. Seven pairs representing six countries, passed all the tests to post clear rounds and advance to the jump off, including Santiago Lambre (BRA) aboard two of his mounts.

Matthew Sampson (GBR) led the jump off and posted a quick clear round in a  time of 37.44s - putting the pressure on the remaining competitors. The leaderboard would see a couple changes and prior to the final horse on course, Darragh Kenny (IRL) was leading the way. The final rider on course was Kent Farrington (USA) and he had been itching for a win all summer. Riding the beautiful Toulayna, Farrington galloped over the finish line clear in a time of 35.57s to take the victory.

“Feels as good or better than ever (footing on Meadows on the Green). It has kind of a stadium feel to it, so it's a little bit different than the other rings - feels a little more contained. Still the same impressive jumps. And I thought, Great sport and great conditions.” - Kent Farrington (USA) on being back jumping on Meadows on the Green.

 ^{Nayel Nassar (EGY) riding Dorado de Riverland © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

Today’s Winners from the North American Ring

The competitions began today on the North American Ring with The Stud Farm 1.40m. It was a strong field of competitors with over 70 horse/rider combinations tackling the track set out by FEI Course Designer Anthony d’Ambrosio (USA). Fifteen combinations jumped clean first rounds and qualified for the jump off.

Today’s victory in The Stud Farm 1.40m belonged to Nayel Nassar (EGY) aboard Dorado de Riverland. The pair produced the fastest clear in the jump off with a time of 37.41s.

^{Katie Laurie (AUS) & Cera Caruso © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

The second competition on the North American Ring was the Halo Holdings 1.45m. Twenty-two horse/rider combinations faced the first round of competition but only three passed all the tests and advanced to the jump off.

Australian Olympic rider Katie Laurie riding the chestnut Cera Caruso bested them all. The pair produced a clear round in the jump off with a time of 43.02s which was good enough for the winner’s circle.

The Best of the Rest

 #505 Friends of the Meadows 1.10m
Ina Kai Barila LaLiberte (CAN) & Uranie Du Tillard
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

#509 Friends of the Meadows 1.30m
Nora Nauss (USA) & HipHop
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

^{McLain Ward & HH Azur at the 2022 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

The Journey Continues for McLain Ward (USA) in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping! Tune into Rogers Sportsnet (SN1) on Sunday, July 2 at 9pm ET to catch the 2h telecast of the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The action will all unfold straight from Aachen, Germany where Live Contender McLain Ward (USA) and the great mare, HH Azur, could claim the Grand Slam title.

For those unable to tune in at this time, you can catch the replay on Rogers Sportsnet on Tuesday, July 4 at 4:30pm ET - set your PVR!

More Photos from Today

Everybody was colour coordinated today © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley

Kent Farrington (USA) celebrates victory on the Meadows on the Green © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

This hot weather had us bringing out the big fans © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley

FEI Course Designer Gregory Bodo sets the fence for today’s jump off © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

Everyone’s goals © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley

Jumping right into the camera © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley

Reach for Toulayna over the signature fence © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk