Edited press release from Spruce Meadows

At Spruce Meadows, Matthew Sampson and Daniel (Heartbreaker x San Patrignano Mister) ruled the day for Great Britain, taking the victory in Sunday's CSI5* 1.60m Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex.

There were tears of joy ringside as Sampson, from Sheffield, hailed the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Daniel as ‘one of the most incredible horses’ he has ever worked with.

While Sampson has won two 5* competitions at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series so far, both victories have been aboard the more spritely 11-year-old mare One Whisper (Daniel x Kannan).

“I feel like it meant so much for Daniel to win,” said Sampson, 34. “He deserves it."

“If I were a horse, I would wish I was him. He’s one of the most incredible horses I’ve ever had. I feel like, when we don’t win, it’s always my fault."

“To win today feels amazing. It’s a dream come true.”

Sampson immediately took congratulatory phone calls from his mum, Ruth, and Canadian girlfriend Kara Chad, also a showjumper, before telling how much he enjoyed the challenge of the 14-obstacle, 17-effort course set out by French FEI course designer Gregory Bodo, who has been named a co-course designer at the upcoming Olympic Games. “I’ve jumped quite a few of Gregory’s courses,” added Sampson. “And they’re never easy.”

Sampson faced seven other riders in the jump-off, including Paris-bound Canadian Olympians Amy Millar and Mario Deslauriers, who finished seventh and eight.

But it was USA's Elena Haas, aboard Westphalian gelding Claude (Captain Jack 44 x Cefalo), and her fellow American Kyle King, with Odysseus (Osilvis x Riverman), who ended up sharing the prize pot, coming in second and third, respectively. Haas posted the only other clear in the jump-off, 2.31sec slower than Sampson, while King had one down but was 0.01 faster than the winning time.