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Fellers Back in the Winner's Circle

June 9, 2006

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta --- It's been a long time coming, but for Rich Fellers from Wilsonville, Oregon, the taste of victory in the International Ring is still just as sweet.

The last time Fellers rode a victory lap in Show Jumping's most formidable arena was when he and his mount McGuinness won the Shell Cup Derby in 2004.

Fellers surprised everyone - including himself - Friday night at the Spruce Meadows "National" by managing to hold on to his lead in the ATCO Midstream Winning Round (1.50m) despite a very early position in the competition.

"It's very unusual in a competition like this, with this calibre of competitors, for the first two horses to win," says Fellers.

Even in victory Fellers remains humble. "I made some mistakes," he says sheepishly "Other people didn't notice them, but I did. I actually lost a stirrup two different times."

Fellers finished the ATCO Midstream Winning Round with no faults over three rounds and a jump-off time of 40.51, narrowly edging out France's Yann Candele who finished in 40.79.

Later in the evening fellow American, Richard Spooner, won the RBC Capital Markets Winning Round (1.45m) aboard his relatively young mount Cristallo. Spooner has been grooming Cristallo for International competition since he bought him a few years ago.

"He was a bit feisty when I was first looking at him," says Spooner, "but it seemed like there was something special under his insanity."

Spooner's hard work is now beginning to pay off with his young horses with four ribbons under his belt so far at the "National" and the potential for many more to come this weekend. He will be looking for a hat-trick tomorrow in the TransCanada Parcours De Chasse.

Saturday's second featured event, the CN Reliability Grand Prix will serve as the first leg in the $1 Million CN Precision Series and a key event in the race for the Spruce Meadows Canadian Championship¯™. Eric Lamaze of Shomberg Ontario leads in the standings over Beezie Madden and Norman Dello Joio.

For full results and schedule information, please go to www.sprucemeadows.com

RBC Capital Markets Winning Round 1.45m

1.  Richard Spooner/Cristallo/Agua Dulce, CA/0 - 40.11
2.  Eric Lamaze/Lorraine Z/Schomberg, ON/0 - 42.21
3.  Sydney Chapman/Cassandra B/Duncan, BC/0 - 54.61
4.  Ian Millar/Redefin/Perth, ON/4 - 43.78
5.  Leslie Howard/Raimond W/Westport, CT/4 - 46.15

 

ATCO Midstream Winning Round 1.50m

1.  Rich Fellers/McGuinness/Wilsonville, OR/0 - 40.51
2.  Yann Candele/Verita Van't Martendonkerf/France/0 - 40.79
3.  Eric Lamaze/Ramiville/Schomberg, ON/0 - 41.29
4.  Mark Armstrong/Thesaura/Great Britain/0 - 41.35
5.  Eric Lamaze/Narcotique de Muze II/Schomberg, ON/0 - 41.54

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