Day 2 of the 'Continental', presented by Rolex
June 09, 2023
Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Ivory ICS © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Five Star Line Up for Today’s FEI 5* Competition
June 9, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - Today’s only FEI 5* competition was The Mustangs 1.55m jump off competition. Entries looked to challenge FEI Course Designer Marina Azevedo’s 550m track that featured 12 obstacles (15 jumping efforts), including the open water jump.
Nine entries successfully navigated the first round track clearing all the jumping efforts under the time allowed of 83s. Daniel Coyle (IRL) gave himself two chances at a first place finish but it was aboard Ivory ICS that he locked down the victory. Posting a jump off ride in a time of 45.06s he would not be caught. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), Kent Farrington (USA), Santiago Lambre (BRA) and Nayel Nassar (EGY) rounded out the top five placings respectively.
Conor Swail (IRL) & Gamble © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Irishman Conor Swail - In it to win it!
The Mission: Possible 1.45m jump off competition opened up the second day of the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex. Fifty-five horse/rider combinations started the $38,500 competition hoping to find their way to the winner’s circle and qualify for Sunday’s Canadian Utilities CSI2* Grand Prix.
Twelve athletes navigated the first round of the competition over the course designed by FEI Course Designer Marina Azevedo (BRA) and posted clear rounds advancing to the jump off. Spruce Meadows veteran and current world #6, Conor Swail (IRL) riding the Dutch Warmblood gelding Gamble, pushed through the finish line in a time of 38.51s to take his first win of the season.
Kyle King (USA) & Correct Blue SZ © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Luis Alejandro Plascencia (MEX) Jump Star SIH © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
All Alberta Ring
It was an afternoon start for athletes competing on the All Alberta Ring. The first competition was the Equus 1.35m that featured 30 competitors in the jump off competition. Nine returned for the jump off and Kyle King (USA) riding Correct Blue SZ was the fastest of all the double clears with a time of 34.66s.
The second competition on the All Alberta Ring was The Stud Farm 1.40m jump off competition. Only four horse/rider combinations passed all the tests of the first round, set out by FEI Course Designer Tom Holden (IRL), and proceeded into the jump off. Luis Alejandro Plascencia (MEX) aboard Jump Star SIH was the fastest clear round in the jump off, posting a time of 44.42s to take the win.
Taylor Wood (CAN) & New York’s Joy © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Samia Staehle of USA riding Cute S © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Angela Gomez Munoz of MEX riding Kingston Express © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) & Hector V.D. Papendijk © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Chinook Ring
Four competitions took place on the Chinook Ring today with courses all designed by FEI Course Designer Florencio Hernandez (MEX).
The Friends of the Meadows 1.10m started the day and American Samia Staehle riding Cute S took the victory, posting the fastest clear round of the day. The pair posted a time of 79.26s.
Next up was the Friends of the Meadows 1.20m competition. Her first time competing at Spruce Meadows and her first win, Angela Gomez Munoz of Mexico took first place. Riding Kingston Express, Gomez posted a double clear with a time of 37.61s in the jump off that was not beatable.
The Friends of the Meadows 1.25m launched the second half of the day on the Chinook Ring. Juan Jose Zendejas Salgado of Mexico riding Hector V.D. Papendijk put in a clear fast round in a time of 64.69s sealing his first victory of the season.
The fourth and final competition of the day on the Chinook Ring was The Crew 1.30m. Taylor Wood of Canada riding New York’s Joy was today’s final winner. With a double clear ride and jump off time of 42.66s, she took top spot in the competition.
