With this photo special, we look back at the 2023-edition of CSIO5* Odlum Brown BC Open at Thunderbird Show Park in Vancouver, Canada – all through the magical lense of Mackenzie Clark.
The Irish team – led by Chef d'Equipe Michael Blake – took their first Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ win of the season, and their second CSIO5*-title of the year, and as usual the competition brought everyone to the tip of their toes.
All photos © Mackenzie Clark.
Full focus: Alison Robitaille getting on Oakingham Lira.
All we need is love... Lacey Gilbertson taking a moment with Karlin van'T Vennehof.
An eye for details...
Mario Deslauriers inspecting the Nations Cup course.
Making friends!
Black beauty: IB Chica and Tanimara Macari for Team Mexico.
A beautiful, traditional backdrop at Thunderbird.
The stars aligned for USA's Shawn Casady as the 28-year-old recorded the biggest victory of his career with NKH Cento Blue in the CSIO5* 1.60m Longines Grand Prix.
Shawn Casady...
...and NKH Cento Blue.
Another impressive grey coming through for Shane Sweetnam; the only 9-year-old Out of the Blue SCF placed second in the Longines Grand Prix.
Got to love Landon! Kent Farrington in action for the US team that took the third place in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Canada.
Mexico's Federico Fernandez and Davidoff, clear for the Mexican team in the second round of the Nations Cup.
Team Canada's Mario Deslauriers and Emerson flying over the open water.
Amy Millar and Truman jumped clear for the second-placed Canadian team in round one in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Canada.
James Kann Cruz and Shane Sweetnam collecting air miles with a double clear for Ireland in the Nations Cup.
Tiffany Foster and Battlecry in the Longines Grand Prix.
Erynn Ballard and Gakhir; double clear for the hosts in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Canada.
A full house for the Nations Cup!
It takes a village... Federico Fernandez and Mexico's Chef d'Equipe Mark Laskin.
Canada's Kara Chad and Igor GPH jumped clear in round one of the Longines Grand Prix, finishing fourth.
A special bond...
Talking tactics? Team USA's Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland in deep discussion with his Irish counterpart Michael Blake.
With them every step of the way...
...Irish Chef d'Equipe Michael Blake could not contain his excitement!
Captain Canada Ian Millar was delighted with his team that took the runner-up spot behind the Irish.
The Canadian team; Amy Millar and Truman, Mario Deslauriers and Emmerson, Erynn Ballard and Gakhir as well as Tiffany Foster aboard Hamilton.
Another champagne shower for the Irish squad!
Thank you for now, Thunderbird!
Then