The sun shone down on the International Ring for the $1,000,000 CN International Grand Prix on Sunday, September 11, however, the brightest star of the day was Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY. She and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Judgement went clear through three rounds of competition to capture a prize of $325,000.

It was a class that hosted 49 horse and rider combinations over three very challenging courses set by Leopoldo Palacios. The first round included a very difficult triple combination that tripped up many horses and ranged from 1.40 meters to 1.60 meters. Despite worries about the footing and the controversy that came from the cancellation of the Nations’ Cup on September 10, 12 riders managed to clear the first round.

For the second round, Palacios and his crew moved jumps to drier, more intact ground and set a new course that included a very short one-stride in front of the in-gate that turned to a very tall upright vertical. Palacios also set a very tight time allowed that caught two riders. Canadian favorite Mario Deslauriers and Paradigm and German Olympian Ludger Beerbaum and L’Espoir Z both had a heartbreaking one fault. Five riders in the second round had more than four faults, while four ended up with just one rail.

The sixth horse back in for the second round was the handsome Oldenburg stallion Arko III and British rider Nick Skelton. They powered around the course for the first double-clear round. Four horses later, Madden and Judgement put in a clear round and thrilled the packed bleachers. The last one to return for the second round was Eric Lamaze and his somewhat experienced mount Hickstead. The Canadian crowd held their collective breath for their countryman, and screams of disappointment sounded throughout when Lamaze had the final jump down.

The third round started with a blazing fast trip by Skelton, who knew he had to be fast and clear. He and Arko tripped the timers in 48.02 seconds. Everything came down to the final competitor.

Madden was the anchor for the 2004 Athens Olympic team and is the most dependable American rider when it comes to clinch situations. Although this event was not for a team, Madden was still able to pull through in the clutch. Madden and the long-strided Judgement flew around the jump-off and stopped the timers in 46.05 seconds. Madden believed that she made up time in one rollback and that Judgement’s large stride helped him in a jump-off full of long gallops.

Madden made a late decision to ride Judgement in the grand prix. “This morning, when we saw that conditions were similar to yesterday, we decided that Authentic didn’t need to do two days in a row,” Madden explained. “Judgement was fresh,” Madden mentioned. “He’s loved this place in the past, and we always thought that this was a class he might be able to win someday. Here he is! I’m lucky that my horses have been great for me all summer,” she added. “This was the climax.”

Skelton admitted that he was worried about Madden following him. “In that situation--in a two horse jump-off--whatever I do, Beezie can do better. At that point, I have to jump clear. I went as quick as I could. That’s the way it happens,” he said pointedly.

The riders all said that the sunny weather conditions made their decision to show and everyone was happy with how Palacios designed the course. “I thought it was much better today. Leopoldo did a beautiful job and it helped that it wasn’t raining today,” Madden said. Skelton also chimed in, “He forgot about the course designing and put the jumps where they needed to go. He did a great job.”

Palacios proclaimed that he was “more than happy with the results of the class.” He also acknowledged, “Course designers have a huge responsibility for the welfare of the horse and for riders. I do not want