Edited press release from Spruce Meadows
The first day of the 'National' CSI5*, presented by ROLEX, opened with the Recon Metal One Round competition. Hyde Moffat (CAN), and his mount Grafton, had the honour of being the first horse and rider combination to step through the clock tower and out onto the International Ring in nearly 2 years.
In total, thirty-five horses took on the 1.45m course designed by FEI course designer Anthony D'ambrosio (USA). This track featured 11 obstacles and 13 jumping efforts, and was a nice welcoming course for riders to tackle on the first day of the September Series.
12 riders came out of the International Ring with clear rounds, putting the pressure on for them to have quick times in order to place. In the end, it was Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Calypso Des Matis (Padock du Plessis x Tresor de Cheu) who took the win with a clean round and a time of 63.61 seconds. Hyde Moffat came in a close second aboard Donjo (VDL Zirocco Blue N.O.P x Ahorn), with a time of 63.87 seconds, while third place went to Beezie Madden (USA) and Breitling LS (Quintero x Accord II) in 64.23 seconds.