Spruce Meadows Continental Tournament Gets off to a Soaking Start

Day 1 of the Continental was marked by rain, rain and more rain.

The FEI classes, held in the Meadows on the Green, had some scratches, but those competitors whose horses cope well with the rain battled it out for top honors.

McLain Ward (USA) continued his successful streak begun last week in the National Tournament. He won two of the FEI classes today, the first with Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve, a 10 year-old gelding and the second with Vocas, a 9 year-old gelding - both are Dutch Warmbloods and both are owned by Louisburg Farm. Ward also captured third place in the evening's Husky Energy Cup, riding his own Coco 135, a 10 year-old Mecklenburg gelding.

McLain Ward and Volcas ran through the rain to the win in the 1.60m Friends of the Meadows Welcome. ©moranequinephoto.com

Beezie Madden (USA) took second place in two classes: in the 1.45m Friends of the Meadows Welcome, riding Amadora and also in the Huskey Energy Cup with Coral Reef Via Volo. Amadora is an 8 year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Abigail Wexner. Via Volo is 13 year-old Belgian Warmblood mare own by Coral Reef Ranch.

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo. ©moranequinephoto.com

The evening's Huskey Energy Cup was won by Chris Pratt who hails from Ontario. He rode Cruise, an 11 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Susan Geliebter and he just nosed out Madden by 0.69 of a second.

Chris Pratt and Cruise. ©moranequinephoto.com

Richard Spooner (USA) placed twice in the 1.60m Friends of the Meadows Welcome: he captured the second place ribbon with Cristallo, a 13 year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Show Jumping Syndication, Int'l. He also placed 11th with Apache, a 12 year-old warmblood gelding owned by Little Valley Farm.