Mckayla Langmeier (USA) Wins the Sun Life Derby

Mckayla Langmeier (USA) Wins the Sun Life Derby

25-year-old posts only double-clear ride in daring grand finale derby, closing the ‘North American’

_{Mckayla Langmeier (USA) & Pepita VD Rollebeek win the Sun Life Derby © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

Mckayla Langmeier (USA) road to victory aboard Pepita VD Rollebeek in the final competition of the ‘North American’ at Spruce Meadows. A fan favourite, the Sun Life Derby features over one kilometre of track and 18 obstacles (24 efforts) that include a steep bank, double liver pools, dry ditch and of course - the notorious Devil’s Dyke.  

In a true test of skill and stamina for both horse and rider, Langmeier, 25, not only completed the first round of competition with no faults, but pulled off the only double clear of the competition. Pepita VD Rollebeek didn’t touch a single rail and crossed the finish line in the a time of 44.59s.

The original Spruce Meadows Derby track was originally designed by FEI Course Designer Pamela Carruthers (GBR) and while the sport has changed over the years, today’s track (modified by FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) & Santiago Varela (ESP) still pays homage to that original track.

“Spruce Meadows has done a fantastic job of maintaining the roots of the sport, and the riders are starting to understand that the derby makes the horses better.” - Leopoldo Palacious (VEN) on continuing the tradition of the derby at Spruce Meadows,  and an increased number of entries in the last couple years.

Top 10 Placed:

1. Mckayla Langmeier (USA) & Pepita VD Rollebeek
2. Nikolaj Hein Ruus (DEB) & Cape Town
3. Virginia Bonnie (USA) & Efodea
4. Kyle King (USA) & Odysseus
5. Jordan Coyle (IRL) & King Kannan GP
6. Will Simpson (USA) & Whoop de Doo
7. Laura Hazlett (USA) & Avianna
8. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Calippo 57
9. Katie Laurie (NZL) & Tulara Zirensky
10. Will Simpson (USA) & Chacco Blue Star

_{Grooms are the behind the scenes making sure our horses take top priority © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko}

_{Mckayla Langmeier (USA) jumped clear in the Sun Life Derby © Spruce Meadows Media/}

Jordan Coyle (IRL) Wins the Kubota Cup and seals his sixth FEI victory of the summer

_{Jordan Coyle (IRL) & For Gold win the Kubota Cup 1.50m © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

Jordan Coyle (IRL) aboard For Gold took the victory in the final speed competition of the Spruce Meadows summer tournaments. In the competition (where faults are converted to time) Coyle flew through the finish line in 75.59s.

Coyle and For Gold have won an astounding SIX FEI competitions this season at Spruce Meadows and won three-out-of-four of the Speed Competitions - only to be second in the Canadian Utilities Cup during the ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex.

Top 10 Placed:

1. Jordan Coyle (IRL) & For Gold
2. James Chawke (IRL) & Daido Van’t Ruytershof Z
3. Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) & Victer Finn DH Z
4. Sameh El Dahan (GBR) & WKD Aimez Moi
5. Kara Chad (CAN) & Corinna Z
6. Kyle King (USA) & SIG Chiari
7. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) & Heartbeat W
8. Patricio Pasquel (MEX) & Gazelle SM
9. Charlie Jones (GBR) & Capitale 6
10. Tamie Phillips (CAN) & Pico

_{Jordan Coyle (IRL) pushes For Gold onto victory © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

_{Jordan Coyle (IRL) is quickly becoming the Master of the Speed Competition at Spruce Meadows © Spruce Meadows Media/}

_{🇨🇦 Payton Roux (left) and 🇺🇸 Laurel Walker (right) have been named the final recipients of the Linda Southern-Heathcott (centre) Horsemanship Scholarships at this year’s ‘North American’ Tournament © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis}

Welcome to the Winner’s Circle

Congratulations to all of today’s winners

_{Arielle Allen (IRL) & Kandice Z win the Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.30m Jr/Am © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko}

_{Avery Griffin (USA) & Oh My Star Van Strytem win the Friends of the Meadows CSI2* Grand Prix © Spruce Meadows Media/David Moll}

_{Lukene Arenas Saravia (GUA) & Mestizo LS  win the Friends of the Meadows 1.40m Jr/Am © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko}