Penelope Leprevost Takes Top Prize in $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m at Spruce Meadows 'Masters'

Taking the top prize in $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m was Penelope Leprevost and Dame Blanche van Arenberg.

September 9, 2013–The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ continued today with two top competitions in the International Ring. Taking the top prize in the $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m was Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Dame Blanche van Arenberg. The luck of the Irish was with Conor Swail today when he finished first and second in the $50,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m on Martha Louise and Lansdowne. The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament hosts the best show jumpers in the world through Sunday, September 8. The highlight events of the week are the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup on Saturday and the $1 Million CN International, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, on Sunday.

Penelope Leprevost and Dame Blanche van Arenberg | Photo ? Spruce Meadows Media Services

The $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m had 39 entries, but only five were able to find the clear track to the jump-off. The course designer for this week is Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. First in the jump-off was Olympic gold medalist Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Carpalo. They had eight faults in 43.99 seconds for fifth place.

Watch a video of highlights from Thursday’s competition!

Leprevost, who has won silver medals at European Championships and FEI World Equestrian Games, and Dame Blanche van Arenberg, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare by Clinton x Codexco, were next in and set the winning pace in 43.78 seconds with a clear rounds.

Leprevost revealed, “This is the first time I’ve gone fast with my mare. The dressage and the control is not perfect, but she always tries. My problem is in the turn; she doesn’t do them so good. The mouth is difficult. But in a straight line, she can go fast. She’s very careful. I tried to do my best.”

Regarding Spruce Meadows, she complimented, “It’s unbelievable. We heard a lot of super things about this show, but the difference when you can ride and come in the ring, it’s amazing.”

For Lamaze, setting a plan with his young, talented horse is paramount. “I have to be patient,” he acknowledged. “I don’t know have so many at the moment at this level. I have to do everything right and I have to get to know him and make him a better horse than he is today. I still have to take my time and be realistic about what I do, have a very solid plan, and stick to it. I have a good plan for this horse and so far it’s working.”

When he went in the jump-off today, he was not thinking of getting the most speed out of Powerplay. He explained, “To be honest, Powerplay is going to learn to go a bit faster, but it’s never going to be his forte. He’s not much of a racehorse. He spends a bit of time in the air, and he has a big stride. But he’s learned a lot. I basically didn’t see Penelope go, but I just rode the plan that was challenging enough for my horse, but wasn’t going to destroy my Nations Cup either. For me, I was happy with the pace.”

Final Results: $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m
DAME BLANCHE VAN ARENBERG: 2003 Belgian Sport Horse mare by Clinton x Codexco
PENELOPE LEPREVOST (FRA), Megret Genevieve: 0/0/43.78

POWERPLAY: 2004 Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Limbus
ERIC LAMAZE (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC: 0/0/44.56

CELLA: 2002 BWP mare by Cento x Chin Chin
BEN MAHER (GBR) Jane F. Clark: 0/4/45.52

CORTES ?C’: 2002 BWP gelding by Randel Z x Darco
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/48.40

CARPALO: 2001 Holsteiner gelding by Contender x Cicero
STEVE GUERDAT (SUI), Urs E. Schwarzenbach: 0/8/43.99

FLAMING STAR: 1999 AES gelding by Fairman x Unknown
CHARLIE JACOBS (USA), CMJ Sporthorse LLC: 1/75.87

EREGAST VAN’T KIEZELHOF: 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Latano
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Spy Coast Farm, LLC: 1/76.15

VERDI III: 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Hors la Loi III x Cantus
TIFFANY FOSTER (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC:1/76.35

OBIWAN DE PILIORE: 2002 Selle Francais gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Achmael
MARC DILASSER (FRA), Haras de la Morsangliere: 1/76.73

LACAN 2: 2003 Oldenburg stallion by Lando x Contender
PATRICK STUHLMEYER (GER), Bernfried Erdmann: 1/76.76

What did you think of this article?

Thank you for your feedback!