(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): An entry of 22 horse/rider combinations took to the ring for today’s CN Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows. Course designer, Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), set a test that only three entries were able to master.
Calgary’s Emily George was the first to clear with her 11 year-old Oldenburg Stallion, Ferrari. The pair was flawless and for a while it looked like they would be unbeatable.
There were challenges all over the course, but the one that caught most was fence number 12, a skinny. Leopoldo Palacios is not shy to test the athletes and today was no different. It wasn’t until Emily George rode her second entry, Quidams Ramiro, a 12 year-old Holstein gelding into the ring that there would be a second clear round. George was perfect through round one, earning herself two spots in the jump-off.
The last to add their name to the jump-off was Bryna Closson of Whitefish, MT. Closson was aboard her 15 year-old Irish bred gelding, Rip Tide. The pair navigated their way around the course with no trouble from fence number 12. “I have one at home that I practice all the time,” said Closson. “I was once walking a course with Leopoldo and I heard him say, I love my wife and I love the skinny fence,” added Closson who was not surprised to see it in today’s CN Grand Prix.
George was not able to parlay her first round clears into doubles, she could only hope that Closson pulled a rail and came home slower. The American did pull a rail but she relied on the speed of her mount. “My horse is just faster across the ground,” said Closson.
And faster he was, with a finishing time of 43.05 seconds, fast enough for a first place win for Closson. The final day win sent Closson home happy and she plans on returning for the “Canada One” and “North American” Tournaments this summer.
CN Grand Prix Top 10 –
1- Bryna Closson USA Rip Tide
2- Emily George CAN Ferrari
3- Emily George CAN Quidams Ramiro
4- Brenda Riddell CAN Monet
5- Femke Van Den Bosch CAN Senorita
6- Brenda Riddell CAN Indira
7- Lindsay Wendt CAN Georgia 181
8- Lindsay Wendt CAN Chanel
9- Andrea Strain CAN Zeline
10- Albert Kley GER Le Primeur SM
Competition returns to Spruce Meadows in June with the “National” Tournament and the return of the best show jumpers in the world. Competition will be held daily from June 9-13.
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