Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta Canada – July 09, 2023 – Thirty-five riders qualified for Sunday’s $75,900 Lafarge Grand Prix CSI 2* on the last day of the North American CSI 5* & CSI 2* at Spruce Meadows. It was a 510m track with 13 obstacles (16 jumping efforts) that had to be completed in 82 seconds or less. The course was designed by FEI course designer Santiago Varela (ESP), who had been designing the International Ring courses all week in a way that had allowed the horses to grow and progress.
Only eight horse/rider combinations and Canada had five chances to take top spot. Tiffany Foster (CAN) held onto top spot right up until the final horse entered the ring. Conor Swail (IRL) has had a phenomenal summer here at Spruce Meadows and he wanted to add one more victory to an impressive list of 24 top 3 placings.
Aboard the big bay gelding Gamble, the Irishman jumped to victory with a clear round in the jump off and a time of 41.58 seconds.
The next two highest-placed combinations were representatives of the host nation, both matching the winners’ two clean performances.Tiffany Foster (CAN) rode Com Es Ta towards silver honors in 41.58 seconds while Vanessa Mannix (CAN) and Lehar rounded out the top three in 45.65 seconds.
Over 62 competitions at the 1.45m height, Swail and Gamble have a clear round rate of 44% and are in the top 10 placings 45% of the time.
*stats courtesy of JUMPR App
Final Results – $75,900 Lafarge Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Conor Swail (IRL) & Gamble – 0 / 0 – 41.58
2) Tiffany Foster (CAN) & Com Es Ta – 0 / 0 – 43.90
3) Vanessa Mannix (CAN) & Lehar – 0 / 0 – 45.65
Source: Press Release (edited) from Spruce Meadows Media
Photos: © Spruce Meadows Media / Mike Sturk
Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News Ireland, Spruce Meadows
