Press release from Spruce Meadows
Despite challenging weather, 39 horse-and-rider combinations jumped the 2019 ATCO Challenge 1.45m. Nine clear rounds were posted by eight nations - two of them belonging to Canadian favourite Eric Lamaze.
The jump-off began and the rain continued to fall, but that didn't slow the riders down. World #1 Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Swedish rider Mariano Maggi both posted quick clear rides only tenths of seconds off from each other at 40.13s and 40.60s respectively. Spencer Smith of the United States was the only one to break the 40 second mark with a time of 39.44s to clinch first place.
"This is a very special place (Spruce Meadows). If you can win here, you can win anywhere," Spencer Smith (USA) commented on winning the 2019 ATCO Challenge.