Matthew Sampson and Daniel (Heartbreaker) ruled the day for Great Britain, taking the 1.60m Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex.
There were tears of joy ringside as Sampson, from Sheffield, hailed 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Daniel as ‘one of the most incredible horses’ he has ever worked with.
While Sampson has won two 5* competitions at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series so far, both victories have been aboard the more spritely 11-year-old mare One Whisper.
“I feel like it meant so much for Daniel to win,” said Sampson, 34. “He deserves it.
“If I were a horse, I would wish I was him. He’s one of the most incredible horses I’ve ever had. I feel like, when we don’t win, it’s always my fault. To win today feels amazing. It’s a dream come true.”
Sampson immediately took congratulatory phone calls from his mom, Ruth, and Canadian girlfriend Kara Chad, also a star show jumper, before telling us how much he enjoyed the challenge of the 14-obstacle, 17-effort course set out by French FEI course designer Gregory Bodo, who has been named a co-course designer at the upcoming Olympic Games.
“I’ve jumped quite a few of Gregory’s courses,” added Sampson. “And they’re never easy.”
Sampson faced seven other riders in the jump-off, including Paris-bound Canadian Olympians Amy Millar and Mario Deslauriers, who finished seventh and eight. But it was Elena Haas (USA), aboard Westphalian gelding Claude (Captain Jack 44), and her fellow American Kyle King, with Odysseus (Oslivis), who ended up sharing the prize pot, coming in second and third, respectively.
There were tears of joy ringside as Sampson, from Sheffield, hailed 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Daniel as ‘one of the most incredible horses’ he has ever worked with.
While Sampson has won two 5* competitions at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series so far, both victories have been aboard the more spritely 11-year-old mare One Whisper.
“I feel like it meant so much for Daniel to win,” said Sampson, 34. “He deserves it.
“If I were a horse, I would wish I was him. He’s one of the most incredible horses I’ve ever had. I feel like, when we don’t win, it’s always my fault. To win today feels amazing. It’s a dream come true.”
Sampson immediately took congratulatory phone calls from his mom, Ruth, and Canadian girlfriend Kara Chad, also a star show jumper, before telling us how much he enjoyed the challenge of the 14-obstacle, 17-effort course set out by French FEI course designer Gregory Bodo, who has been named a co-course designer at the upcoming Olympic Games.
“I’ve jumped quite a few of Gregory’s courses,” added Sampson. “And they’re never easy.”
Sampson faced seven other riders in the jump-off, including Paris-bound Canadian Olympians Amy Millar and Mario Deslauriers, who finished seventh and eight. But it was Elena Haas (USA), aboard Westphalian gelding Claude (Captain Jack 44), and her fellow American Kyle King, with Odysseus (Oslivis), who ended up sharing the prize pot, coming in second and third, respectively.