The Pepsi Challenge (1.50m) was the final competition Friday of the Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ CSI 5*, presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta, Canada . Twenty-five horse/ride combinations stepped through the clock tower to take on the evening competition. Only six of riders, representing five different nations, would make it through round one with no faults.
Conor Swail (IRL) & GK Coco Chanel had been knocking at the door all summer for a trip to the winners circle, and it was was their night. Leaving the competition in the dust, the Irishman and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Clarimo x Lerano) stopped the clock at 43.61 seconds during the tiebreaker after registering no penalties.
John Perez (COL) & Classic Verte (Ticallux Verte x Indoctro) and Patricio Pasquel (MEX) & Tulum (Chacco-Blue x Captain Paul I) had a similar jump off plan with each posting a clear round and times of 44.91 seconds to tie for second place.
Conor Swail:
“He (GK Coco Chanel) likes coming here (Spruce Meadows) and every time he comes he grows up a little bit. I just had to be patient and the win would come.” – Conor Swail (IRL) on his horse’s consistent results throughout the 2018 Spruce Meadows Summer Series.
For full results, please click here.
Categories: CSI 5*, Spruce Meadows
