Spruce Meadows Canada One: Saturday and Sunday

Source: Spruce Meadows

A Perfect Pair

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): It was the teacher who bested the student in today’s $65,000 RBC Cup. Beezie Madden (USA) and her new mount Coral Reef Via Volo were at the top of their game in today’s 1.50 m competition.

Madden was not only competing today, she was coaching 26 year-old Lauren Tisbo (USA). It was a perfect day for Madden as she watched her student clear the 16 jumping effort course. Madden also joined Tisbo in the jump-off after clearing with her 10 year-old Selle Francais mare.

The RBC Cup featured 33 horse/rider combinations and only four were able to make itto the jump-off round. Tisbo was second last in and put down a perfect round, thanks to a little help from her mount. “We were really good in the first round, but she really helped me out in the jump-off after I left out a stride,” said Tisbo.

All she could do was wait as the last in, Beezie Madden, took off around the course. It wasn’t Tisbo’s day as her coach beat her across the finish line in, 37.78 seconds. “I didn’t get to see Lauren go, but I think I made up time after the second fence,” said Madden after her win in the RBC Cup.

RBC Cup top 10 –

1- Beezie Madden USA Coral Reef Via Volo

2- Lauren Tisbo USA Crème Brule

3- Katie McVean NZL Delphi

4- Karl Cook USA Conquistador

5- Saer Coulter USA Chalan

6- Karen Cudmore CAN Southern Pride

7- Kerri Potter USA Rockford I

8- Pablo Barrios VEN G&C Lagran

9- Rodrigo Pessoa BRA Champ 163

10- Charlie Jayne USA Urbanus

Twice as Nice

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): Today’s ESSO Challenge World Cup got the best of most of its 40 entries. The one, who separated herself from the pack today, was Beezie Madden of the United States.

Today with her 12 year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Coral Reef Via Volo, Madden blasted around the first round course. With 17 jumping efforts, a time allowed of 87 seconds and a track over 580 metres that was no easy task.

“I thought the course was excellent and well rounded,” said Madden. “It took not only a good horse but a good rider to clear that course,” continued Madden. Only two others were up to the task. Joining Madden in the jump-off were fellow American, Leslie Howard and Canadian Yann Candele.

Course designer, Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA), knew he had set a challenging course but felt the horses and riders were ready for what he put forth. “I got the result I was expecting,” said D’Ambrosio. “The water jump is a big reason we didn’t have more clean,” continued the course designer, explaining, “it’s a difficult jump to jump and it makes the whole course more difficult.

Madden was first back for the jump-off and was aware of the two coming in after her. “I think naturally, their horses have a quicker stride than mine, so I had to put the pressure on,” explained Madden. That pressure put Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo across the finish line in 36.43 seconds.

Following Madden into the jump-off was Leslie Howard and her 11 year-old Oldenburg gelding, Lennox Lewis 2. After a couple of slips Lennox Lewis 2 pulled a rail, allowing Madden a sigh of relief.

If Yann Candele was going to win, he would have to ride is mare, Pitareusa perfectly. A bad turn forced him to speed up, costing him a rail and the win in the ESSO Challenge World Cup.

For Madden, it was her second win on her new mare in as many days. “I’m ecstatic,” said Madden after her win.