The Spruce Meadows 'National' Tournament, presented by ROLEX, came to an exciting conclusion today with the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby. Quentin Judge (USA) and HH Dark de la Hart, owned by Double H Farm, sped to victory in the class over Angel Karolyi (VEN) and Indiana 127 and Richard Spooner (USA) riding Cristallo. In the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup, Sameh El Dahan (EGY) and Sumas Zorro were far and ahead the rest of the field for the win. The Spruce Meadows Summer Series continues with the ‘Continental’ CSIO 5* Tournament on June 12-15, featuring the $125,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by Scotiabank on Friday, June 13, and the $210,000 CP Grand Prix on Sunday, June 15. The $85,000 Husky Energy Classic 1.50m will be featured on Thursday, June 12, and the $85,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m will be the highlight on Saturday, June 14. There were 15 entries in the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby. The course, which was designed by Leopoldo Palacios seven years ago, is the same each year. The test of endurance and stamina asks questions at a variety of jumps, including double liverpools, the table bank, the derby bank, and the Devil's Dyke. There are 19 numbered obstacles and 25 jumping efforts on course. Palacios said, “I designed this course seven years ago. I (have) only had three cleans. I think it was good; I don't see real bad pictures. Every rider has the chance to do it. I had faults almost everywhere, and I am very happy for this. The riders were wonderful today and gave the best effort. I congratulate the winners today.” Riding out of the number one spot in the order, Karolyi and Indiana 127, owned by Hollow Creek Farm, set a respectable mark to beat with eight faults in 155.82 seconds. Karolyi recounted, “Today, I thought he jumped a beautiful first round. I underestimated the Devil's Dyke. I rode in a little soft, thinking I would have a big gallop towards the end. I just didn't make it to 'c' and had that down. Then I lost my concentration and basically rode terrible at the last one and had the last jump down. I was glad that I had another chance to ride it, and I did better.” Final Results: $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby 1 HH DARK DE LA HART: Belgian Sport Horse / S / 11 Kashmir van Schuttershof x Nonstop QUENTIN JUDGE (USA), Double H Farm: 8/0/45.73 2 INDIANA 127: Dutch Warmblood / G / 12 Indoctro x Unknown ANGEL KAROLYI (VEN), Hollow Creek Farm: 8/0/49.70 3 CRISTALLO: Holstein / G / 16 Caretino x Cicero RICHARD SPOONER (USA), Show Jumping Syndication Intl: 9/166.21 4 FINEMAN: Swedish Warmblood / G / 11 Feliciano x Beach Boy SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Sweet Oak Farm: 9/168.61 5 WRIOMF: Dutch Warmblood / M / 11 Tangelo van de Zwthoen x Julius CHRISTIAN SORENSEN (CAN), Christian Sorensen: 12/149.64 6 WORLDS JUDGEMENT: Dutch Warmblood / M / 11 Judgement x Farmer LISA CARLSEN (CAN), Alycia Hayes: 16/157.80 7 ABSIE: Belgian Warmblood / M / 14 Corland x Heartbreaker ANDREW RAMSAY (USA), Shalanno Farms LLC: 16/161.91 8 FANTASY: Hanoverian / M / 9 For Pleasure x Acorado DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), Oakland Ventures LLC: 16/164.09 9 ANTARES: KWPN / G / 9 Manhattan x Cavalier PABLO BARRIOS (VEN), Stal Thijssen: 20/157.98 10 ACHIME: Warmblood / G / 9 Chin Chin x Heartbreaker LESLIE HOWARD (USA), Jerome Guery: 20/163.90 11 RIVIERRA: Warmblood / M / 9 Cool Fontaine x Speed Clayetois SCHUYLER RILEY (USA), van Decraen Lieven: 24/157.45 12 MAN IN BLACK: Dutch Warmblood / G / 12 Gentleman x Unknown JACK HARDIN TOWELL JR. (USA), Jennifer Gates: 28/164.73 © press
