The CSIO5* Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament started yesterday with the AKITA Drilling Cup and the Finning Welcome competition. Spruce Meadows has been celebrating its 35^th anniversary this season. The ‘Crème de la Crème’ of international show jumping will be competing for the over $2 million in prize money over the five days of tournament.

AKITA Drilling Cup (prize money: $31.000)

There had been 44 entries for the opening competition. Pablo Barrios from Venezuela had a clear round riding his 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding G&C Lagran. The pair managed the 14 jumping-efforts perfectly. In the jump-off nine riders tried to remain clear and fast. Pablo Barrios was the fastest in 34.96 seconds and won his second International Ring victory at Spruce Meadows.

Results:

1.  Pablo Barrios (VEN) – G&C Lagran

2.  Ashlee Bond (USA) – Cadett 7

3.  Maurice Van Roosbroeck (BEL) Dylano

4.  Nathalie Van der Mei (NED) – Noble Lady

5.  Niels Bruynseels (BEL) – Carpalo

6.  Patrik Spits (BEL) – Va-Vite

7.  Yann Candele (CAN) – Game Ready

8.  Rik Hemeryck (BEL) – Challenge VD Begijnakker

9.  Jonathan Millar (CAN) – Piccobello Du Val de Geer

10. Nicola Fitzgibbon (IRL) – Puissance

Finning Welcome (prize money: $35.000)

The second competition of the day was the 1.60 metre Finning Welcome. A total of 27 horse/rider combinations participated. The British Guy Williams attended the International Ring competition for the first time and went clear in the first round riding his 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare ‘Belinka VH Overlede Goed’. Only three jumpers made it into the jump-off. Guy Williams finished in 40.025 seconds, the Belgian Rik Hemeryck needed 40.174 seconds.

Results:

1.  Guy Williams (GBR) – Belinka VH Overlede Goed

2.  Rik Hemeryck (BEL) – Quarco De Kerambars

3.  Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) – BMC Van Grunsven Simon

4.  Gerco Schroder (NED) – Eurocommerce Pennsylvania

5.  Niels Bruynseels (BEL) – Nasa

6.  Beezie Madden (USA) – Mademoiselle

7.  Robert Smith (GBR) – Raging Bull Vangelis S

8.  Guy Thomas (NZL) – Peterbilt

9.  Eric Lamaze (CAN) – Hickstead

10. Karl Cook (USA) – Uno De Laubry

On Thursday the following competitions are scheduled: ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup and the CANA Cup.

On Saturday the famous BMO Nations’ Cup will take place. Eight show jumping teams will compete trying to win the title and surely present top sport. The 2010 “Masters” Tournament is scheduled for Sunday with the $1 million CN International Grand Prix. If Eric Lamaze is the winner of the Grand Prix on Sunday, he will be the first rider to win three of the four legs in the history of the series.

For further information please visit www.sprucemeadows.com