Edited press release from Spruce Meadows Media

Friday’s final competition on the International Ring at the Spruce Meadows 'National' was the CSI5* 1.50m RBC Capital Markets Cup. Thirty-nine horse-and-rider combinations challenged FEI course designer Olaf Petersen Jr.'s (GER) track that was 455m in length and featured 12 obstacles. 

Ten of the eleven who posted clear rides in the first round elected to jump off. While Conor Swail (IRL) thought he may have had it in the bag with a clear jump-off round in a time of 36.73s with Theo 160 (Christian 25 x Calando IV), Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire proved him wrong. Aboard the stallion Otto BH (Norton d'Eole x Toulon), Derbyshire sailed through the finish line, clear, in an extremely quick time; 35.84s. Katie Laurie (AUS) and Cera Caruso (Casall x breeding unknown) took the third place with a time of 37.33 in the jump-off.

“It’s a whole different ballgame out there (the International Ring). It very much reminds of Aachen and Hickstead – big famous rings – and it’s very special to ride in them,” Amanda Derbyshire said about stepping through the iconic Spruce Meadows Clocktower onto the International Ring.