The ATCO Founders Classic got CSI 5* competition started yesterday during the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Canada. Fifty-two horse-and-rider combinations challenged FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios’s (VEN) track on the International Ring. Of those 52 athletes, only 9 jumped clear over throughout the first round to make it to the jump off. Of the 9 riders, 4 ride under the Canadian flag.

The pressure was on with this competition being the final qualifier for Saturday’s Suncor Winning Round and no one was about to let up. Young Canadian, Kara Chad (CAN), stepped through the clock tower for her jump off and was ready to give it her all.

The Canadian guided Viva, a 9-year-old Hanoverian mare (Now or Never M x Carbid) beautifully over all the 1.50m obstacles around the course, posting a quick clear time of 37.87 seconds,  – no one would be able to touch her.  Canada would take a second win on day two of the 2018 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament.

Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Farona (Baltic x Lux) secured the second spot on the podium backed by a penalty-free jump-off performance in 38.120 seconds.

Marcus Ehning (GER) and Firth of Lorne (For Pleasure x Stakkato) earned bronze honors with no penalties and a time of 38.520 during the tiebreaker.

“To win at any Spruce Meadows Tournament is special, but for me it’s really special as it’s where I’m from” – Kara Chad (CAN) on her first win at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

For full results, click here.

Source: Press release from Spruce Meadows Media

Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media/MikeSturk