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Canada Day celebrations at Spruce Meadows

Jul 2, 2012

Canada Day competition started off with the 1.50 meter West Canadian Cup, with 34 horse/rider combinations on the playing field. As predicted, Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) created a tough track for the riders.

Four combinations moved on into the jump off, with only one Canadian among them. 2008 Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) saw to it that Canadians had their win on Canada Day, aboard his 10 year old Warmblood mare, Coriana Van Klapscheut. This marks Lamaze's second FEI win at Spruce Meadows this season, after taking the RSA Cup during the 'Continental' Tournament.

Although it was Canada Day, the American national anthem sounded in the Meadows on the Green after Ashlee Bond (USA) won the $100,000 ESSO Challenge World Cup Grand Prix. Thirty four horse/rider combinations saddled up to tackle the difficult course, also designed by Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA). Again, only four combinations manoeuvred through the track to move into the jump off. This is Bond's first major victory at Spruce Meadows this season, after her mount, Cadett 7, was injured just over a year ago. The 15 year old Holstein gelding was in top form today, however. "It was a long process" commented Bond on the road to recovery. "It took a while, but we got here, and it feels great. This is the biggest win of my career."

West Canadian Cup - Top 10

1- Eric Lamaze, CAN, Coriana Van Klapscheut

2- Caitlin Ziegler, USA, Valencia

3- Beezie Madden, USA, Amadora

4- Mario Deslauriers, USA, Vicomte D

Esso Challenge – Top 10

1-Ashlee Bond, USA, Cadett 7

2-Shane Sweetnam, IRL, Amaretto D'Arco

3-Daniel Bluman, COL, Sancha LS La Sill

Source:Pressrelease Spruce Meadows