On her first ever visit to Spruce Meadows, Madison Goetzmann (USA) made her presence known in this morning’s Canadian Utilities U25 Winning Round competition.

For 17 year-old Madison Goetzmann, her first trip to Spruce Meadows is one she won’t soon forget. Goetzmann said “So far my time at Spruce Meadows has been an incredible experience, I really love this show – I’ve been wanting to come for the last few years and it just happened to work out this year – I’m really grateful to be here!” Her edge on course did not necessarily come from her plan of attack in the Winning Round jump off but instead from her partner, an 8 year-old -18 hands tall- Selle Francais gelding Atticus Diamant (Diamant de Semilly x Vas Y Donc Longane), she commented, “I think I definitely have an advantage with this horse because he has such a big stride and covers the ground so easily. I’m able to make some pretty big moves – so it really was Atticus who gave me the edge today.”

Following behind for second was 23 year old Jorge Canedo Vincent of Mexico aboard Caitari (Carinue x Cincaba Rouge), an 11 year-old Oldenburg mare. Vincent (MEX) arrived at the finish line 0.71 seconds behind Goetzmann. The closest time to follow for a third and fourth place finish was Ben Asselin of Calgary, Alberta. The 23 year old Asselin(CAN) looked to be the one to beat in the early goings of the winning round, but ended up a whole four seconds behind the leader aboard his third place mount, the 11 year-old Holstein mare Wahrhaftige (Clearway x Coronado).