Frances Land raises her first trophy in the International Ring with Ken Morgan, Vice President, Sales Support of Pepsico Beverages Canada (Spruce Meadows Media Services)

Calgary, Alberta - Out of a starting field of 77 entries, 11 went to the jump-off, but no one was able to catch Frances Land (USA) and Vieanne. They blazed around the shortened course in 37.99 seconds for victory.

Land was only thinking speed when she entered the ring for the jump-off. “A class like this you have Eric Lamaze, you have Kent Farrington, you have Charlie Jayne, you have Reed Kessler, you have everyone who has ever been fast in the entire world, so you have to kind of go for it,” she exclaimed. “There were only 11 clean, so my dad told me to just go in there - and she is so fast naturally - (and) to leave out strides, make quick turns, and she will be fast and hopefully it will hold up. I think I went a little crazier than I was supposed to, but it worked, so today it was a good thing.”

Land said she was surprised that her time held up in the jump-off. “Whenever (you) think (you) go fast, then you have Eric [Lamaze] who beats you and makes you look like you went very slow. But my horse is just so naturally fast that turning quickly and opening her up and using her big stride really helped me out. It was definitely a surprise. I thought someone would catch me,” she admitted.

Horses are a family affair for the Lands. Her father Jay is her trainer and her mother Kim is a rider, as is her sister Taylor. “I heard them announce (that I won) and then my dad came running down with the cooler. He trains me, so it is nice to be able to share victories with him. It makes it a little bit more special because he is a rider too, so he understands. They are all here, so we do it together,” she said.

Final Results: $33,000 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m

1. VIEANNE: 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Andiamo x Voltaire

FRANCES LAND (USA), Frances Land: 0/0/37.99

2. LIGIST: 2000 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Levantos II x Robin Z
REED KESSLER (USA), Reed Kessler: 0/0/38.20

3. RONALDO DE LA POMME: 2005 Selle Francais stallion by Stakkato x Darco

CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 0/0/39.73

4. LASKARA R: 2003 Westphalian mare by Lordanos x Fabriano
ALISON ROBITAILLE (USA), M/M Bertram Firestone: 0/0/40.60

5. CABALLITO: 2002 Holsteiner gelding by Contendro x Argentinus
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ (VEN), Arao Enterprises LLC: 0/0/41.48

6. LERCHE 37: 2002 Holsteiner mare by Quantum x Linaro

TAMIE PHILLIPS (CAN), Tamie Phillips: 0/0/42.95

7. WAOMI: 2003 KWPN mare by Lupicor x Boreas
MEAGAN NUSZ (USA), Amalaya Investments: 0/0/44.18

8. ZAFIRA: 2004 KWPN mare Nassau x Cappucino van Berkenbroek
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Haity McNerney: 0/4/41.25

9. WANG CHUNG M2S: 2003 KWPN stallion by Royal Bravour x Ahorn

ERIC LAMAZE (CAN), Morningside Stud & Torrey Pines Stable: 0/4/44.60

10. ZERNIKE K: 2004 KWPN gelding by Sam R 60 x H Topas
BRIANNE GOUTAL (USA), Remarkable Farms LP: 0/4/48.74