Sun Life Derby Day at Spruce Meadows

Sun Life Derby Day at Spruce Meadows

^{Sam Walker (CAN) & Evita had no trouble navigating the bank on the new derby course.
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk} 

Sam Walker (CAN) Youngest Winner of the Sun Life Derby

Spruce Meadows (July 10, 2022) - Sunday of the Spruce Meadows 'North American' Tournament marks Derby Day! This year, a new track was designed by FEI Course Designers Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and inspired by the original Spruce Meadows derby course designed by Pamela Carruthers (GBR) back in the 80's. The new track is over 1km in length and features 18 obstacles (24 efforts) including the table top, open water, dry ditch, liverpool, bank at the south end other arena and of course - the devil's dyke.

Twelve horse/rider competitions stepped through the Spruce Meadows clock tower for the final competition of the 'North American' Tournament, the Sun Life Derby. Young Canadian Sam Walker riding Evita posted a four fault round putting him at the top of the leaderboard. He had to wait while recent Spruce Meadows Sun Life Derby winners Rowan Willis (AUS) and Jordan Coyle (IRL) were set to go at the end of the order.

Today it was good enough - a single rail on course at the "C" element of the devil's dyke was all that kept Walker from a clear round, but no one else could best it. Local Canadian rider Vanessa Mannix finished in second on a total of 6 faults (one rail and two time) and yesterday's grand prix winner Paul O'Shea (IRL) finished on a quick 8 faults.

"It's like a fairytale ending to the Summer Series for me. I'm definitely going to be coming back here (Spruce Meadows) for years to come and it means so much to me as a Canadian to just be here." - Sam Walker (CAN) on his first Spruce Meadows Summer Series Experience

^{Charlise Casas (USA) and Mustique VZ
© Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano} 

Charlise Casas (USA) wins the Lafarge CSI2* Grand Prix

Throughout the week, riders were qualifying in the 1.45M competitions to be the best thirty-five in order to qualify for the Lafarge CSI2* Grand Prix. Riders were challenged to complete 525m of track and twelve obstacles (15 jumping efforts) in under 84 seconds. A number of riders passed the first round test and advanced to the jump off. In a jump off field that featured a numbr of Spruce Meadows veterans, Spruce Meadows Rookie Charlise Casas of the United States bested them all. The 21 year old, riding Mustique VZ,  laid down an unbeatable clear round in a time of 39.15s.

 ^{Sofia Larrea Burillo (MEX) riding Drumconnick Verdi
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk} 

Sofia Larrea Burilllo (MEX) wins the NOV Tuboscope Barrage

The NOV Tuboscope Barrage 1.30M started competitions on the All Canada Ring for the final day of the Spruce Meadows 'North American' Tournament. Thirty-five horse/rider combinations contested the first round of competition over the course designed by FEI Course Designer Anthony d'Ambrosio (USA) and eight jumped the first round clear qualifying for the jump off. Today's victory belonged to Sofia Larrea Burillo (MEX) riding Drumconnick Verdi who had the fastest clear round in the jump off in a time of 40.54s.

The final competition on the All Canada Ring for the summer season was the Friends of the Meadows Barrage 1.30M. Thirty-four athletes were entered in the competition all looking to have clear round ones and advance to the jump off round. Eight of athletes were able to pass all the first round tests and challenge the jump off track. James Chawke (IRL) riding Etincelle de L'Isle produced the quickest clean round in a time of 39.92s to take the win. 

Images of the Day

^{James Chawke (IRL) & Etincelle de L'Isle
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk} 

^{Vanessa Mannix (CAN) cleared fence 13A of the new Sun Life Derby course
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk} 

^{Paul O'Shea (IRL) & Hellcat clear the final fence of the Sun Life Derby
© Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano}