Two riders who really know how to 'turn and burn' each captured top honors on the first day of FEi classes at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament.

In the Akita Drilling Cup, Richard Spooner piloted the nimble Billy Bianca to the head of the class.  Spooner commented, "That horse is quick in the air.  Every time she jumps, I get probably a tenth of a second advantage.  So with her, the key is to try not to go that fast!"  

That strategy worked today as the pair left all the fences up as they laid down a time no-one else could catch.

Richard Spooner and Molly Ohrstrom's Billy Bianca. Photo: moranequinephoto.com

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo put in their usual clear, clean and quick round to pick up the second place award.  Via Volo is a 13 year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Coral Reef Ranch.

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo. Photo: moranequinephoto.com

Later in the afternoon, Eric Lamaze demonstrated once again why he is currently ranked the Rolex number one show jumping rider in the world:  with the truly spectacular Hickstead, he was able to execute the tight turns and acceleration between fences necessary to shave nine-tenths of a second off of Roger-Yves Bost's already brisk time.

Eric Lamaze and the 15 year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Hickstead. Photo: moranequinephoto.com

Bost rode the 15 year-old Selle Francais stallion, Ideal de la Loge. Photo: moranequinephoto.com

Tomorrow's action in the International Ring  includes two more big classes: the 1.60 meter Atco Structures & Logistics Cup and the 1.70 meter Cana Cup.S