In a truly international field, with entries representing nine nations, it was Richard Spooner (USA) aboard the 14-year-old Dutch mare, Pariska 2, who proved to be unbeatable with a double-clear and almost a full second in hand ahead of his closest competitor Mario Deslauriers and Whistler, a 9-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding.
Pepsi Challenge - Top 10
1- Richard Spooner USA Pariska 2
2- Mario Deslauriers USA Whistler
3- Kent Farrington USA Valhalla
4- Rich Fellers USA McGuinness
5- Shane Sweetnam IRL Rolette
6- Mark Armstrong GBR Thesaura
7- Hector Caro Elenes MEX Bourdy R
8- Brian Morton CAN Spitfire
9- Alec Lawler USA Glen Devon
10- Ljubov Kochetova RUS Santhaga
Later in the evening, Spooner cemented victory in the Lafarge Cup 1.50 m Final Four. Spooner and Apache, a 12-year-old bay gelding, along with seven others qualified for round 2. The course, designed by Deeg, proved to suit Apache and Spooner’s need for speed as they laid down a clear round in an unbeatable time of 44.02. He was 2 tenths of a second faster than McLain Ward of the USA and his Dutch Warmblood gelding, Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve.
Lafarge Cup - Top 10
1- Richard Spooner USA Apache
2- McLain Ward USA Pjotter Van de Zonnehoeve
3- Leslie Howard USA Lennox Lewis 2
4- Michael Whitaker GBR Viking
5- Mario Deslauriers USA Vicomte D
6- Eric Lamaze CAN Sidoline Van De Centaur
7- Eric Lamaze CAN Coriana Van Klapscheut
8- Sarah Johnstone CAN Starlet
9- Eduardo Menezes BRA Audis Reflection
10- Amy Millar CAN Costa Rica Z
Competitions will begin in the International Ring on Saturday at 11:00am where the riders will be vying for supremacy in the $80,000 TD Cup 1.50m and followed by the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth Cup. Large crowds are expected with the attendance of His Excellency, the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston and the Right Honourable, Stephen Harper.