News

Whitaker for the Win!

Sep 7, 2012

The sun was shining on the International ring for the Thursday of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. 5 combinations moving into the jump off, Christian Ahlmann (GER) took home first place with a jump off time of 36.79, a full four seconds faster than second place. Ahlmann was very happy with his 11 year old Warmblood gelding Aragon, commenting “He loves it here. The ground was perfect for him, and he jumped great”. Ahlmann hopes Aragon will continue to jump well through the week in preparation for the $1,000,000 CN International on Sunday.

The 1.60 meter CANA Cup got off to a fast start, seeing British show jumping veteran Michael Whitaker (GBR) taking home the first place ribbon. Nine of the 42 horse/rider combinations moved into the jump off after tackling the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) course with 15 jumping obstacles over 490 meters. This is Whitaker’s second year with his 10 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Viking. After a building year in 2011, Whitaker and Viking are looking forward to competing once again at Spruce Meadows. “It’s the atmosphere here. The courses are hard, and everyone expects them to be hard. That way, if you win, you know you’re the best”.

The action continues tomorrow in the International ring at Spruce Meadows. The Mercedes-Benz ‘Evening of the horse’ begins at 5:15pm with the Encana Cup, followed by the ATCO Electric six-bar circuit, then a performance by the Celle Stallions and a fireworks show.

ATCO Structures & Logistics – Top 10

1-Christian Ahlmann, GER - Aragon

2-Abdullah AL Sharbatly, KSA - Larkhill Cruiser

3-Olivier Philippaerts, BEL - Quintender 2

4-Jur Vrieling, NED - VDL Emmerton

5-Daniel Deußer, GER - Lillyfee

6-Beezie Madden, USA - Simon

7-Eric Lamaze, CAN - Derly Chin de Muze

8-Robert Whitaker, GBR - Catwalk IV

9-Shane Breen, IRL - Cos I Can

10-Ben Asselin, CAN

RushCana Cup – Top 10

1-Michael Whitaker, GBR - Viking

2-Christian Ahlmann, GER - Taloubet Z

3-Jerome Hurel, FRA - OHM De Ponthual

4-Shane Breen, IRL - Balloon

5-Ian Millar, CAN - Star Power

6-Andrew Bourns, IRL - Roundthorn Madios

7-Tina Fletcher, GBR - Hello Sailor

8-Olivier Philippaerts, BEL - Cabrio Van De Heffinck

9-Beezie Madden, USA - Coral Reef Via Volo

10-Jur Vrieling, NED - VDL Bubalu

Source: Press release from Spruce Meadows Media Services