Jumping into the 'National' Weekend

^{Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) & Otto BH © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

An Evening Win for Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) in the RBC Capital Markets Cup

June 16, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - Today’s final competition on the International Ring was the RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m. Thirty-nine horse/rider combinations challenged FEI Course Designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) that was 455m in length and featured 12 obstacles (15 efforts).

Ten of the eleven who posted clear rides in the first round elected to jump off. While Conor Swail (IRL) thought he may have had it in the bag with a clear jump off round in a time of 36.73s, Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire proved him wrong. Aboard the stallion Otto BH, Derbyshire sailed through the finish line, clear, in an extremely quick time 35.84s.

“It’s a whole different ballgame out there (the International Ring). Very much reminds of Aachen and Hickstead - big famous rings - and it’s very special to ride in them” - Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) on stepping through the iconic Spruce Meadows Clocktower onto the International Ring.

 ^{Conor Swail (IRL) & Gamble © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

Conor Swail (IRL) and Gamble pick up a victory in the ATCO Cup 1.45m.

The ATCO Cup 1.45m was the final competitions where athletes could qualify for one of the 35 spots for Sunday’s ATCO CSI2* Grand Prix. Over 50 competitors entered the jump off competition hoping to post first-round clears and qualify for the jump off.

Twelve of the riders jumped the first round of competition clear over the track designed by FEI Course Designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER). Conor Swail (IRL) riding Gamble laid down the fastest clear round in the jump off with a time of 36.51s to take the victory. Swail and Gamble have finished 58 rounds at 1.45m in their career together and have a 42% average of ending up in the top 10 of those competitions*.

^{*stats provided by Jumpr App}

 ^{Sutton Friesen (CAN) & Adare Ya To © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

North American Ring Winners

Two competitions took place today on the North American Ring on Friday of the ‘National’, presented by Rolex. FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN) built two jump off competition tracks to challenge the athletes in their respective competitions.

First up was the Maritime Travel Cup 1.35m. Twenty-three horse/rider combinations started the jump off competition, nine of which jumped a clear first round to advance to the jump off.

Under blue skies in the Alberta Foothills, it was a win for Canada. Sutton Friesen aboard Adare Ya To sailed through the finish line of the jump off clear with a time of 43.69s.

^{Alexis Sokolov of the United States riding Fasole Du Seigneur © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

The AltaGas Cup 1.40m welcomed over 40 competitors to the ring this afternoon. The course designed by FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN) featured 12 obstacles (15 efforts) that had to be completed in a time of 80 seconds or less.

The athletes were on it today and 18 horses/rider combinations jumped the first round clear and qualified for the jump off. It was Alexis Sokolov of the United States riding Fasole Du Seigneur who bested them all. The pair posted a clear round and time of 46.99s.

Best of the Rest - Today’s Winners

The Crew 1.30m - Rocky Mountain Ring
Cassio Rivetti & Goldjunge 158
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

Friends of the Meadows 1.10m - Rocky Mountain Ring
Lucy Phares (USA) & Juliana
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

Friends of the Meadows 1.20m - Rocky Mountain Ring
Nyah Chernoff (CAN) & Fair Play D'Esquelmes
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

More Photos from Today

^{Did you know? Horses wear studs (called corks) in their horseshoes to help them get better traction on the grass © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis}

^{Oops! You can’t win them all. © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

^{Ian Millar & Mrs. Southern enjoyed watching a competition earlier today © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

^{Split down the middle © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

^{The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) put on a tent pegging demonstration in the new Demo Ring in the Upper Plaza © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis}

^{It can be function over form. © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

^{Sometimes you get jumped a little loose © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

^{Fans enjoy the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) musical ride in the Spruce Meadows Demo Ring © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis}