Final day of the 'Pan American', presented by Rolex
July 02, 2023
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Elisa BJX © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Matthew Samson (GBR) is Victorious in the West Canadian Cup, presented by WCD
July 2, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - The sun was out for the final day of the 2023 ‘Pan American’ CSI2*/5*, presented by Rolex. The West Canadian Cup, presented by WCD was the lone competition on the International Ring today. The top 35 riders, representing 11 nations, who qualified earlier in the week were ready to step through the clock tower in hopes of making it to the winner’s circle.
It was a jump off competition with tracks designed by FEI Course Designer Gregory Bodo (FRA). Riders who passed all the tests of the first round qualified for the jump off.
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Elisa BJX © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Today nine riders, representing seven nations, answered all the questions asked by Bodo in that first round. Matthew Sampson (GBR) has been knocking at he door for a big win all summer and he had been saving this bay mare, Elisa BJX, for this competition all week.
The pair had to hunt down Conor Swail (IRL) and Gamble who posted a fast clear round in the jump off with a time of 40.21s and with a push over the final fence Sampson stopped the clock at 39.48s taking the victory.
“Coming into this year I didn’t have the horses in quite as good of form as I could have, but they’re getting there now. That’s the great part about this place (Spruce Meadows) to bring the horses on (and have them grow).” - Matthew Sampson (GBR) on his second summer season at Spruce Meadows.
Conor Swail (IRL) & Count Me In © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Conor Swail (IRL) & Count Me In Win the Friends of the Meadows (1.50m)
The Friends of the Meadows (1.50m) competition was the final 5* event of the ‘Pan American’, presented by Rolex. Twenty-seven competitors took on the jump off competition over the track designed by FEI Course Designer Anthony d’Ambrosio (USA). Competitors had to jump a clear first round in order to qualify for the jump off.
Six combinations passed all the first round tests, but today it was Ireland’s Conor Swail riding Count Me In who posted the fastest clear round in the jump off. Swail posted a clear round in a time of 34.10s to take the victory.
Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) & Just Nice van het Indihof © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
The Crew (1.35m) was the final competition of the day on the North American Ring. Over 60 horse/rider combinations entered the competition in hopes of taking a piece of the $10,000 purse. It was a jump off competition, so riders had to post clear rounds in order to have a chance to make the winner’s circle.
Twenty-two pairs qualified for the jump off, and with a large field of competitors, the winning pair would have to be clear and fast. Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) aboard Just Nice Van Het Indihof were clear with the fastest time, crossing the finish line with a time of 37.90s.
The Best of the Rest
#504 Friends of the Meadows 1.10m
Lynne Stephenson (CAN) & WH Coconut
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
#508 Friends of the Meadows 1.25m
Beda Wachter (CAN) & Golden Cassini
© Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen at the 2022 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Tune into Rogers Sportsnet Tonight to Watch the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping! Tune into Rogers Sportsnet (SN1) on Sunday, July 2 at 9pm ET to catch the 2h telecast of the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The action will all unfold straight from Aachen, Germany.
For those unable to tune in at this time, you can catch the replay on Rogers Sportsnet on Tuesday, July 4 at 4:30pm ET - set your PVR!
More Photos from Today
Elisa BJX’s groom Brad Radford receives the Outstanding Groom Award, presented by El Tequileño following a victory in the West Canadian Cup, presented by WCD © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
First place receives a red ribbon and championship blanket © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Excellence © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Blue skies and picture perfect clouds © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Always a gentleman © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
One more week of winners to look forward to © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
