Press release from Spruce Meadows

The final day of the Spruce Meadows 'National' CSI5* presented by Rolex brought sunshine and smiles throughout the grounds. Fans filled the stand on the International Ring to watch the best in the world compete for top spot in the final competition of the week.

The CNOOC International Cup 1.50m saw 64 riders start the competition to take on the big track by FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN). The track was challenging with only eight horse-and-rider combinations jumping clear rounds to proceed to the jump-off.

With eight riders in the jump-off, some risk had to be taken in order to put the pressure on those to follow. For half of the riders in the jump off, that risk paid off. Amy Millar (CAN), Jonathan Corrigan (IRL), Luis Pedro (ARG) and Beezie Madden (USA) all posted double clear rounds, but it was Madden and Darry Lou who sailed across the finish line with ease to post the fastest time of 41.94s.

"Both jump-offs I had to really go. These guys (Luis Pedro and Jonathan Corrigan) were really fast, same with yesterday. You take a shot and today it worked and yesterday it almost worked. That's the way it goes sometimes," Beezie Madden said on her jump-off in the CNOOC International Cup compared to her round in the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex.