Foster, with Battlecry, came first in the jump-off, beating last night’s hero, Erynn Ballard, to a stunning victory on the International Ring.


Foster beat her fellow Canadian Olympic squad hopeful Ballard, with Nikka VD Bisschop, by just over half-a-second, coming in at 42.23s to Ballard’s 42.71s.


The dynamic duo faced just two other finalists in the jump-off, including Jos Verlooy, of Belgium, on Origi, who came third. Matthew Sampson (GBR) and Daniel were knocked off a super-tight leaderboard, coming fourth at less than a second behind Foster, at 42.83s. Foster gave credit for the win, against a starting class of 34 other riders, to Battlecry.


“I was definitely not at my best today,” said Foster. “I had a little chat with him and just asked him to be there for me today, and he did it.


“I can’t even begin to describe that feeling that a horse gives you, when he’s giving you his all.


“He’s a really fast horse. He’s still pretty green. This is his first year of trying at that 1.60 level.


“When you have a great horse like this, there are things that come along that we had to work through. But I’ve always believed that he would be able to do it. His stride length is incredible. Honestly, that’s where he makes up a lot of ground.”