When $1 million is on the line, a rail can be expensive. Today, Sept. 7, at the Spruce Meadows Masters many a bank account suffered. For British rider Nick Skelton, however, the decision to skip the Olympic Games in Hong Kong paid off when a fresh Arko III accrued just 1 time fault in the $1 million CN International for the first-placed check of $350,000.
Skelton, now a four-time winner of the CN International (1985, 1992 and 1998), credited his 14-year-old Oldenburg stallion for bringing him back into the sport after a severe accident sidelined him and almost ended his career in 2000.
“He’s always been a special horse for me,” said Skelton. “He’s why I got back on after my accident.”
Skelton noted this was likely Arko’s final appearance at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alta., as the stallion’s owners plan to retire him from competition at the end of the year and redirect him to the breeding shed.
“It’s a pity because he’s jumping better than he has in his life,” said Skelton.
Canadian Eric Lamaze, who was in line to earn a $450,000 bonus for winning the CN International in the CN Precision Series, lost the most today when a rail at the infamous Dutch bicycle jump, the final element of Round 2, dropped to the ground. As the defending champion in the CN International, Lamaze had to settle for fifth.
“I think it was the most expensive rail in show jumping history,” quipped Spruce Meadows commentator Ian Allison.
While Lamaze was certainly disappointed, he pointed out that Hickstead’s incredible performances over the past month—including individual gold and team silver at the Olympic Games—more than made up for the lost income.
“He’s an incredible horse, and I’m so proud of him,” said Lamaze. “He’s just had one rail this week and two rails the whole summer.”
Cavalor Cumano and Jos Lansink, victors in the CN International in 2004, returned to full strength at Spruce Meadows after an injury sidelined the powerful gray stallion much of last year. They placed second with 3 time faults.
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Richard Spooner and Cristallo, fresh off their BMO Nations Cup victory the previous day, dropped a rail early in Round 1. Spooner immediately stepped up the pace for a quick time in an effort to finish in the top 12, and his strategy paid dividends as he qualified for Round 2 as the fastest of the four-fault riders.
After jumping the only clear in Round 2 over Leopoldo Palacios’ huge track, Spooner sat back to await his fate. “Every time a rail dropped, I made a little more money,” he said with a smile.
Eventually, the Californian leapfrogged up the standings from ninth to third and became the highest-placed U.S. rider.
Todd Minikus and Pavarotti jumped an impressive clear in Round 1 to stand second going into Round 2, but two rails late in the course (including the Dutch bicycle) relegated them to eighth place.
Today was Great Britain Day at Spruce Meadows, with special ceremonies honoring the relationship between the British and the Canadians, and it also seemed to prove fortuitous for the British show jumpers. Four of their five riders qualified for the second round in the CN International. Tim Gredley and Omelli placed sixth, Ben Maher with Robin Hood W finished ninth, and Robert Smith aboard Vangelis S were 12th.
Jaime Azcarraga of Mexico rode a brilliant clear first round with his scopey Dutch Warmblood stallion Presley Boy and led the way going into Round 2. A rail at the black CN Planks in Round 2 dropped him to fourth, however.
Top 12
1. Arko III/Nick Skelton/GBR (0-1)
2. Cavalor Cumano/Jos Lansink/BEL (1-2)
3. Cristallo/Richard Spooner/USA (4-0)
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4. Presley Boy/Jaime Azcarraga/MEX (0-4)
5. Hickstead/Eric Lamaze/CAN (0-4)
6. Omelli/Tim Gredley/GBR (0-5)
7. Ideal de la Loge/Roger Yves Bost/FRA (4-4)
8. Pavarotti/Todd Minikus/USA (0-8)
9. Robin Hood W/Ben Maher/GBR (0-8)
10. Rancorrado/Cian O’Connor/IRL (4-9)
11. Da Zara Porto Rico/Piergiorgio Bucci/ITA (0-20)
12. Vangelis S/Robert Smith/GBR (4-18)
