Calgary, Alberta, Canada – June 29, 2019 – Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and H5 Chaganus were the winners of the $36,100 Friends of the Meadows Cup CSI 5* yesterday during the ‘Pan American’ at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Province of Alberta, Canada.

It shaped up to be a beautiful morning start to Saturday of the 2019 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ CSI 5* presented by Rolex, beginning at 8:30AM on the Meadows on the Green. The first competition of the day was the Friends of the MeadowsCup, a 1.50m  jump-off challenge. Fifty-three horse/rider combinations to take on the 480m track designed by FEI Course designer Alan Wade (IRL).

Following the completion of the first round, those riders who produced clear rides advanced to the jump off. Only ten horse/rider combinations would produce clear rides in the first round including some young up-and-comers from the United States Lillie Keenan (USA) and Jennifer Gates (USA).

There were some very quick clear rides in the jump-off, and Jennifer Gates (USA) and Alex  produced a very quick time of 33.93 seconds. However the American would have to settle for second place aboard the 15-year-old bay Westphalian gelding ((Arpeggio x Mon Cheri).

Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and H5 Chaganus, an 11-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Carthago) were the only ones fast enough to catch her, producing a penalty-free effort in 32.75 seconds.

Lillie Keenan (USA) was one of the last riders to go and did her best to catch Menezes, but  she and Skyhorse (Calvaro x Quidam de Revel) would end up tied to the hundredths for second place along side Gates.

Winner’s Circle – Eduardo Menezes 

“It’s a great feeling for me. This is the last class I  will do with this horse before the (2019) Pan American Games so it’s always good to finish with a win.” – Eduardo Menezes (BRA) on his Spruce Meadows win with H5 Changanus.

Results – $36,100 Friends of the Meadows Cup CSI 5*

Place / Rider / Country / Horse / R1 Penalties / R1 Time / Jump-off Penalties / Jump-off Time

1. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) & H5 Chaganus – 0 / 70.03 – 0 / 32.75

2. Jennifer Gates (USA) & Alex – 0 / 71.64 – 0 / 33.93

2. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Skyhorse – 0 / 70.44 – 0 / 33.93

4. Manuel Senderos (MEX) & Canabis R – 0 / 71.22 – 0 / 34.57

5. Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Fellini S – 0 / 69.03 – 0 /  35.30

6.  Hardin Towell (USA) & Joli Jumper – 0 / 71.60 – 0 / 35.38

7. Salvador Oñate (MEX) & Happiness van’t Paradijs – 0 / 68.97 – 0 4 / 33.13

7. Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) & Colorado 210 – 0 / 68.51 – 4 / 33.13

9. Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) & Audi’s Dimple – 0 / 71.94 – 4 / 33.81

10. Kent Farrington (USA) & Jasper – 0 /  71.87 – DNF

11. Andrew Ramsay (USA) & California 62 – 1 / 72.26

12. Angel Karolyi (VEN) & April Moon – 1 / 72.46

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Spruce Meadows Media

Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media / Ted Rhodes