(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB):  The Thompson Family Cup was a hard fought battle with 17 horse/rider combinations gunning for first place.  Dutch rider, Patrick Snijders, jumped to victory on the Saturday of the Spruce Meadows“Harvest Classic” Tournament in the Thompson Family Cup. 

The track was laid out by course designer, Peter Holmes (CAN).  The course featured 14 jumping efforts, with a time allowed of 75 seconds.   There were seven horse/rider combinations who cleared the first round course to move onto the jump-off.  With a shortened course, it would come down to speed to claim victory in the Thompson Family Cup.

Riding his seven year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Rainland Wilrona, Patrick Snijders cleared the jump-off course in 33.34 seconds.  With the quick time Snijders was able to narrowly beat his closest competitor, Sutton Finch (USA ), by two tenths of a second. 

Thompson Family Cup top 10 –

1-         Patrick Snijders                     NED               Rainland Wilrona

2-         Sutton Finch                          USA                 Castlewellan

3-         Andrew More                                    CAN               Julio

4-         Tracey Epp                            CAN               Hemmingway

5-         Bretton Chad                         CAN               Calle 11

6-         Alexander Grayton               CAN               Wilanka

7-         Taylor Boyd                           CAN               Tamara

8-         Beda Wachter                                    CAN               Voilastar

9-         Jim Ifko                                  CAN               Charon De Borvo Z

10-       Kara Chad                              CAN               Luke Skywalker S

Snijders will look to continue his momentum tomorrow in the Direct Energy Cup, set to begin at 3:30 pm.  The “Harvest Classic” Tournament continues tomorrow at
Spruce Meadows in the Equi-Plex.  Parking and admission are complimentary and
media parking is available adjacent to the Equi-Plex.