Calgary, Alberta, Canada – September 15, 2021 – The second day of the Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ CSI 5*, presented by Rolex, started with yet another victory for former World #1 rider Kent Farrington (USA) in the International Ring.
FEI course designer Peter Grant (USA) did not go easy on the riders, offering a 530m track over 12 obstacles (14 jumping efforts) which saw several eliminations. Three riders, out of a field of nearly 30, made it through to the jump-off: Ashlee Bond (ISR), Conor Swail (IRL), and Farrington (USA).
The jump-off featured a short 350m track with a time allowed of 53 seconds. Ashlee Bond (ISR) started out with a fast pace and a clean trip aboart Contefina LVF, putting the pressure on Swail and Farrington to beat her time of 41.83 seconds. Swail and Gamble went next, and their quick pace cost them a rail over the final oxer, to finish on 4 faults and a time of 42. 52 seconds.
Farrington (USA) and Austria 2, the 13-year old Holsteiner mare, were last to go, and managed to keep all the rails up while laying down a fast enough time to nudge Bond out of the first place position. This was the second win for the pair in the International Ring this year, after having also won the TELUS Cup during the 2021 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
Final Results – $40,000 ATCO Cup CSI 5*
1) Kent Farrington (USA) & Austria 2 – 0 / 0 – 40.85
2) Ashlee Bond (ISR) & Contefina LVF – 0 / 0 – 41.83
3) Conor Swail (IRL) & Gamble – 0 / 4 – 42.52
Source: Press Release from Spruce Meadows
Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media / Tony Lewis
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