The 2016 Spruce Meadows Summer Series continues this week with the ‘Pan American’ Tournament CSI 5*, presented by Rolex, featuring world-class show jumping through Sunday, July 3. Opening competitions on Wednesday featured junior and amateur riders in Prix des Nations events, which offered exciting team experience for many developing riders. The highlight competition of the week is Saturday’s $375,000 Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex. Wednesday’s Paramount Resources Prix des Nations 1.40m and 1.30m competitions were each held in the beautiful Meadows on the Green arena and featured courses designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade. The Paramount Resources Prix des Nations 1.40m was held first in the afternoon, with three teams competing, and a win for Mexico’s team “Chilangos” led by Chef d’Equipe Nikolaj Hein Ruus. Mauricio Huesca and Fair Force II Berkenbroek led the team off, with one time fault in round one, and a clear trip in round two. Gerardo Pasquel and Big Red jumped double clear to help their team take the victory. Sofia Larrea and Remmits Delphi carried scores of four and eight in their respective rounds. As the anchor rider, Francisco Pasquel jumped clear in round one with Heart Winner V Gurbrue Ch, and did not need to return for round two after his team had the win secured. Team “Super Mario’s” Alexandra Crown and Emperio vant Roosakker, Lucy Deslauriers and Hamlet, Jennifer Gates and Lord Levisto, and Hilary McNerney aboard Vitesse finished second led by Chef d’Equipe Mario Deslauriers. Following a great day with two clear rounds for his team, Gerardo Pasquel spoke of the victory, as well as his mount Big Red. The 11-year-old Warmblood gelding (Ludwig von Bayern x Lamoureux I) had a successful year competing with Nikola Hein Ruus, and then USA’s Richard Spooner, before Pasquel took back the reins recently. The Paramount Resources Prix des Nations 1.30m was the final competition of the day in the Meadows on the Green. Nine teams started in the first round, with the top four continuing on to round two, and a win for USA’s “Ritter’s Rascals” led by Chef d’Equipe Nikko Ritter. Claire Schreder and Quality II led the team off, with a clear in round one, and just one time fault in round two. Sydney Hutchins and Chantal scored nine and four in their respective rounds. Kelsey Maloney and La Coco jumped clear in round one and dropped one unlucky rail in round two. As the anchor rider, Coco Fath rode Catachi to one time fault in round one, and then secured her team’s victory with the final clear round of the night. The “Jumping Jac’s” finished second led by Chef d’Equipe Jaclyn Duff. Their team was made up of Julia Madigan (CAN) riding Vintovara, Elena Fernandez (PAN) aboard Balou, Gabriella Mizrachi (PAN) with Game Boy, and Ali Ramsay (CAN) on Disarrono. Fifteen-year-old Coco Fath did not let the pressure of going last keep her from putting in a clutch performance to help her team to the win. Fath was riding the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Catachi (by Caretino) that she has jumped at the 1.30m-level for the past year. This was Fath’s second time competing in a team event, but a big deal for her first year jumping at Spruce Meadows. Commenting on the competition, Fath stated, “After the first round I realized I was too slow, which was disappointing, but it made me want to do better in the second round. I went in there and I wanted to win. The pressure did not really affect me. I just wanted to go in there and give a good, clean round. “It felt really good doing it for the team,” Fath added. “I feel like I accomplished something, not just for me, but for three other people too. I think it was a better experience winning as a team and I think it will help me later as I go on to other things.” Speaking of Catachi, Fath smiled, “He has been great. He has a little trouble in the schooling area, but he is always perfect in the ring. You can always count on him.” Wednesday’s Prix des Nations competition also featured three other events for competitors at many levels. The Paramount Resource Prix des Nations Junior/Amateur 1.20m riders jumped in the Chinook Ring with a win for Mexico’s team “Mayas” and Chef d’Equipe Israel Medina. Luis Alejandro Plascencia and Chapileto, Jeronimo Larrea Burillo aboard Emporio B, Francisco Mendoza riding Chacaba, and Luciana Roberta Gonzalez with Zidane secured the win.
