The 1.60m CSI5* AKITA Drilling Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, provided an exciting finale to the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament on Sunday afternoon. Thirty athletes took on a challenging course designed by FEI Course Designer Tom Holden (IRL), featuring 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts. To earn a place in the jump-off, combinations needed to navigate the track fault-free and within the allotted time of 78 seconds.
The course proved demanding, with only two athletes successfully answering every question posed in the first round. Among them was New Zealand’s Katie Laurie, a familiar face at Spruce Meadows who calls Southern Alberta home, and Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan, a rider well-acquainted with Grand Prix success at the venue.
Laurie was first to return for the jump-off aboard her homebred New Zealand Warmblood, Django II (Lordano x Brilliant invader xx), delivering a composed and clear round in a time of 46.28s. El Dahan appeared poised to challenge for the win, but an unfortunate misstep during a rollback turn resulted in an unexpected separation from WKD Balou Breeze (Balou du Rouet x Cavalier royale), ending his bid for victory.
Recently Sameh El Dahan announced to return competing for Egypt, instead of Great-Britain. With her fault-free jump-off performance, Laurie secured the win and capped off the ‘Continental’ Tournament in memorable fashion. The stage was completed by Conor Swail aboard his trusted 13-year-old gelding, casturano (Castelan x Canturo).
“If they start jumping here (Spruce Meadows) as a young horse, it makes it easier for them as they get older.” Katie Laurie on the benefits of bringing horses to Spruce Meadows throughout their careers
