A well rounded field of top international athletes stepped through the ironic Spruce Meadows Clock Tower onto the International Ring for the PwC Cup 1.55M. Thirty-eight horse/rider combinations representing 7 countries were tested over 12 obstacles (15 efforts) with a tight time allowed of 72 seconds set by FEI Course Designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) in the first round of competition. Ten of athletes jumped clear and returned for the jump off against the clock.
The jump off belonged to Patricio Pasquel (MEX) who guided his veteran partner Babel to the fastest clear in the jump-off to defeat Nayel Nassar with Ruben Romp's former El Conde and Mario Deslauriers (CAN) aboard Filip de Wandel's former Emerson, to take the gold. Pasquel was ecstatic to return to the winners circle at Spruce Meadows with his 15 year old home bred gelding.
"We (Team Mexico) are using the 'National' Tournament to select our team for the World Equestrian Games" Patricio Pasquel on competing at Spruce Meadows. "There is no better place to prepare your horses for a championship."
Conor Swail (IRL) Wins the 1.50m Bantrel Cup
The Bantrel Cup kicked off competition on the International Ring at Spruce Meadows for the 2022 Tournament Season. Over 50 entries tackled the track laid down by FEI Course Designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) for the one round competition. Riders needed to be clear and quick if they wanted to reach the winner's circle. The World #5 ranked rider, Ireland's Conor Swail, riding Nadal Hero & DB could not be caught. The pair laid down the unbeatable time of 68.36s - just over 2 seconds faster then Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (MEX) who posted a time of 70.32s. It was the 9 year old stallion’s first trip around the International Ring and he handled it brilliantly.
