Friday of the Spruce Meadows 'National', presented by Rolex
June 17, 2022
Kent Farrington (USA) & Orafina win the RBC Capital Markets Cup
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
First win of the Summer Series for Kent Farrington (USA)
Spruce Meadows (June 17, 2022) - The RBC Capital Markets Cup was the final opportunity for riders not previously qualified to gain entry into tomorrow's RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex. Thirty-three athletes entered the evening competition hoping for a trip to the winners circle. Of those who completed the first round, only eight produced clear rounds and advanced to the jump off.
Katherine Strauss (USA), a recent university graduate coached by John and Beezie Madden, posted an early clear ride and then posted a clear jump off time to beat of 43.25s. The only rider to put in a faster round was former world #1 ranked rider Kent Farrington (USA) aboard Orafina. Farrington put in a clear jump off time of 41.27s.
"It's great to be back at Spruce Meadows, I've brought a big group of horses (with me). I think it's great sport and great for the horses to be here (Spruce Meadows)." Kent Farrington following his win of the 2022 RBC Capital Markets Cup.
The top 5 riders from this competition along with those with the most accumulated points from competitions earlier this week have now qualified for the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex on Saturday. Click HERE for more information on the qualification process.
Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Uris de la Roque
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Canada's Mario Deslauriers wins the ATCO Cup
The ATCO Cup 1.50M marked the start of competition on the International Ring for the second day of the Spruce Meadows 'National', presented by Rolex. Thirty-three horse/rider combinations took on the challenging track set by FEI Course Designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA). Three duos passed all the tests in round one and returned for the jump off against the clock.
Kyle King (USA), Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Conor Swail (IRL) were clear in round one and proceeded into the jump off. King was first into the jump off and did his best to lay down a quick time but carried 8 faults to his final score. Deslauriers laid down a quick clear ride with a time of 41.65s that could not be beat by Swail who followed closely with a time of 41.77s.
The Canadian veteran, who was Canada’s lone show jumper at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, continued his successful start to the 2022 Spruce Meadows season and looks to carry his winning ways into weekend competition.
Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) & Tino la Chapelle win the 2022 AltaGas Cup
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Another Win on Day 2 for Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX)
It was another big day on the North American Ring at Spruce Meadows with 56 entries in the AltaGas Cup 1.45M and over 85 entries in the Friends of the Meadows 1.40M. Both competitions required riders to complete a clear first round of competition before coming back for a jump off in order to have any chance at victory.
The AltaGas cup had 17 riders make it into the the jump off including previous day winners Mario Deslauriers (CAN), Matthew Sampson (GBR) and Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX). Zendejas aboard Tino La Chapelle would claim the victory with Deslauriers and Sampson coming in second and third respectively.
Over 85 horse/rider combinations started the Friends of the Meadows 1.40M competition on the North American Ring. With 21 of the entries clear in the first round, promising a competitive jump off. Charlise Casas (USA) was the fastest in the jump off, posting a clear round in a time of 41.11s.
Images of the Day
Foal #1 & Foal #3 played on the International Ring during a live introduction to the 2022 Name the Foal, presented by TELUS contest
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
It takes a team in this sport.
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Kent Farrington (USA) came in first and fourth in the RBC Capital Markets Cup
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Charlise Casas (USA) wins the Friends of the Meadows 1.40M.
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
