The fan-favourite Sun Life Derby brought the 'North American', presented by Rolex, to an exciting close on Sunday afternoon. Twenty-five horse-and-rider combinations took on the iconic derby course, a test spanning more than one kilometre and featuring 18 obstacles (24 efforts) to be completed within the 155-second time allowed.
Designed by FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), the track remains rooted in the original vision of legendary FEI Course Designer Pamela Carruthers (GBR) and features naturals obstacles like the bank, Devil’s Dyke, dry ditch, double liver pools and the open water.
Israel's Mark Bluman (ISR) and Canada's Kyle King (CAN) rose to the challenge, producing fault-free performances over the demanding derby course to force a head-to-head jump-off for the title.
Returning first, Bluman delivered a brilliant clear round aboard the 16-year-old Claron CR (Clearway, breeder: Georg Clausen), stopping the clock in 37.96 seconds to set a formidable target. King answered with an impressive effort of his own but incurred four faults, crossing the finish line in 38.33 seconds to secure the runner-up position with Odysseus (Osilvis).
Rounding out the podium was Germany's Richard Vogel aboard Chember 3 (Charleston), who finished third after posting the fastest four-fault performance in the opening round.
“We're just very thankful for the Southern family. It's a pleasure, it's an honor to be here (at Spruce Meadows). And we're very thankful for the sponsors and all the people that make these tournaments possible.” - Mark Bluman (ISR) on a successful inaugural summer season at Spruce Meadows.
Veteran Daniel Coyle (IRL) Claims Kubota Cup Title at Spruce Meadows
The Kubota Cup 1.50m Winning Round opened competition on the International Ring on Sunday during the 'North American', presented by Rolex. In this format, the top 10 athletes from the first round return for the Winning Round, competing in reverse order of merit. Scores from the opening round are not carried forward, giving all qualified athletes a clean slate heading into the deciding round.
Nine of the ten athletes advancing to the Winning Round produced fault-free performances in the opening round, with McKayla Langmeier (USA) securing the final qualifying position in 10th place after incurring three time faults.
Veteran rider Daniel Coyle (IRL) rode to victory in Sunday's Kubota Cup aboard Teddy Van De Rijt's former Uruville Z (Ukato). The pair delivered a blistering performance in the Winning Round, crossing the finish line in a time of 48.90 seconds to secure the top spot on the podium.
Coyle and Uruville Z finished a full second ahead of the runner-up combination of Kyle King (CAN) and Replay Touch V/D Stapelheyde (Vannan), who stopped the clock in 49.91 seconds.
