Spruce Meadows Continental: Kyle, King of Spruce Meadows

Source:  News Release

 

 

Kyle, King of Spruce Meadows

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): Kyle King (USA) fulfilled a lifelong dream today at Spruce Meadows by defeating the best in the world en route to victory in the $125,000 CN Performance World Cup. King partnered with the 15 year-old stallion Capone I, a horse that has just returned to the international level of the sport since being reunited with King in November, to defeat a star-studded entry and realize a dream he has visualized since the black stallion returned to his stable.

Randy Meyer presents the CN Performance trophy to winner Kyle King of the United States. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services

“It’s really impossible to describe how I feel, other than great. After all we have been through in the last few years, to get the ride back, and now this, against these horses and riders, amazing,” said King of his jump off victory over the Bob Ellis (GBR) designed course.

The 590 metre, 16 jumping effort, first round track culled the field of 24 to 7 who advanced to the jump off. The jump-off riders included the biggest names in the sport such as Michael Whitaker (GBR), Ian Millar (CAN), Richard Spooner (USA), Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze (CAN) and two time Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward (USA). None had the clear score card and time to beat King and Capone I in the jump-off.

King joins Ward “in play” in the $1 million CN Precision Series, both having won a major Spruce Meadows Grand Prix to start 2011 the season. Both will be eligible for a $50,000 bonus with a win in the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup in July.

“I have visualized this in my mind all year. It is a tremendous win for me and I now need to concentrate on the next chapter for Capone and me,” King added following hoisting the CN Performance World Cup trophy.

CN Performance Grand-Prix - Top 10
1- Kyle King USA Capone I
2- Eric Lamaze CAN Hickstead
3- Ian Millar CAN Star Power
4- McLain Ward USA Antares F
5- Richard Spooner USA Cristallo
6- Michael Whitaker GBR Viking
7- Ellen Whitaker GBR Equimax Ocolado
8- Beezie Madden USA Coral Reef Via Volo
9- Mario Deslauriers USA Urico
10- Jenna Thompson CAN Zeke