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Spruce Meadows "Continental"

Events from Thursday through Sunday

June 18, 2007

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, AB --- Continental Events

THURSDAY - French Air Force Lands at Spruce Meadows

French international rider Yann Candele scored his second victory of the Spruce Meadows Summer Tour with an electrifying jump-off win in the Husky Energy Cup at Spruce Meadows tonight. Of the sixty horse rider combinations that took to the Meadows on the Green course in the first round only thirteen were able to post clear rounds and advance to the jump-off.

The jump-off course in the $25,000 Husky Energy Cup tested speed, agility and scope. Each of the first six entries into the arena set a new standard to beat until Candele laid down the double clear in a blistering time of 33.281 seconds aboard his 10 year old Dutch bred mare Mustique. The margin of victory was more than a second over Richard Spooner (USA). Candele and Mustique have been together for only a few months yet seem to be finding their chemistry.

"This is my first major win with her and to do it at Spruce Meadows is very satisfying," said Candele. "She has such talent and quality that I think we will do very well together as our partnership grows," he added.

Candele hopes to have found his stride leading into the final three days of the Spruce Meadows 'Continental' tournament which concludes Sunday with the $100,000 CN Performance Grand Prix. Sunday's event will feature a world class field including American Lauren Hough who is in play for a $50,000 bonus in the CN Precision Series.

FRIDAY - Millar Time at Spruce Meadows

"Now that was sport!", exclaimed Ian Millar in the winner's circle at Spruce Meadows this evening after defending his title in the Devon Cup. "I don't care if you are a fan of pucks, balls, cars or horses that was real sport", he added in accepting the champion's cheque from Devon President Chris Seasons.

Millar, the all time career money leader at Spruce Meadows, with more than $2 million in Spruce Meadows earnings, had to work hard for it in a jump-off that featured some of the sport's biggest names. He would not surrender the title easily even with the likes of Eric Lamaze, Mario Deslauriers, and Beezie Madden chasing hard.

Eleven riders made it to the jump-off. Seven were Canadians. Eric Lamaze and Hickstead set a very fast pace of 34.372 which for a moment seemed unbeatable. That was until Ian Millar entered the ring. Millar and In Style pushed the limit beating Lamaze's time by over a second. Rounding out the top three was Mario Deslauriers with Paradigm.

The Friday night win for Millar, with his veteran gelding In Style, set him up nicely for the final two days of the Spruce Meadows 'Continental'. Millar's focus will now turn to Sunday's $100,000 CN Performance Grand Prix. It's one of the few events on the Spruce Meadows international calendar that the hall of fame rider from Perth, Ontario has yet to win in his incredible career.

The CN Performance Grand Prix is the second leg of the CN Precision Series and American Lauren Hough is in play for a $50,000 bonus.

SATURDAY - Canadians "Lamazing" at Spruce Meadows

Saturday's feature event at the Spruce Meadows 'Continental', the ConocoPhillips Canada Cup, turned into six horse showdown in an action packed jump-off with riders from Canada, the United States, and Ireland. In the end it was Canada's Eric Lamaze riding Narcotique de Muze who defeated Ian Millar (CAN) and Darragh Kerins (IRL) to take first place. Lamaze's margin of victory was less than .5 seconds over Millar. With the win Lamaze got to within striking distance of $1 million in Spruce Meadows career earnings.

"It was nice that my mare jumped so well and was able to have some pace. I was concerned with Ian following me in the jump-off that it might not hold up," said Lamaze. "Too many times in my career I've had to chase Millar. This feels good," he added.

Fifty five horse/rider combinations started the ConocoPhillips Canada Cup but only five were able to master the first round course and advance to the jump-off. Course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) was satisfied with the result and feels the athletes are now ready for the final test of the Spruce Meadows 'Continental', the $100,000 CN Performance Grand Prix. The event goes tomorrow on the Meadows on the Green course and acts as the second leg of the $1 million CN Precision Series. Lauren Hough (USA) is in play for a possible $50,000 bonus should she jump to victory tomorrow.

Competition is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm tomorrow in the Meadows on the Green Ring. There will be indoor seating available for spectators.

SUNDAY - Madden Rules at Spruce Meadows

Of the forty seven horse/rider combinations that nominated to start the $100,000 CN Performance Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows today only 34 actually made it to the start gate. Driving rain, gusty winds and a demanding course inspired 13 entries to scratch from the competition. None of the scratches however would have been considered prevent favourites. In the end the cream rose in dramatic fashion with 5 advancing to the jump-off.

Only three of the five were able to post double clears. Beezie Madden and Judgement, however, did so in fast efficient fashion to add the CN performance Grand Prix to their incredible resume. Canadians Eric Lamaze and Jill Henselwood finished second and third respectively.

"The conditions were tough for sure but the footing and course design really made for good sport," said Madden while accepting her winner's cheque for $35,000. "It was a terrific jump-off and I am very happy with the way I found my distances and with how Judgement responded," she added.

The Spruce Meadows Summer Tour continues this week with the "Skyliner" Junior/Amateur Championships.

For a complete tournament schedule and list of results visit the Spruce Meadows website at www.sprucemeadows.com

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