'Pan American' - Final Day
June 30, 2024
A Great Day for Britain’s Matthew Sampson As He Takes The Grand Prix
Stallion Daniel gets his day as the duo win Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex
Rail Britannia: Matthew Sampson (GBR) sails over a 1.60m fence with much-loved stallion Daniel. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
June 30, 2024
June 30, 2024 (Spruce Meadows) — Matthew Sampson and Daniel ruled the day for Great Britain, taking the 1.60m Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex.
There were tears of joy ringside as Sampson, from Sheffield, hailed 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Daniel as ‘one of the most incredible horses’ he has ever worked with.
While Sampson has won two 5* competitions at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series so far, both victories have been aboard the more spritely 11-year-old mare One Whisper.
“I feel like it meant so much for Daniel to win,” said Sampson, 34. “He deserves it.
“If I were a horse, I would wish I was him. He’s one of the most incredible horses I’ve ever had.
“I feel like, when we don’t win, it’s always my fault.
“To win today feels amazing. It’s a dream come true.”
Sampson immediately took congratulatory phone calls from his mom, Ruth, and Canadian girlfriend Kara Chad, also a star show jumper, before telling us how much he enjoyed the challenge of the 14-obstacle, 17-effort course set out by French FEI course designer Gregory Bodo, who has been named a co-course designer at the upcoming Olympic Games.
“I’ve jumped quite a few of Gregory’s courses,” added Sampson. “And they’re never easy.”
Sampson faced seven other riders in the jump-off, including Paris-bound Canadian Olympians Amy Millar and Mario Deslauriers, who finished seventh and eight.
But it was Elena Haas (USA), aboard Westphalian gelding Claude, and her fellow American Kyle King, with Odysseus, who ended up sharing the prize pot, coming in second and third, respectively.
Double Delight: In an exrtraordinary course of events, the 1.45-1.50m West Canadian Cup ended in a tie between Mexico’s Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane, with Martialis, and Ireland’s Conor Swail, with Gamble. Incredibly, they both finished the jump-off at exactly 36.81s. They are pictured with George Brookman, Chairman and Company Ambassador, WCD. Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Celebrating Canada…a day early
Thousands of fans flocked to Spruce Meadows today as we celebrated an early Canada Day, presented by ATCO.
Check out some fantastic photos of the fun, below.
Join us next week, as the Spruce Meadows Summer Series culminates with the ‘North American’, from Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7.
Members of Inspire Dance Arts perform on the new Scotiabank Stage. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
More delightful dancers putting on a show. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
We have all kinds of horses here at Spruce Meadows! Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
One of many happy families enjoying the festivities today. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
We didn’t let the rain dampen our spirits… Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
