The Spruce Meadows Summer Tour has come to a close, but the showjumping competition reached a feverish pitch on July 8, the last day of tour, with the $75,000 Sun Life Financial Reach for the Sun and the $175,000 Chrysler Classic Derby.
Twenty-eight horse rider combinations jumped for a spot into the winners circle during the Sun Life Financial Reach for the Sun competition. The rider to earn that honor was American Carolyn Kelly and her mare Rulanda. Kelly was excited to finish off the season on such a high-note after a rough start. Earlier in the tour Kelly had fallen off one of her younger geldings, suffering a broken nose, stitches and concussion. After the victory Kelly commented, "It's definitely one of my biggest wins; I'm really excited to have such a good finish."
Ireland’s Eddie Macken aboard Tedechine September took the number two spot in the Sun Life Financial Reach for the Sun, and Canada’s Jenna Thompson riding Zeke placed third.
The final event of the tournament was the $175,000 Chrysler Classic Derby. The derby is an event that has become famous among riders as it boasts a challenging course that uses all the obstacles the Spruce Meadows International Ring has to offer.
There have only been 11 clear rounds in the history of the Chrysler Classic Derby and that number didn’t change this year. The closest to jump clear was Canadian Jill Henselwood with her gelding Black Ice. The pair finished with one time fault to take the win. No one came close to her, with the second place rider Kyle King (USA) finishing with four faults on Capone I, and third place going to Mario Deslauriers (CAN) aboard Paradigm.
Henselwood spoke of her exceptional summer after the win, "I've never had better results at Spruce Meadows. These are my best ever."
The Spruce Meadows Season continues in September with the Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament.