The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
Cristina Larangeiro of Portugal set the course for 28 entries in the Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m with six starters advancing to the jump-off and five double clear rounds. Richard Spooner and Legacy Stables LLC's Uraguay blazed through the short course in 33.45 seconds for the win.
Ireland's Darragh Kenny and Postage Stamp Farm LLC's Prof de la Roque finished second in 34.05 seconds. Egypt's Nayel Nassar and Lordan placed third in 35.75 seconds, and USA's Quentin Judge and Double H Farm's HH Donnatella finished fourth in 36.31 seconds. Paige Johnson (USA) and Salamander Farm's Cambito completed the fifth double clear round in 39.67 seconds.
Uraguay, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nairobi x Colino), is a brand new ride for Spooner, but the duo proved a promising partnership with a bold jump-off round and a huge effort to the final jump on course this evening. "It was pretty exciting actually because Sandy and Bob Mockoviak were here, and it was the first time that they had ever seen me ride one of their horses and they just flew in," Spooner noted. "That was pretty exciting to go clear, and then to really risk everything in the jump-off and risk again going to the last jump because that was crazy long, and he did it. I don't know how he jumped from that far away. The wall and that corner were coming up pretty quick, but I was so happy with him."
Spooner first rode Uraguay in Florida just before the start of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series in June and has only shown the horse two weeks before this competition. "I don't know much about him," he admitted. "He is super careful; he is fantastically careful. He is very fast, and he is a real trier. He is also just beautiful to ride. He is lovely, and he has a fantastic mouth. Todd Minikus rode him before me and Mario Deslauriers before that and Albert Zoer before that, so I am lucky getting to follow up some pretty top riders. I am happy that I can do him justice."