The 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO5* has commenced and the TELUS Cup (1.50m) wrapped today’s competitions on opening day. Forty-five horse/rider combinations declared to start the competition and step onto the International Ring.
The track was designed by Level 4 FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and athletes had to complete 11 obstacles (13 jumping efforts) in under a time allowed of 66 seconds to qualify for the jump off. Fifteen horse/rider combinations representing nine nations advanced to the jump off.
Olympic gold medalist and current #4 ranked rider in the world, Ben Maher (GBR), took two horses into the jump off, bettering his chances of making it to the winner’s circle. Aboard Exit Remo, he laid down the fastest clear jump off ride with a time of 39.98s. Maher also picked up the fourth place with Enjeu De Grisien.
On stage Denis Lynch (IRL) followed with Eric Polfliet's bred, Brooklyn Heights (Nabab de Reve), while Conor Swail (IRL) and Jenny Abrahamsson's bred, Theo 160 (Christian 25) completed the
“It's been some years that I’ve walked into that ring and it's just a different feeling, you know? I jumped in arenas all over the world, but you walk through that tunnel and you have the incredible arena, the history, a lot of history here. When I was growing up, always dreaming that I could be able to come here and ride one day.” - Ben Maher (GBR) on stepping through the Clock Tower day one of the 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Fabrice DN with a Win on Day One
The Cardel Homes Cup (1.45m) was the first event on the International Ring to start the tournament. Thirty-seven athletes representing twelve nations stepped through the iconic Clock Tower looking to post a fast and clear ride in the one round competition. Great Britain’s Matthew Sampson aboard Fabrice DN (Emilion, breeder: D. Noordhuis) spent their summer at Spruce Meadows and the preparation paid off. The pair galloped across the finish line clear, in a time of 61.27s which could not be caught.
Santiago Lambre (BRA) with Chattanooga (Cornet's Prince) and Kyle King (USA) with SIG Chiari (Cristallo I) rounded out the top three placings respectively.