(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): French rider Eugenie Angot finished the Spruce Meadows “Masters” the same way she started – with a win in the International Ring. She took home a $325,000 winner’s cheque when she headed today’s CN International, a competition carrying the world’s largest show jumping purse.
It was another day of “firsts” at the five day tournament as, not only was this the first time that this title has ever gone to France, but it was also first time the 36-year-old daughter of composer, Michel Legrand, had competed here.
Of the 39 starters, only six were clear over the 13-fence track in the first round, described by Angot as “not crazy big but technical,” and they were joined by the six fastest four faulters in the second.
Of these, hopes rested with Canadian Erynn Ballard, who unfortunately had three fences down toward the end of the course, plus a time fault. Angot produced a copybook clear on her 16-year-old Selle Francais mare, Cigale du Tallis only to see the clock tick over the time allowed, thus incurring just one time fault.
Last year’s winner, Beezie Madden from the United States went next, but she too faulted with Desilvio. It was still good enough for third place however.
Gerco Schroeder, who was part of Holland’s gold medal winning team at this year’s World Championships, also had one fence down on Eurocommerce Milano but their time from the first round was to lift them to runners-up.
Similar to Saturday’s BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup competition, it was down to the last two riders, Britain’s Michael Whitaker and Canada’s Ian Millar to decide the result. Unfortunately, Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes jumped too high but not wide enough over the triple bar and had the back rail off. The time fault he also incurred dropped the Brit to fourth. A hush descended over the sun baked arena as “Captain Canada” rode in. With the pressure of 62,250 people on his back, as well as his rider, In Style looked to be going well but when the first part of the double fell, so did the hopes of the knowledgeable crowd and Angot had won.
“I’m really proud to have won this competition. To have my name on that trophy, with all those great riders – I’m speechless. I didn’t expect to win with that one time fault, especially as I thought that there were better riders to follow me,” the delighted Eugenie said afterwards.”
“My mare has been going well all summer. We were second in the Grand Prix in La Coruna, Spain, recently beaten by him,” she said, pointing to Schroeder.
Eugenie lives half an hour west of Paris and is married to fellow rider Cedric, who she described as a “perfect husband and good groom”, having arrived on Thursday evening to help her out as her regular groom fell and broke her leg earlier in the week.
Canada’s Mario Deslauriers also gained his third win during the “Masters” when he won the Molson International Cup on Naomi.
Cl. 817 $75,000 Molson International Open I Cup - 1.20-2.0M
All Canada Ring - Table C, Article 239.
Pl. Horse Rider Time
1. NAOMI MARIO DESLAURIERS CAN 94.330
2. LIEFHEBBERS QUALITY LEON THIJSSEN NED 94.490
3. LUTOPIA MOLLY ASHE USA 94.550
4. ILOSTRA DARK EUGENIE ANGOT FRA 96.890
5. TAUBER VH KAPELHOF LUDO PHILIPPAERTS BEL 97.500
6. OCELOT KAREN CUDMORE CAN 98.960
7. REVELATION CARLA DIEWERT CAN 99.260
8. PIONEER LAURA KRAUT USA 99.370
9. ESTIVAL KYLE KING USA 102.040
10. MAROON WOUT-JAN VAN DER SCHANS NED 102.140
Cl. 822 $1,000,000 CN International Open II Cup - 1.30-2.20M
International Ring - Table A, Article261.5.2. Article 273.3.1
Pl. Horse Rider Faults Time
1. Cigale du Tallis Eugenie Angot FRA 0/1 77.137
2. Eurocommerce Milano Gerco Schröder NED 0/4 76.090
3. Desilvio Beezie Madden USA 0/4 76.516
4. Mozart des Hayettes Michael Whitaker GBR 0/5 75.834
5. VDL Groep Fleche Rouge Leopold Van Asten NED 4/4 72.985
6. Clausen Holger Wulschner GER 4/4 73.175
7. Armani** Jeffery Welles USA 4/4 74.090
8. In Style Ian Millar CAN 0/8 75.436
9. Anthem Laura Kraut USA 4/4 75.964
10. Turbo R Jos Lansink BEL 4/9 76.516
11. Robin van Roosendael Erynn Ballard CAN 0/13 78.374
12. El Campeons Tosca Will Simpson USA 4/12 73.485
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