We’re in the high season of show jumping where the Grand Prix replays, recaps and press releases are coming at you like a bullet train.
Ergo, we thought we’d shake things up a bit and fill you in on everything that happened at ‘North American Week’ at Spruce Meadows in a slightly less traditional fashion, but without missing any of the good stuff. Strap in, Jumper Nation, we’re going all out in a GIF Jump-Off!
Kent Farrington and Gazelle win the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup Grand Prix
Kent and his iconic 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare were one of twelve pairs to qualify for the second round – ten of which came through on a double clear and the other two with just a single time fault. Then in round two the fences get higher and the time gets tighter to find who if any can qualify for the jump-off.
Only Kent and Gazelle, Philipp Weishaupt and LB Convall, and Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 would survive round two for a real treat of a jump-off, where ultimately Gazelle would power to the finish almost two full seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
This is Kent’s third time winning this event in his career, and second consecutive win.
Tiffany Foster Debuts Caipiranja on World Stage With Win in Pepsi Challenge
Canada’s lady pride and joy was positively beaming to take the win on her stunning black nine-year-old mare who has been slowly coming up the ranks at Artisan Farms the past three years to have a spectacular win in the 1.50m class this weekend.
“She’s a little bit unique because she has a very short and very high neck, so I think it’s good I’ve been riding her since I was young so that I’m used to it! But it is a little hard to stay on when she jumps well because there’s not a lot out in front of you, hence my departure twice from the saddle in the jump-off! But I’m so proud of her.”
Nicole Walker (CAN) took second aboard Falco van Spieveld, and Margie Engle (USA) took third aboard an exciting young mount, Dicas; an eight-year-old Rheinlander (Diarado x Cassini I).
Tiffany also took another win this weekend aboard a different mount: The Imperial Cup (1.50m) aboard Brighton, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding also owned by Artisan Farms.
Richard Spooner and the Immortal Cristallo Win Sun Life Financial Derby
At 19 years young and looking fresh as a daisy, Richard Spooner’s Cristallo absolutely slayed the competition not only as the only horse to go clear, but doing it faster than a vast swath of the field.
Cristallo sauntered over the massive open water:
picked his way carefully through the combinations:
pranced down the derby hill and practically took the fence at the base from a lively trot.
We were also delighted to see that Luis Alejandro Plascencia of Mexico rode Salvador Onate’s Salamera de la Nutria to a silver medal finish in the derby – one of the best performances of the 26-year-old’s career with just a single rail on the course.
Third place went to American Rich Fellers aboard Lux Lady, the only other combination to keep their faults to a single error.
You can see more from all these rounds at the Spruce Meadows YouTube Channel, and Full Results Here.
Go Spruce Meadows, and Go Jumping!