SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, Sept. 6 /CNW/ -- SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, Sept. 6 /CNW/ - The BMO Nations' Cup title was challenged today by nine top international teams at Spruce Meadows. Team Germany was looking to repeat its victory on the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course, however the Americans proved to be formidable competitors through to the end.
Two rounds of competition decided the winner of the $350,000 BMO Nations' Cup, the world's richest team jumping event. The title was also decided in front of a record crowd for the BMO Nations' Cup - a total of 63,115 fans turned out to cheer on their favourites.
The Americans had the lead with only one team to go, the defending champion Germans. The final German entry was Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst who had been able to sit out the first round thanks to his team's perfect score. Despite having a fresh horse, it did not help the Germans on this day as Pollmann-Schweckhorst finished with 8 faults, leaving them in a three-way tie for second place with Canada and the Netherlands.
Presenting the Americans with their fist championship cheque since 2002 was Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. "We enjoyed an exciting day of sport in the BMO Nations' Cup in front of a record crowd of enthusiastic show jumping fans," said Downe. "I am delighted to present, on behalf of all my colleagues at BMO Financial Group, the winner's cheque to Team U.S."
The Olympic Champions, the Americans have now won two gold medals in as many weeks. "We have a great depth of riders and horses. George has done a fantastic job and our country has fantastic depth in terms of riders," said Lauren Hough of her team Chef d'Equipe, George Morris, after their win.
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BMO Nations' Cup top 6 of 9 teams -
1- USA Chef d'Equipe George Morris
Lauren Hough Quick Study
Todd Minikus Pavarotti
Richard Spooner Cristallo
Rich Fellers Flexible
2- NED Chef d'Equipe Rob Ehrens
Piet Raymakers Van Schijndel's Curtis
Leon Thijssen Olaf
Harrie Smolders Walnut de Muze
Gerco Schroder Eurocommerce Milano
2- CAN Chef d'Equipe Terrance Millar
Jill Henselwood Special Ed
Jonathan Asselin Rayana Chiara
Eric Lamaze Hickstead
Ian Millar In Style
2- GER Chef d'Equipe Ulrich Meyer zu Bexten
Holger Wulschner Claussen
Thomas Muehlbauer Asti Spumante 7
Markus Ehning Plot Bue
Alois Polmann-Schweckhorst Lord Luis
5- GBR Chef d'Equipe Michael Mac
William Funnell Mondriaan
Tim Gredley Omelli
Ben Maher Robin Hood W
Robert Smith Vangelis S
6- SWI Chef d'Equipe Dr. Stephane Montavon
Pius Schwizer Unique X CH
Jane Richard Jalla de Gaverie
Daniel Etter Peu a Peu
Theo Muff Con Spirito R
Tomorrow is the final day of the Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament and
will feature the $1 Million CN International Grand Prix, set to begin at 1:15
pm.
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For a complete tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at
www.sprucemeadows.com.
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