Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Canada — September 04, 2024 — Julien Gonin (FRA) took day one of the ‘Masters’, winning this afternoon’s $62,500 Cardel Homes Cup CSIO 5* feature competition with his mare Estrella de La Batia.
He won the 11-horse jump off, beating Olympians Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Ben Maher (GBR), who came second and third, fresh off their gold and silver medal victories at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Nonetheless, Guerdat, who rode Looping Luna, and Maher, aboard Exit Remo, earned a place in Sunday’s $3 million CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, with the top three from today’s Cardel Homes Cup getting a guaranteed entry.
The trio topped a starting group of 41 horse-rider pairings to dominate the course designed by the legendary Leopoldo Palacios (VEN).
Julien said: “You always know, when you’re competing at Spruce Meadows, to expect the highest level of competition.
“I’ve known that since I was kid, working as a groom for Michel Robert (the legendary French show jumper).
“I would be working with the horses, and didn’t dare dream of competing at Spruce Meadows. Yet here I am.”
Final Results — $62,500 Cardel Homes Cup CSIO 5*
1) Julien Gonin (FRA) & Estrella de La Batia — 0 / 0 — 40.59
2) Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Looping Luna — 0 / 0 — 40.65
3) Ben Maher (GBR) & Exit Remo — 0 / 0 — 40.69
Source: Press Release from Spruce Meadows Media
Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media / Mike Sturk
Discover more from JUMPER NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News France, Spruce Meadows
