European Champion, Steve Guerdat (SUI), Wins Under the Lights
September 09, 2023
Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Albfuehren's Maddox cleared the Round 4 final fence height of 1.95m © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
European Champion, Steve Guerdat (SUI), Wins Under the Lights
September 8, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - Fans packed into the stands of the Spruce Meadows International Ring for the WestJet Evening of the Horse, to take in the action of the ATCO Electric Six Bar. The competition where each round, the jumps get taller.
Ten horse/rider combinations decided take on the challenge, hoping to add their names to a trophy that contains so many great riders. The competition began to unfold:
Round 1 Final Fence Height: 1.60m
Clear Riders: 9
Out: Fredrik Spetz (SWE)
Round 2 Final Fence Height: 1.70m
Clear Riders: 8
Out: Brian Morton (CAN)
Round 3 Final Fence Height: 1.85m
Clear Riders: 7
Out: Conor Swail (IRL)
Round 4 Final Fence Height: 1.95m
Clear Riders: 4
Out: Kyle King (USA), Nayel Nassar (EGY), John Whitaker (GBR)
Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Albfuehren's Maddox © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
After four rounds of competition, we were down to four riders for the final round of competition. Aaron Vale (USA), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Steve Guerdat (SUI) all proceeded to challenge the final round where the height of the final fence was 2.05m.
Guerdat was last to go after watching his fellow competitors each have two rails. He was in the rare situation where he could afford to have one down and still win. Currently ranked #3 in the world (and the current European Show Jumping Champion), aboard Albfuehren's Maddox, the pair did what they needed to do and jumped a respectable 4-fault round to take the victory single handed.
Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Commissar Pezi © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Martin Fuchs (SUI) wins the Tourmaline Oil Cup
The Tourmaline Oil Cup (1.60m) started tonight’s WestJet Evening of the Horse. Twenty-nine athletes rode through the Clock Tower, for some, their last chance to qualify for the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex competition on Sunday.
The challenging track was designed by FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and only four jumped clean first rounds to qualify for the jump off. Three of the four challenged the jump off track with Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) electing to save his horse for another day. Sweden’s Evelina Tovek, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Canada’s Mario Deslauriers stepped through the Clock Tower for a second time all hoping to make it to the winner’s circle.
Deslauriers and Tovek tried their best, but could not beat current world #5 ranked rider Fuchs, who would secure his second victory of the week.
Santiago Lambre (BRA) riding J'Adore Van Het Klinkhof © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Santiago Lambre (BRA) wins the Paramount Resource CSI2* Grand Prix
The Paramount Resources CSI2* Grand Prix (1.45m) was the first competition on the International Ring Friday of the 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. The top 2* riders from throughout the week now moved from the All Canada Ring to step through the iconic Clock Tower.
Only two riders were able to navigate the first round track set by FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and finish on no faults. Santiago Lambre (BRA) and Bretton Chad (CAN) advanced to the jump off. Lambre was first into the ring for the jump off and laid down a quick clear round with a time of 39.56s. Chad was quick wasn’t fast enough to catch Lambre as she posted a time of 40.66s.
Katie Laurie (AUS) takes first and second place in the PH & N Cup (1.30M) © Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano
Australia’s Katie Laurie with a one-two finish in the PH&N Cup (1.30m)
The PH & N Cup (1.30m) was the first competition to start the third day of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. Twelve competitors managed to navigate the first round of the competition clear to advance to the jump off - today’s track designed by FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN).
It was a competitive jump off field, and Australian Katie Laurie was on point today. With her two mounts Boom and Tulara Zirensky she took both first and second place respectively.
Hannah Gould (CAN) & Carousel's J'Adore © Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano
Two wins in two days for Hannah Gould (CAN)
The Horseware Ireland Cup (1.20m) was the final competition on the All Canada Ring for the week. Eight horse/rider combinations jumped clear first rounds and advanced to the jump off. Hannah Gould (CAN) and Carousel’s J’Adore have had a successful week at Spruce Meadows and the success continued today. The pair posted a clear fast round in a time of 46.03s to take the victory.
Navin Arora (Executive Vice President of TELUS & President of Business Solutions) and his wife Pooja joined us this evening to announce the winners of this year’s Name the Foal, presented by TELUS © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Our Foals Have Names!
Today we announced the winners of the 2023 Spruce Meadows Name the Foal, presented by TELUS. Over 60,000 names were received this year and we’re excited to have our winners as guests to this year’s ‘Masters’ Tournament.
Foal #1 – “Bold Ambition”
Born: April 4, 2023
Sire: Big Star
Dam’s Sire: Ramiro
Winner: Sarah Jones
From: Alliston, Ontario
Foal #2 – “J’adore”
Born: May 9, 2023
Sire: Jethro Tull
Dam’s Sire: Quidam's Rubin
Winner: Jocelyn Harrington
From: Victoria, British Columbia
Foal #3 – “Kokomo”
Born: April 30, 2023
Sire: Knighstars Spellcaster
Dam’s Sire: Sunny J'S Firecracker
Winner: Sherri Creber
From: Sangudo, Alberta
Congratulations to all our winners!
More Photos from Today
Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, presented by RE/MAX perform daily in the Demonstration Ring © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Enjoy a full day at Spruce Meadows © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Pia Fortmüller (CAN) will have dressage demonstrations in the Riding Hall over the weekend © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
The Spruce Meadows crew helps get the Floral Arranging Demonstrations ready daily © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
A young fan meets Team Canada Chef d’Equipe Ian Millar at the BMO Nations’ Cup Team Autograph Signing © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
The WestJet Evening of the Horse ware capped off with a concert by the Household Cavalry Band to Fireworks © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Blacksmith World Championships continued today © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
Nayel Nassar (EGY) in good form during the ATCO Electric Six Bar © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
This year is the 10th Anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
It’s a big jump… © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Country music star Brett Kissel assisted Kristi Beunder (Principal, Township Planning & Design) in the live auction at the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation “Unstoppable Fundraiser” © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
