Source:  News Release

Equine Canada: Weekend Review September 4-8, 2013

Jumping

CSIO 5* SPRUCE MEADOWS 'MASTERS' TOURNAMENT

Canadian Show Jumping riders went head to head with some of the world's best at the CSIO 5* Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament in Calgary, AB, earning impressive results against seasoned international competitors, including Olympic, Pan-American, World Equestrian Games, and World Cup Champions.

The iconic annual tournament marks the end of the series of high-caliber competitions that take place throughout the spring and summer at Spruce Meadows each year. The 2013 'Masters' Tournament was held September 4-8, and featured some of the richest grand prix classes in the world, with prize money for individual classes ranging all the way up to $1,000,000.

The highlights of Canadian results include:

$125,000 Cana Cup

2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze started out the competition on a high note, claiming second place in Thursday's $125,000 Cana Cup. Paired with one of his up-and-coming mounts Powerplay (a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Artisan Farms), Lamaze was one of only two to go double-clear in the demanding class.

$205,000 Encana Cup

Despite gloomy weather and hard rains, 2010 Equine Canada Junior Equestrian of the Year Ben Asselin (son of Canadian Show Jumping Olympian Jonathan Asselin) was on fire in Friday's $205,000 Encana Cup. Riding Makavoy, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Attache Stables, Asselin was one of only three riders to advance to the jump-off, where he put in the only clear round to earn his first-ever win in the International Ring in front of his hometown audience.

$125,000 Suncor Energy Cup

Saturday saw continued success for Lamaze, who earned his way into the jump-off of the $125,000 Suncor Energy Cup aboard another of his recently-acquired mounts, Quelmec du Gery, a nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding also owned by Artisan Farms. Lamaze's lightning-fast jump-off time of 44.41 seconds put him just .15 seconds behind American Kent Farrington for second place.

Ian Millar of Perth, ON also put in two impressive rounds aboard his 2012 Olympic partner Star Power (a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Team Works). His time of 44.56 put him just behind Lamaze for third place.

$350,000 BMO Nations' Cup

Canada's team consisted of:

Rider/Horse/Hometown

Mac Cone / Amor Van De Rostal / King City, ON

Tiffany Foster / Verdi III / Schomberg, ON

Eric Lamaze / Powerplay / Schomberg, ON

Ian Millar / Dixson / Perth, ON

A first-round combined score of eight faults secured Canada's berth into the second round, where only the top six teams competed. The highlight of the first round was a foot-perfect performance by Foster and Verdi III.

The second round proved even more difficult than the first, but Canada persevered with Lamaze, Foster, and Millar having just one rail down for four faults each. After dropping Cone's nine faults, they finished on a second-round score of 12 faults, bringing their two-round total to 20 faults for a fifth place finish.

The Nations' Cup was won by Germany, followed by Belgium and France in second and third, respectively.

$1,000,000 CN International

Sunday's $1,000,000 CN International is described by many riders as one of the most difficult show jumping classes in the world, and 2013 was no exception. Palacio's track featured intimidating jumps (including ones from numerous Olympic Games), along with challenging related distances, blind turns, and, of course, jumps that were massive in both height and width.

The 12 best scores from the first round were invited back for a slightly-shortened second round, and both Lamaze and Ian were among those who re-entered the ring. The immense fences and various challenges proved extremely difficult for the top 12, and many rails, multiple refusals, and even some eliminations were incurred.

Lamaze and Powerplay came into the second round with just one time fault, and put in an admiral performance, adding eight jumping and one time fault to take eighth place.

The class was won by Pieter Devos of Belgium and Candy, who were the only pair to go clear in the second round.

For complete results and further information, visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

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