The Akita Drilling Cup was the second installment of the Spruce Meadows Canada 150th Anniversary Speed Series hosted on the Meadows on the Green Ring. McLain Ward (USA) riding HH Carlos (Chellano Z x Voltaire), once again took the fast track, stopping the clock at 67.18, for another victory leaving him undefeated so far in the series. 

The identical ‘Canadiana’ themed course to last week’s ATCO Classic, was set today on the Meadows on the Green Ring for another great entry of speedy horse/rider combinations to produce another thrilling competition. The course rode a bit faster this week, with the top three horse rider combinations coming in under last Sundays’ winning time of 70.61. Ward commented, “the experience helped, the big thing is that you know what’s coming.”

With many of the same riders entered to compete in the second round of the series, Ward went on to say, “you knew where the horses were strong and weak last Sunday and where you might be able to take a chance.” He continued, “the footing was great last week considering the rain – though it was a bit of a heavy go because of the water; where as today I think course rode a little bit quicker across the ground.”

The Akita Drilling Cup saw a podium topped with red, white and blue. As last to go in the competition, Richard Spooner (USA), took the advantage to cross the finish timers at 69.19 to finish second with new partner Urzo Diso (Numero Uno d'Iso x Viking D'Oria), a 9 year-old Selle Francais owned by Gerardo Pasquel.

Finishing third with a time of 70.19 was the great Beezie Madden (USA). She once again rode the impressive Con Taggio (Contagio x Golliath Life), an 8 year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Abigail Wexner. It was also impressive to see the 17 year-old Student of John Madden stables, Madison Goetzmann, arriving to the finish for fourth place after a big win in yesterdays U25 Canadian Utilities Winning Round.