Edited press release from Spruce Meadows Media

This week’s feature competition at the Spruce Meadows 'National', the $700,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, brought thousands of fans to Spruce Meadows for a beautiful day of top international showjumping. Twenty-nine horse-and-rider combinations challenged the 1.60m track designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) that counted 13 of obstacles and 16 jumping efforts with the time allowed set to 75 seconds.

Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Farmer) took the win with a time of 45.82 in the jump-off, ahead of Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Emerson (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Berlin) in second in 46.25. 

“I’m so grateful that Spruce Meadows has not changed their style, having huge grass rings because that’s really what’s the most natural," Keenan said. "I think horses come out of here better. One of the most special things about Spruce Meadows is that you have the atmosphere and a crowds that is rooting for every single rider that goes into the ring, and they truly love horses – that’s really what makes our sport so special. This is the biggest win of my life.”

Kara Chad (CAN) and Quidamo F (Quality x Chameur) placed third, while Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and Play (Luidam x Diamant de Semilly) finished fourth and Francisco Pasquel Vega (MEX) fifth  aboard Dominant 2000 Z (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) .