Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta, Canada – September 09, 2022 – The $137,700Tourmaline Oil Cup CSIO 5* was the final competition, for athletes not competing in the $600,000 BMO Nations’ Cup CSIO 5*, to qualify for the $3,000,000 CP ‘International’ Grand Prix CSIO 5*, presented by Rolex on Sunday. Over 50 competitors stepped through the iconic Clock Tower onto the International Ring to take on the challenging track designed by FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN).
Over the track with 12 obstacles (15 efforts), only six of athletes, representing six nations, passed all the tests to advance to the jump off. Today, victory belonged to the United States. Veteran rider McLain Ward (USA) aboard his championship horse, HH Azur, were in top form. The American and the 16-year-old bay Belgian Sport Horse mare (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui van de Zuuthoeve) sailed over the final fence in a time of 40.74 seconds and could not be caught.
Three of the favorites for the grand prix next Sunday stamped their ticket to main contest. After finishing second in the $75,000 Cana Cup CSI0 5*, Daniel Deusser (GER) and Bingo Ste. Hermelle (Number One D’Iso x Diamant de Semilly) repeated the feat in Friday’s feture class, leaving all the poles up for no penalties for silver honors. in 41.04 seconds.
As the only Rolex Grand Slam winner ever Scott Brash (GBR) showed great form with Hello Jefferson (Cooper van de Heffinck x Irco Mena), completing the podium after backed by a clean scorecard and a jump-off time of 45.92 seconds.
Winner’s Circle – McLain Ward (USA)
“It is exactly what you expect at Spruce Meadows. Leopoldo (Palacios) has to deal with the top horses and riders in the world.” McLain Ward (USA) on coming and competing at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
Final Results – $137,700 Tourmaline Oil Cup CSIO 5*
1) McLain Ward (USA) & HH Azur – 0 / 0 – 40.74
2) Daniel Deusser (GER) & Bingo Ste. Hermelle – 0 / 0 – 41.04
3) Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Jefferson – 0 / 0 – 45.92
Source: Press Release from Spruce Meadows Media
Photos: © Spruce Meadows Media / Mike Sturk / Dave Chidley
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News USA, Spruce Meadows
