Team Germany, Hans Dieter Dreher, Daniel Deußer, Philipp Weishaupt andChristian Ahlmann, this year’s winner of the BMO Nations’ cup. (Spruce Meadows Media Services)

Calgary, AB - In front of record crowds, the fourth day of the 2012 Spruce Meadows saw both the American and German flag fly above the international ring.

With the sun was shining and 80,961 spectators watching in the stands, 25 horse/rider combinations saddled up for the Suncor Energy Winning Round, spread over 495 meters with 15 jumping obstacles. The top eight riders returned to the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), and in the end veteran Beezie Madden (USA) took home gold aboard Coral Reef Via Volo, “It’s a good win for her,” Madden commented about her 14 year old Belgian Warmblood mare. “She’s been pretty consistent all week, I couldn’t have asked for much more from her today”. Madden is busy preparing for tomorrow’s $1,000,000 CN International Grand Prix, where Madden is one of three riders qualified for a $50,000 bonus, after winning the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup in July.

With 9 nations represented in the $300,000 BMO Nations’ Cup, 35 horse/rider combinations took to the International ring. The Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) course featured 15 jumping obstacles over 560 meters of track. After round one, 2011 champions team France, were forced to withdraw after only 2 of their 3 riders completed the course. After finishing first in the second round with a combined total of 4 faults, team Germany rode to victory for the first time since 2007. Mentored by Chef D’Equipe Sonke Sonksen, Christian Ahlmann, Hans Dieter Dreher, Daniel Deußer and Philipp Weishaupt completed the course with a combined total of 12 faults over two rounds. This win comes as a surprise to Weishaupt, who is at Spruce Meadows for the first time. “This place is incredible” Weishaupt commented after the competition. “You hear about how good it is, but it’s nothing compared to what it feels like to actually be here.”

Suncor Energy Winning Round – Top 10

1-Beezie Madden                     USA                Coral Reef Via Volo
2-Ludo Philippaerts                  BEL                 Denver Vant Goemanshof
3-Jeroen Dubbeldam                NED                BMC Utascha SFN
4-Juan Carlos Garcia                ITA                  Bonzai Van Der Warande
5-Harrie Smolders                    NED                Regina Z
6-Christian Ahlmann                 GER                 Aragon
7-Nicola Philippaerts                BEL                 Diebrich De Kalvarie
8-Brianne Goutal                      USA                Ralvesther
9-Richard Spooner                   USA                Apache
10-Abdullah Al Sharbatly         KSA                Sultan

BMO Nations’ Cup – Top 10

1-Germany
2-Ireland
3-Netherlands
4-Great Britain
5-United States
5-Canada
7-Belgium
8-Switzerland
9-France