Matthew Sampson shows his love of Fabrice DN following his win of the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley.
Edited press release from Spruce Meadows
Thirty-six riders qualified throughout the week for the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex. Any rider with hopes of victory had to pilot their horses over the 540 metre course designed by FEI course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) and leave all the fences up in a time under that allowed of 81 seconds. It was a challenging track, but six riders representing six nations rode clear rounds and made it into the jump-off.
Matthew Sampson (GBR) grew up watching Spruce Meadows on TV with the dream of competing and winning a big FEI 5* event in the International Ring – today was that day. Aboard Fabrice DN (Emilion x Baloubet du Rouet), Sampson laid down a quick, clear ride in the jump off with a time of 38.93s. Conor Swail (IRL) and Count Me In (Count Grannus x Sherlock Holmes) could not catch Sampson as they posted a time of 39.14s and would settle for second.
Matthew Sampson is all smiles as he raises the championship trophy with Mr. Jeff Boyd, Regional President, Alberta & Territories, RBC. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk.
"It's my first 5* Grand Prix win and for it to be at Spruce Meadows – it's a dream come true," Matthew Sampson said on winning at Spruce Meadows. "I grew up watching the greats (Michael Whitaker, John Whitaker and Nick Skelton) compete here, it's what I worked for."
The third place went to Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Gakhir (Spartacus x Indorado), that had the last double clear of the class. With four faults in the jump-off, Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Victer Finn DH Z (Va Vite x Stakkato) finished fourth and Beezie Madden (USA) on Breitling LS (Quintero x Accord II) fifth.
Then