CSIO5* Spruce Meadows: Canada take Nations Cup win on home soil while the anticipation rises ahead of today’s Rolex GP.

Canada put home advantage to good use yesterday by winning the Canadian stage of the Nations Cup. The team was made up as follows: Ian Millar with Dixson, Tiffany Foster on Tripple X III, Ben Asselin with Makavoy and Eric Lamaze on Zigali PS.
The side coached by Mark Laskin collected a total of 9 penalties but that was still good enough for victory and prize money of 115 thousand dollars. The Canadian’s didn’t even need Eric Lamaze and Zigali PS to take to the field for the second round after Ben Asselin with Makavoy recorded clears in the first and second round.
Second place went to Robert Ridland’s USA with a total of 13 penalties. The score by Lauren Hough on Quick Study in the second round wasn’t kept (9 penalties of which 5 in the first and 4 in the second). Leslie Howard collected 4 penalties with Tic Tac in the first round, McLain Ward 5 penalties in the first round and 4 in the second with HH Carlos Z whereas Beezie Madden on Simon was in excellent form recording clears in both rounds.
The final podium slot was taken by Belgium coached by Philippe Le Jeune after collecting a total of 21 penalties. The best performance from the Belgians came from Niels Bruynseels with Pommeau du Heup (1 and 4 penalties) followed by Olivier Philippaerts on Cabrio van de Heffinck (4 – 4) and Pieter Devos on Dylano (0 – 8). Both of the scores recorded by Nicola Philippaerts on Challenge vd Begijnakker were discarded (8 and 17).
In 4th place we find France with 23 penalties. The team was made up as follows: Penelope Leprevost & Nayana, Jerome Hurel & Quartz Rouge, Cedric Angot & Quartz Rouge, Cedric Angot & Rubis de Preuilly and Kevin Staut & Estoy Aqui de Muze.
5th- Switzerland with 28 penalties: Alain Jufer & Wiveau M, Nadja Peter Steiner & Capuera II, Steve Guerdat & Concetto Son, Marie Etter & Admirable.
6th – Great Britain with 37 penalties: William Whitaker & Fandango, Guy Williams & Zaire, Robert Whitaker & Catwalk Z, Michael Whitaker & Cassionato.
7th-  Germany with 17 penalties in round 1: Christian Ahlmann & Cornado II, Marco Kutscher & Van Gogh, Andre Thieme & Conthendrix, Daniel Deusser & Fyloe vh Claeyssenhof.
8th Ireland – 18 penalties in round 1: Conor Swail & Lansdowne, Dermott Lennon & Loughview Lou Lou, Billy Twomey & Diaghilev e Shane Breen & Golden Hawk.
For a full breakdown and list of the results, please see here: https://www.horseshowjumping.tv/files/1410655978783_817.pdf
There was another competition taking place yesterday in the form of the Suncor Energy trial over 1.50m which was won by Conor Swail on Martha Louise. Second place went to Eric Lamaze on Fine Lady 5 and third place to William Whitaker on Upperclass.
Today meanwhile there is great anticipation ahead of the Rolex GP. For the starting order please see here: https://www.horseshowjumping.tv/files/1410661234562_818.pdf