A Big Win for World Number One Steve Guerdat at Spruce Meadows

Calgary, Alberta – June 30, 2019 – There was a lively atmosphere surrounding the Meadows on the Green Ring for the 2019 ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Forty-seven international riders started the competition in hopes of making it to the winner’s circle. The technical track designed by FEI Course Designer Alan Wade (IRL) challenged the riders to jump 14 obstacles (17 efforts) clean in a time allowed of 87 seconds.

Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy
Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

Only six riders were able to jump a clean first round and advance to the jump off. Jennifer Gates (USA) was the first to go in the jump off and laid down a solid clear round with a time of 46.73 seconds. The lead didn’t last long as Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) put in a clear ride with a time of 45.54 seconds taking over the lead. The pressure to be fast caused Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Daniel Coyle (IRL) to have one and two rails respectively, with only one to go.

World number one Steve Guerdat (SUI) had been hungry for a win all summer with multiple top three finishes over the last three weeks of tournament. Aboard Venard de Cerisy, Guerdat kept his composure and sailed over the finish line with a time of 43.95 seconds to win the 2019 ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.

“It feels really good. I really wanted to win one of the main classes. I was close many times – four or five times second and third, which was good but just not good enough. Someone was always faster then me so being last knowing what I had to do was a big relief for me. I am leaving Spruce Meadows a better rider and my horses are better too,” said Guerdat on Sunday’s win.

Jordan Coyle and Picador Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano
Jordan Coyle and Picador
Photo: © Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano

Sunday morning at Spruce Meadows welcomed the sunshine to start the final day of the 2019 ‘Pan American’ Tournament, presented by Rolex. First up on the docket for Meadows on the Green was the West Canadian Cup (1.45m). Eighty-two horse-and-rider combinations took on Wade’s big track, attempting to complete the first round fault free in order to advance to the jump off.

Fifteen combinations passed the first round test and moved forward to attempt the shortened jump off track. With fifteen rider’s in the jump off, the pressure was on everyone to have a quick clean round.

Fourth into the jump off, Eduardo Menezes (BRA) riding Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs put down a clean and very quick time of 34.61 seconds. Jordan Coyle (IRL) was one of the last few riders to go in the jump off and continued to add to his successful Summer Series Tour. Aboard the quick Anglo Sport Horse gelding Picador, Coyle flew across the finish line and by two tenths of a second secured first place.

The ‘North American’ CSI5* Tournament, presented by Rolex will take place July 3-7 with some of the best in the world competing throughout the week.

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