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Norman Dello Joio Successfully Defends his CN Reliability Grand Prix Title with Glasgow

Jean Llewellyn (Phelps Media Group, Inc.)

June 10, 2006

Calgary, Alberta, CAN --- ‘National’ Saturday at Spruce Meadows unfolded in the international ring with the 1m60 CN Reliability Grand Prix (Table A, FEI art. 238.2.2), worth C$200,000. This was the first Grand Prix in the CN Precision Series which runs throughout the Spruce Meadows summer tournament season, concluding with the CN International Grand at the Masters in September. Each Grand Prix awards a CN railroad spike to the winner, iron, bronze, silver and gold, which can be cashed in for a C$1 million bonus for any rider who can win all four Grand Prix classes. At the end of the Reliability Grand Prix, it was Norman Dello Joio who pocketed $66,000 and hammered the first spike, defending the title he won last year and previously in 2002. His win with the 15-year-old Glasgow equals the achievement of Ian Millar and the legendary Big Ben (1984, 1991 and 1992), although Millar retains the record for four wins with Warrior (1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987).

Although British course designer Bob Ellis’s personal perspective was that his track was perhaps a little lenient, that wasn’t how it rode, and the enthusiastic spectators, huddled in parkas against the chilly, single-digit temperature, had to wait for Mexico’s Santiago Lambre, drawn 21st, before witnessing the first clear round. Earlier, Canadians Kyle King and Erynn Ballard had posted four-faults apiece riding Robin van Roosendael and Capone I, respectively, while Joie Gatlin and Suncal’s King, from San Juan Capistrano, CA, left the ring with 12 faults.

Following his victory yesterday in the ATCO Midstream class riding McGuinness, Rich Fellers talked about the horror of losing his stirrups twice, in his winning jump-off round, and the undesirability of falling off at his age (46). He couldn’t, however, avoid the inevitable when Gyro, his 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, dropped his hindlegs behind the back rail of fence two, then pecked on landing, unceremoniously dumping Fellers onto the, fortunately soft, Spruce Meadows turf.

Following a handful of competitors, Mexicans and Canadians, determined to make matchwood out of the rails, the 12-fault round from New York’s Lisa Silverman and Obelix R was a welcome upturn in the proceedings, followed two riders later by the first clear from Santiago Lambre. The Mexican’s exemplary performance with Campino was immediately emulated by Eric Lamaze riding the exuberant Hickstead, and Ian Millar with In Style for Canada.

Another U.S. winner from ‘National’ Friday, Richard Spooner suffered the unlucky fate of incurring one time penalty which might have been avoided had Hilton Flight not stumbled on landing at the penultimate fence. Beezie Madden also had a less than perfect round with Judgement, who flattened over fence six and had a second rail at the final fence for eight faults. No such problems for Norman Dello Joio, however, even though Glasgow drifted right in their approach to the penultimate fence.

In the four-horse jump-off over eight obstacles, including a double combination ahead of the half-way point, Lambre, drawn first, took the cautious option and jumped a steady clear round with Campino which was good enough for 3rd place in the final reckoning. Eric Lamaze carried his determination in his pocket as he crossed the start line at a flat-out gallop, and although Hickstead is not the easiest horse at speed and loses time in the air over fences, the pair maintained their clean slate and clipped nearly four seconds off Lambre’s time to claim the lead. Although Ian Millar’s In Style is more conservative in his jumping presentation and made up time over Lamaze’s round, a costly error at the penultimate vertical relegated the pair to 4th place.

Although there’s an obvious advantage to being drawn last in a jump-off, veteran Norman Dello Joio confessed that it still gets his nerves jangling when he enters the ring. “I’m naturally nervous anyway, so it’s something you live with and learn how to channel it in the right direction.” On this occasion, Glasgow flew and produced a round worthy of the winner’s circle, crossing the finish line in 42.44 seconds to Lamaze’s 43.70.

Talking about Glasgow’s preparation for this event, Dello Joio said, “We did very little with him after the Florida circuit, and this year we even did very little in Florida, so I think it was a matter of him being very fresh.” Adding that, “He’s an older horse and a sound, fresh, old horse is an advantage in this sort of competition.”

Discussing the advantage of being drawn last in a jump-off, Dello Joio said, “Whether you prefer it or not, it’s a distinct advantage because you know exactly what you have to do.”

Given Glasgow’s advancing years, Dello Joio commented on the horse’s management, saying “He’s walking a little bit slower to the ring and there are certain signs about him that he’s changing, but we do very little jumping. If he gives me one or two good jumps in the schooling ring we leave it at that. We let him tell us, and we’re listening to what he’s telling us.” Having said that, Dello Joio was pleased to confirmn that Glasgow’s health is very, very good. “His legs are good, and because the footing here at Spruce Meadows is as good as anywhere in the world, it’s a great place to jump him.” Commenting on how fresh Glasgow appeared to be during their victory lap, Dello Joio added, “He’s a little like a labrador-retriever and will always be a puppy.”

With his own 50th birthday just two days away, Norman Dello Joio continues to take his own health and fitness very seriously. “Absolutely. I force myself these days to go to the gym. If I feel like I’m getting a little weaker or gaining a little weight I get myself back in the gym. It’s a sport that I love and if I’m going to ride I owe it to my horses to stay in shape.”

For complete Spruce Meadows National results, please visit: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/national.htm

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