Leading the victory gallop around the International Ring during the Spruce Meadows 2021 September Series is starting to become a habit of Nayel Nassar's (EGY). On Friday of the Spruce Meadows 'North American' CSI5*, presented by Rolex, Nassar claimed his third victory in the ring of this year, this time aboard the 16-year old gelding, Oaks Redwood (ASB Conquistador x Oaks Miss Scarlet).
After conquering Peter Grant's (CAN) 12 obstacle, 15 jumping efforts, course set at 1.45m, Nassar moved into the jump-off along with Katie Laurie (AUS), Eduardo Menezes (BRA), Rowan Willis (AUS), Zoe Conter (BEL), and McLain Ward (USA). The jump-off course had a time allowed of 50 seconds, though a fast time was not something any of the riders struggled with. Quite a few rails came down in the jump-off, with Menezes, Laurie, and Nassar being the only three clear. It was Nassar's time of 36.42 seconds that pushed him into the first place position. Eduardo Menezes and H. Big Action (Action-Breaker x Big Star) finished second in 38.42, while Katie Laurie took the third place in a time of 39.58 aboard Esteban MVNZ (Indoctro x breeding unknown).
"He was outstanding today, I really asked a lot from him in the jump-off and he answered all my questions," Nassar said of his partner, Oaks Redwood. Nassar also told reporters about the pressure he feels whenever his rides are followed by McLain Ward. "I knew I had done enough to really put the pressure on him. Obviously McLain's always fast. I knew that the only way that I'd beat him is if he knocked a jump down, and luckily that happened today."
Nassar competes again in tomorrow's ATB Winning Round, as well as the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
Source: Press Release