'Continental' - Day 1
June 06, 2024
Amy Millar: ‘I Can’t Confirm All-Female Olympic Team, But I Think We’ve Got The Riders to Win’
Amy Millar & Christiano Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
June 6, 2024 (Spruce Meadows) - Amy Millar today addressed fan frenzy over a potential first-ever all-female Olympic equestrian team, saying: “My most important goal is that we put forward our strongest team because it would be really, really fantastic and special.
“I really believe we have good enough horses and riders to get something good done there (at the upcoming Paris Olympics). So that’s what I’m most excited about.”
Amy, who grew up riding at Spruce Meadows, was delighted to take the top spot at the main event on day one of The ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex, this afternoon.
And when prodded on whether she would enjoy being part of the first all-female squad in Paris, she conceded a little, adding: “Yes…I mean, I really like all of my teammates. Mostly I focus on what I can control and that is my own performance.”
Today’s test saw Amy take first in the 1.50m FEI event The Partners, with a clean 68.09s finish, beating 18 competitors from nine different countries.
A Special Way to Commemorate D-Day
Amy’s victory lap around the scenic All Canada Ring was lead by mounted troops from the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, as part of Spruce Meadows’ recognition of 80 years since Canada’s participation in the pivotal Second World War invasion known as D-Day.
President and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment, presented Amy with her trophy.
Amy added: “The amount of respect that this facility gives to all of Canada, and especially the military, is fantastic. When you look at the way the world is today you kind of wonder why we didn't learn more from all of the sacrifices of the past. My grandfather served and that is always on my mind as well.”
The course for The Partners was designed by FEI Level 4 Course Designer Marina Azebedo (BRA) and featured 11 obstacles (13 jumping efforts) across 510m.
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President & CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott presents Amy Millar with her trophy
All’s Well for Conor and Gamble
Ireland’s Conor Swail took first place in the 1.45m Mission:Possible, the first of our two CSI5* competitions on the All Canada Ring today, after beating a whopping 95 other entrants. Swail, atop 13-year-old gelding Gamble, posted a clear round of 64.28s.
Mckayla Langmeier (USA), piloting Chadina, came in at a very close second with a time of 64.49s, zero faults.
Cassio Rivetti (BRA) and Chaggall De Toscane were almost two seconds behind the winner, with a clear round at 66.01s
Conor Swail (IRE) & Gamble Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Victory for Canada’s Hailey
Hailey Dyck, of Canada, with HHS Sandy Lane were victorious on the Rocky Mountain Ring in the final Coril Holdings 1.20m event of the day.
Hailey Dyck (CAN) & HHS Sandy Lane Spruce Meadows Media/Kevin Udahl
A Faultless Ride For Kyle King
Kyle King (USA) came first with Diamond at 70.11s, no faults, on the All Alberta ring 1.40m Coril Holdings contest.
Kyle King & Diamond Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onysko
