Canadian Jacqueline Steffens Takes First Spruce Meadows Win on Canada Day

Jacqueline Steffens (CAN) & Freaky. Photo by Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

Edited Press Release

Spruce Meadows (July 1, 2022) – Thousands of show jumping fans flocked to the International Ring to watch the Duncan Ross Cup on Canada Day at Spruce Meadows. The 33 entries representing 7 countries took on the track designed by Canadian FEI Course Designer Peter Grant. Athletes needed to successfully complete 12 obstacles (15 efforts) in under the time allowed in order to make it to the jump off round.

Five competitors-representing Canada, the United States and Mexico- passed the first round test to come back for the jump off, including Canadian riders Mario Deslauriers and Jacqueline Steffens. Even though it was her first trip to Spruce Meadows, Steffens took to the International Ring like a veteran. Aboard her 12 year old bay gelding Freaky, the pair laid down the fastest clear round with a jump-off time of 41.27s.

“It was a really special feeling, we’ve been knocking at the door in a couple classes and so to jump double clear and my horse felt amazing – it was really special” – Jacqueline Steffens (CAN) on her first victory at Spruce Meadows.

Armando Hassey (MEX) & Lomax
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley

The Township Planning & Design 1.50M competition started Canada Day at Spruce Meadows on the International Ring. This competition featured 33 horse/rider combinations challenging the first round track set by FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN) and only ten combinations had no faults crossing the finish line to qualify for the jump off.

Mexico’s Armando Hassey was ready for a win in the International Ring. Aboard the 2010 gelding Lomax, Hassey  laid down a clear jump off round in a time of 45.64s putting them at the top of the leaderboard.

Charlise Casas (USA) riding Mustique VZ win the Friends of the Meadows 1.45M
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

Competition on the All Canada Ring began with the Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45M first thing in the morning. Forty-nine entries were listed to compete in the competition hoping to find their wait to the winner’s circle. The 535m track was laid out by Canadian FEI Course Designer Joey Rycroft and required competitors to complete it clear in under a time of 86 seconds. Charlise Casas (USA) riding Mustique VZ was the quickest clear ride in the jump off with a time of 34.03s.

Over 80 horse/rider combinations competed in the following competition, the Friends of the Meadows 1.40M, and fans surrounded the All Canada Ring to cheer them on. Seven duos jumped clear in the first round and proceeded to the jump off. Canadian Susan Horn and Mexican Luis Alejandro Plascencia both had the desire to win and laid down equal times in the jump off of 44.39s to tie for first.


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