Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament: Belgium's Devos Takes Home the Gold in the $1,000,000 CN International

Barnmice News Blast: Katy M, Community News - Photos: Moranequinephoto.com

Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament:
Belgium's Devos Takes Home the Gold in the $1,000,000 CN International

Pieter Devos, making his first appearance at Spruce Meadows, managed a decisive victory in the CN International this afternoon achieving the only clear scores in both rounds. This feat was even more impressive considering that he had a hard fall earlier in the tournament when his mare Candy fell over some rails coming off a jump, unseating him and landing on his leg.

Pieter Devos and Candy -- he lost his stirrup coming off this line.

Immediately after the fall, Devos thought he had broken his leg, but it turned out not to be the case. However, the swelling was bad enough that he couldn't ride in his boot for several days. Then, during the International this afternoon, the injury caused him to lose his stirrup coming off the long line of five fences which included the triple combination. With a quick adjustment, he was able to pick it back up before the last line which included some impressive oxers.

Devos managed to get his stirrup back for the last line.

Devos thanks his mare whose dam was a full sister to Canada's favorite horse Big Ben.

Switzerland's Steve Guerdat, individual gold medal winner at the London Olympics, incurred only two time faults in the second round which put him into second place. He was very pleased with the results with his mare, Nasa.

Steve Guerdat and Nasa.

Steve Guerdat and Nasa clearing the last fence.

Pénélope Leprevost was the fastest of the four fault riders to grab third prize. This was an excellent tournament for Leprovost who also won the Cana Cup on Thursday.