Edited press release from Spruce Meadows

Richard Vogel (GER) and the 12-year-old stallion United Touch S (Untouched x Lux Z) helped boost the tally of Spruce Meadow's new charity fundraiser Jump for Jasper to $40,670 as they delivered a double clear to win Thursday’s CSIO5* 1.55m CANA Cup at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' in Calgary, Canada. 

Second and third place finishers in Thursday's CANA Cup, Ben Maher (GBR) with Enjeu de Grisien (Toulon x Andiamo), and Max Kúhner (AUT) on Elektric Blue P (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure), also added a couple thousand dollars to the pot as they went double clear over the challenging course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN).

The amount reflects a two-day total of 83 clear rounds completed by riders in four International Ring-competitions so far — with an anonymous donor giving $490 for each clear round delivered in the ring across the entire five-day ‘Masters’ tournament. 

Following Thursday’s CANA Cup, Vogel – the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva in 2023 – told how 'very badly’ he wants to win Sunday’s CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, to get back on track for Rolex Grand Slam contention.

“We want to win very badly,” said Vogel, who would need to win three consecutive Rolex Grand Prix events to win the coveted Grand Slam title. “Sunday’s Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious classes in the world. I have United Touch which is an opportunity you don’t have often in your life. While I have him, I should try to win it with him. You never know when you will get a horse that can jump the big jumps so easy like he can. With him underneath me I have a good chance and the opportunity to do it."

Earlier in the day, Michael Pender (IRL) and HHS Cornetta (Cornet Obolensky x Acorado) triumphed in the CSIO5* 1.50m ATCO Cup, following an 11-horse jump-off. Amy Millar (CAN) and Christiano (Canoso x Compliment) came second, while Donald Whitaker (GBR) with Millfield Colette (Cornet Obolensky x Clearway) finished third.