Source:  News Release

 

 

 

 

Unbeatable Fellers and Flexible

 

 

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): The stars and stripes had a lot to celebrate at Spruce Meadows on the 4^th of July during the first day of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament.

 

The American’s started out on their roll with 17 year old Reed Kessler (USA) aboard Onisha, a 13 year old Warmblood mare. Kessler faced off against 76 horse/rider combinations over the 500 meter course and 14 jumping efforts, designed by Michel Villancourt (CAN). Kessler is celebrating not only her 3rd FEI win at Spruce Meadows this season, but also a nomination to the 2012 US Olympic Team headed to London in August. Later this month, she will celebrate her 18^th Birthday. 

The celebration of the red, white and blue continued in the 1.50 meter AON Cup, featuring 14 jumping efforts stretched over 475 meters of track. With 45 horse/rider combinations competing over the Michel Villancourt (CAN) designed course. Nineteen combinations returned to the jump off. In the end, nobody could catch Richard Spooner (USA) and his 13 year old Warmblood gelding, Apache. Spooner is back on track to defend his title in the 2012 ‘North American’ Championship, with 4 FEI Victories at Spruce Meadows this season alone.

 

With the sun setting on the International Ring on the fourth of July, Rich Fellers (USA) had more than just his country to celebrate. A tough track designed by Michel Villancourt (CAN) saw 4 out of 25 horse/rider combinations move into the jump off. In true form, the 16 year old Irish bred stallion was unbeatable over 14 jumping efforts and 480 meters of track. This win adds to the pair’s perfect score at Spruce Meadows this season, winning 3 of 3 competitions entered. Despite all the success recently, including taking home the FEI Rolex World Cup Championship in April, Fellers isn’t letting it get to his head. “People ask me, how many wins, how much prize money, but none of that really matters to me,” said Fellers after his win in the International ring today. “I just take it day by day, and focus on keeping moving forward.”

 

Olympic fever mounts tomorrow with the Canadian Olympic Committee officially announcing which Canadian riders will be representing the maple leaf in London this August. Spruce Meadows will be hosting the C.O.C. announcement, tomorrow at 11:00am in the Meadowcourt building. FEI International competition resumes tomorrow at Spruce Meadows, with the Progress Energy Cup at 4:00pm, and concluding with the PWC Cup at 7:30pm.

 

 

Tom Tisbo, President & CEO, Suncast Corporation, with today’s champion: Reed Kessler. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.

 

Suncast Cup – Top 10

 

1-Reed Kessler                        USA                Onisha

2-Andres Rodriguez                 VEN                Caballito

3-Eric Lamaze                          CAN                Take Off

4-Christine McCrea                  USA                Romantovich Take One

5-Shane Sweetnam                   IRL                  Siri

6-Michelle Parker                     USA                Xel Ha

7-Darragh Kerins                     IRL                  Hot Wheels

8-Nayel Nassar                        EGY                Lordan

9-Darragh Kerrins                    IRL                  S L Zepplin

10-Todd Gregory                     NZL                 Condendro

 

 

 

Richard Spooner winner of the Aon Cup with Apache. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.

 

Aon Cup – Top 10

1-Richard Spooner                               USA                Apache

2-Beezie Madden                                 USA                Mademoiselle

3-Katie Prudent                                    USA                V

4-Alec Lawler                                      USA                Glen Devon

5-Charlie Jayne                                    USA                Urbanus

6-Eric Lamaze                                      CAN                Hunters Scendix

7-McLain Ward                                   USA                Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve

8-Meagan Nusz                                    USA                Dynamo

9-Kent Farrington                                 USA                Voyeur

10-Rodrigo Lambre                              BRA                Chepepe La Escondida

 

 

 

Rich Fellers & Flexible, winners of the Sun Life Financial “Reach for the Sun”. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.

 

Sun Life Financial “Reach for the Sun” - Top 10

 

1-Rich Fellers                           USA                Flexible

2-Beezie Madden                     USA                Cortes C

3-Yann Candele                       CAN                Carlotta Singular La Magnifica

4-McLain Ward                       USA                Rothchild

5-Kent Farrington                     USA                Uceko

6-Richard Spooner                   USA                Cristallo

7-Lauren Tisbo                         USA                King Kolibri

8-Ashlee Bond                         USA                Cadett 7

9-Jonathan Asselin                    CAN                Showgirl

10-Samantha Buirs                   CAN                Total Touch

 

 

 

First Time Win for Nassar

 

 

It was anybody’s game in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows today, with a rookie and veteran taking home first place ribbons during day two of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ ring.

It was a first for Nayel Nassar (EGY), who beat out veterans like Beezie Madden (USA) and McLain Ward (USA) to take home the 1.50 meter Progress Energy Cup. The course featured 16 jumping efforts over 510 meters of track. After 41 horse/rider combinations completed the tough track, 3 riders advanced to the jump off. In the end, Nassar emerged victorious aboard his 14 year old Belgian Warmblood stallion, Raging Bull Vangelis S. This is the first FEI win for 22 year old Nassar, who is competing at Spruce Meadows for the first time. “This place is amazing. It’s the smoothest run competition I’ve ever been to.” said Nassar, when asked about his experience at Spruce Meadows to date. “I’ve been here for three weeks now, and I couldn’t be happier with a win here.”

Winning at Spruce Meadows isn’t a new feeling for McLain Ward (USA), but the Olympic veteran says it never gets old. Ward posted two clear rounds over the course designed by Michel Villancourt (CAN), with 15 jumping obstacles and 495 meters of track. This win aboard the 11 year old Warmblood gelding, Rothchild, is Ward’s third FEI win at Spruce Meadows this season. “The level at Spruce Meadows is phenomenal” commented Ward after the victory. “No victory here ever loses meaning for me.”

Spruce Meadows presents family fun night on Friday, featuring hot dogs, Pepsi and International level sport. The FEI action continues tomorrow during the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ tournament, with the Pepsi Cup and the Lafarge Cup.

Nayel Nassar aboard Raging Bull Vangellis S, champions of the Progress Energy Cup. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services

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Progess Energy Cup – Top 10

1-Nayel Nassar EGY Raging Bull Vangelis S
2-Beezie Madden USA Vanilla
3-Christine McCrea USA Romantovich Take One
4-Beezie Madden USA Coral Reef Via Volo
5-Reed Kessler USA Ligist
6-Jonathan McCrea USA Colorado
7-Mac Cone USA Capone I
8-Nick Dello Joio USA Zorro
9-Mario Deslauriers USA Cella
10-McLain Ward USA Antares F

Cal Jacober, Office Managing Partner, PWC, presenting the winners trophy to McLain Ward. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.

PWC Cup – Top 10

1-McLain Ward USA Rothchild
2-Beezie Madden USA Verdi
3-Tim Gredley GBR Unex Chamberlain Z
4-Eric Lamaze CAN Verdi
5-Sean Crooks USA Armegedon
6-Tiffany Foster CAN Southwind VDL
7-Lauren Tisbo USA King Kolibri
8-Lisa Carlsen CAN La Boom
9-Richard Spooner USA Cristallo
10-Jennifer Crooks IRL SF Uryadi

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