Press release from Spruce Meadows

The competition started early in the International Ring on day two of the 2019 'National' CSI5* presented by Rolex with the Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45m. Fifty horse-and-rider combinations competed in the one round competition against the clock, trying to produce the fastest clear round.

A familiar face to Spruce Meadows, Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and his speedy mare H5 Caruschka 2 were the only combination to produce a clear round and break the 70 second mark with a quick time of 69.27s.

"It always helps, it gives you confidence as you move into the weekend," Eduardo Menezes (BRA) said about posting a win early in the week.

The International Ring winner's circle at Spruce Meadows is not just a place for the veterans of the show jumping world. Thursday morning's 1.45m Cardel Cup saw an array of horses and riders looking for their moment in the spotlight as a Spruce Meadows Champion.

Over 50 horse-and-rider combinations started the competition including top international riders Kent Farrington (USA), Steve Guerdat (SUI), Philipp Weishaupt (GER) and Eric Lamaze (CAN). None were able to best the time of seventeen year-old Brian Morggre (USA) and his home-bred chestnut mare MTM Flutterby. The duo posted a quick clear ride with a time of 65.62s to beat out some of the best to the winner's circle.

"It's pretty sureal, I wasn't expecting to be here this year early in the circuit but here we are and it's awesome," Brian Moggre (USA) commented on his first trip to the Spruce Meadows winner's circle.