Adrienne Sternlicht and Faquitol-S won the CSI5* 1.50m Recon Metal Cup at Spruce Meadows 'National'. Photo © Mackenzie Clark.
Edited press release from Spruce Meadows Media
Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Faquitol-S (Verdi TN x Carolus II) won Wednesday's CSI5* 1.50m Recon Metal Cup at the Spruce Meadows 'National'.
The Recon Metal Cup was the first competition of the week where riders could qualify for the weekend’s RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex. The track featured 11 obstacles that had to be jumped clear and completed in 71 seconds or less in order to claim a clear round.
Spruce Meadows veteran Kent Farrington (USA) riding the quick chestnut Creedance (Lord Z x Notaris) held down first place almost through the competition. The pair had posted a clear ride with a time of 64.54s that seemed to be untouchable.
Adrienne Sternlicht had gained some confidence aboard Faquitol-S in the previous week of competition and knew she could take advantage of the gelding’s large stride. Sternlicht crossed the finish line clear in a time of 62.90s, snatching the win from Farrington. Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and Play (Luidam x Diamant de Semilly) took the third place with a time of 68.49 seconds.
“It’s just the most wonderful feeling walking into the ring. Last week gave me a lot of confidence that this horse can be competitive,” Adrienne Sternlicht said after her win.
A first and third for Sameh El Dahan in the CSI5* 1.45m Township Planning & Design Cup
Sameh El Dahan and WKD Toronto, winners of the CSI5* 1.45m Township Planning & Design Cup. Photo © Mackenzie Clark
In the CSI5* 1.45m Township Planning & Design Cup, thirty-five horse-and-rider combinations took on the track designed by FEI course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) that featured 10 obstacles that had to be completed in a time of 66 seconds or less.
With less than 10 horses left to go, the lead was held by Robert Blanchette (IRL) and Chardonnay (Comme Il Faut 5 x Jus de Pomme. The pair had put in a very quick, clean ride with a time of 60.54s that seemed to be untouchable.
One of the last few riders to go was Sameh El Dahan (GBR) with his second horse of the competition, WKD Toronto (Tornesch x Carnaval Drum). Having ridden the course once already with WKD Balou Breeze (Balou du Rouet x Cavalier Royal), El Dahan knew what to expect. Aboard WKD Toronto, he posted the fastest clear round with a time of 60.41s. He would also finish in third place with WKD Balou Breeze.
“The footing is great and the horses really love it here. I went fast with both horses and didn’t slip once which just shows how good it (the footing) is,” Sameh El Dahan said.
Then