Maritimes Equine ...On-Line News: International Glory at the “National”

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International Glory at the “National”

June 5, 2008

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta --- Forty three competitors attempted Thursday’s 1.50M Prairie Mines & Royalty Ltd. Cup course set by, Guilherme Jorge (BRA). Of those, only seven were able to answer the questions posed by the fifteen jumping efforts, earning jump-off positions.

The jump-off course covered 370M with a time allowed of 56 seconds. The sharp turns required to make it over the course quickly proved costly for some of the jump-off riders, however, tight corners and quick rounds are the specialty of Leslie Howard (USA). Howard used speed to her advantage as she finished not only clear, but nearly a second faster than the second place finisher, Mario Deslauriers (CAN). Howard said her nine year-old gelding, Lennox Lewis 2, is starting to come into his own, “He went through a really green stage. Now he’s been really figuring it out. He’s starting to feel confident.” Looking at the week ahead Howard hopes to ride Lennox Lewis 2 in the Nexen Cup Derby on Sunday.

Evening competition was capped off by the 1.60M Spectra Energy Cup. The first round saw nine out of 37 starters earn jump-off positions, including Wednesday’s big winner Lauren Hough (USA). Hough’s quick, efficient mare had the advantage today, clearing the eight effort jump-off course in 35.74 seconds. She defended her 2007 title by a convincing margin, “With the fantastic riders behind me, I had to take a shot. My horse doesn’t spend a lot of time in the air, so I knew I had a chance. I really enjoyed that jump-off, it seemed like everything just fell into place.” Hough will look next to defend her title in Saturday’s 1.60M CN Reliability Grand Prix.

(See results below...)

International Ring competition commences tomorrow at 5:30 pm with the 1.50M ATCO Midstream Challenge which is followed by the 1.50M TransCanada Parcours de Chasse.

Spectra Energy Cup top 10 –

1-         Lauren Hough          USA                Casadora
2-         Eric Lamaze              CAN               Hickstead
3-         Beezie Madden         USA                Judgment
4-         Ian Millar                   CAN               Redefin
5-         Joie Gatlin                  USA                Suncal’s King
6-         Jill Henselwood         CAN               Special Ed
7-         Karen Cudmore        CAN               Southern Pride
8-         Federico Fernandez MEX               Bohemio  
9-         Chris Kappler                        USA                VDL Oranta
10-       Ian Millar                   CAN               In Style

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