Sixty competitors featured in the Cardel Homes Cup 1.55m this afternoon at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. Over the track designed by FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacious (VEN), riders had to maneuver 11 obstacles (15 jumping efforts) in a time allowed of 72 seconds.
Fourteen of the horses jumped clear and advanced to the jump off, including world #4 ranked rider Richard Vogel (GER) and world #8 ranked rider Steve Guerdat (SUI)━ both riders posted fast clear rides but Vogel came out on top with a clear round and time of 38.93s in the jump off, winning aboard Pheyno van het Keysersbos. Guerdat finished on a clear round with a time of 39.29s and settled as runner-up with Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte (Bamako de Muze x Tinka's Boy).
“Once you actually get to the show, it's so many things also outside the arena that makes it so special. The place (Spruce Meadows) itself, I think, has a very special environment and kind of a chemistry that is here that you really feel once you put a step into the place. - Richard Vogel (GER) on returning to Spruce Meadows and how special it is.
“And it's always very nice to come back. And I think the horses really like it too and have memories here that they keep and very quick recognize, oh, we're back in Spruce.”
Together with her 10-year-old, Swedish bred gelding, Iron Dames Singclair (Singular LS LA Silla x Cardento), Germany's Sophie Hinners completed the stage.
