The ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1.60m) was fully subscribed with fifty top international horse/rider combinations ready to take on the track designed by FEI course designer Santiago Varela (ESP). The ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup is a two round Grand Prix. Following the completion of round one, the top 12 riders (or all those who posted clear rounds in round one) come back to compete over a second round. At the completion of the second round, any riders tied for first place proceed to a jump off. The first clear round of the competition came early from Andrew Wells (USA) who was third into the ring. Overall eight horse/rider combinations would jump clear with Lorenza O'Farrill (MEX), Paricio Pasquel (MEX), Molly Ashe (USA) and Rowan Willis (AUS) rounding out the top twelve going through to round two. Former champions Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Kent Farrington (USA) were among those in the top twelve riders from round one advancing to the second round. The rails stayed intact for Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) but a round two time of 68.67s would cost him one time fault. Lamaze stepped into the ring with Fine Lady ready for the challenge and posted the first and only double clear of the day. This is Lamaze's fifth win in the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup. "I'm a big Spruce Meadows fan. It makes better horses and better riders." - Eric Lamaze (CAN)
|