The stage was set for the $1,000,0000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Riders qualified throughout the week for the opportunity to step foot through the Clock Tower and take a piece of the purse. Thirty-five horse/rider combinations featured on the order of go for the two-round 5* Grand Prix, the top twelve placed horses would return for the second round. After two rounds if there are still riders tied with faults for first place, it will come down to a jump off.
The first round was an impressive track that spanned 590m with 14 obstacles (17 jumping efforts). Five athletes came through with 4 faults that carried to round two while seven pairs were clear.
The twelve athletes representing seven nations returned for the second round of competition in order or reverse merit. Four of those twelve powered through the second round 10 obstacles (12 jumping efforts) and produced double clear round. Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP), Nayel Nassar (EGY), Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Brian Cournane (USA) with Armik (Armitage x Justinian xx) now had to face off in a jump off.
Moya and Puma HS (Untouchable x Party Dance) was first into the ring and put the pressure on the rest of his competitors posting his third clear round of the day - now everyone else had to be faster. Nassar and Coronado (Cassini I x Acord II) used the speed a scope of his 14 year-old gelding Coronado to his advantage. The galloped through the finish line in a time of 35.58s to take the win. Deslauriers aboard Emerson (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Berlin) and Cournane followed with valiant efforts, but both had rails and finished in third and fourth respectively.
“This is just an unparalleled experience being able to show here, especially with the crowds that come in on the weekend. It really feels like it’s (Spruce Meadows) come back to live (after the Global Pandemic). It’s just such a special place (Spruce Meadows). It feels great to walk into the International Ring - the ambience is second to none.” - Nayel Nassar (EGY) on competing at Spruce Meadows.
