Ireland’s Alan Wade was the international course designer in the Meadows on the Green for this week’s Pan American competition. Wade concluded the week’s events on Sunday with the Friends of the Meadows 1.50m, which saw Lucy Deslauriers carry on a family legacy with her first international victory at Spruce Meadows. Her father Mario, and her mother, Lisa, have both been international winners at the world-class venue.
For her win, the young Deslauriers guided Hester to victory in a ten-horse jump-off out of 39 original starters. In the tiebreaker, only three were able to clear the short course without fault. Kara Chad (CAN) and Gin Tonic, owned by Torrey Pines and Artisan Farms, set the pace in 48.50 seconds to eventually finish third. Nayel Nassar (EGY) and his own Lordan upped the ante in 45.01 seconds, but later settled for second place. Last to go double clear, Deslauriers and Hester shaved the time down to 43.12 seconds for the win.
Commenting on the momentous victory in her developing career, Deslauriers smiled, “It is incredible. It is an honor and a privilege not only to come out with a win, but even just to compete with all of these incredible riders. I have been coming to Spruce Meadows for a very long time watching these big competitions, so to be in it to win it thanks to my horse is obviously amazing.”
Hester, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Palestro vd Begijnakker) owned by Lisa Deslauriers, has moved up the levels right with his rider.
“I started riding him towards the beginning of his eight-year-old year, so was have kind of grown together,” she said of their connection. “My biggest classes are his biggest classes, so we are really in it together. I have 100% trust in him, and I think he responds equally, so it is really a great partnership. It makes stepping up a whole lot easier.”
That great relationship helped in Sunday’s jump-off, as Deslauriers pulled out all of the stops on the short course.
Final Results: Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.50m
1 HESTER Belgian Warmblood / G / 11/ Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Palestro Vd Begijnakker
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA) Lisa Deslauriers: 0/0/43.12
2 LORDAN Warmblood / G / 12 / Lordanos x Landor S
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY) Nayel Nassar: 0/0/45.01
3 GIN TONIC Belgian Warmblood / G / 10 / Indorado x Saros van’t Gestelhof
KARA CHAD (CAN) Torrey Pines & Artisan Farms: 0/0/48.50
4 CAYETANA Selle Francais / M / 10 / Robin II x Krishna de la Bride
NIKOLAJ HEIN RUUS (DEN) Gerardo Pasquel: 0/4/44.83
5 CONCORDE Dutch Warmblood / G / 9 / Vaillant x Concorde
CHRIS PRATT (CAN) Jan Verellen: 0/4/45.60
6 BALOUS DAY DATE Warmblood / M / 11 / Balou de Rouet x Domino
MOLLY ASHE (USA) Louisburg Farm: 0/4/45.75
7 AVENZIO Dutch Warmblood / G / 17 / Animo x Erdball
TAIZO SUGITANI (JPN) Yvonne Barrow: 0/4/50.48
8 AKKU 2 Westphalian / G / 11 / Albatros x Pilot
JASMINE WIGGINS (CAN) Jasmine Wiggins: 0/8/47.89
9 ROSANA DU PARK Schwaben / M / 11 / Kannan x Ukase
ERIC LAMAZE (CAN) Artisan Farms, LLC and Torrey Pines: 0/12/53.39
10 RIDLEY Canadian Sport Horse / G / 10 / Ustinov x Adlantus AS
DANIEL COYLE (IRL) Susan Grange: 0/16/50.32
11 CONFIDENT OF VICTORY Warmblood / G / 12 / Cornet Obolensky x Damokles
VLADIMIR TUGANOV (RUS) Vladimir Tuganov: 1/72.02
12 URUS 2 Oldenburg / G / 12 / Canturo x Cento
LIUBOV KOCHETOVA (RUS) Liubov Kochetova: 1/73.81