Stakes are high at the CP ‘International’
WILL THE DRAMA OF 2015 BE REPEATED?
Is it possible for tens of thousands of people to collectively hold their breath, to the point that only the hooves of Scott Brash’s horse could be heard on course? Yes, especially when there is so much on the line. No one dared to make a rapid move, a sudden noise, or interrupt the silence that filled the International Ring as Great Britain’s Brash, a 2012 Olympic Team gold medallist, cleared one obstacle after another, edging closer to making show jumping history.
Having won the first two legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in Geneva, Switzerland, and Aachen, Germany, Brash was now going for the home run. A victory in the 2015 CP ‘International’ would crown him as the first-ever Rolex Grand Slam champion.
The course, designed by Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios, was as tough as they come. And there were plenty of other veteran riders among the 39 qualified to start, determined to upset his chances. The top 12 returned for the second round, with many spectacular performances. It could have easily turned into a jump off between former CP ‘International’ winner Pieter Devos of Belgium and Brazil’s Pedro Veniss who both rode clear in the first round, each collecting a single time fault in the second round.
But no one was placing any bets because Brash, the world’s No. 1 ranked rider at the time, had yet to go. He came on course as the last rider, and in a cool confident manner piloted Hello Sanctos to victory.
Did the 29-year-old from Peebles, Scotland, think it was possible?
“I did not actually think it could be done,” he said. “This means everything to me. Words can’t describe how I feel.”
For a horse to jump to all three grand titles consecutively is near impossible, Brash added.
“To win in a delicate ring like Geneva, then a big tough course like Aachen, and then a unique venue like Spruce Meadows is just incredible. You could go 20 or 30 years at least and it could probably never be done again.”
That may well be true but it in no way dilutes the drama that awaits show jumping fans around the world on Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. In fact Brash will look to make history again this year by becoming the first rider since Rodrigo Pessoa to win back to back CP ‘International’ titles. In his way will be another monumental course designed by Palacios and arguably the most talented field ever assembled to contest the sport’s most coveted Grand Prix title.
Those that will be in play include Canadians Eric Lamaze and Tiffany Foster, fresh off of strong results at the Olympic Games. But many can make that claim. The CP ‘International’ has long attracted the biggest names with the world’s best horse power to do battle each September in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows.
World No. 1 Christian Ahlmann of Germany has yet to taste CP ‘International’ victory and is hungry to do so. Americans McLain Ward, a former winner, and Kent Farrington are at the top of their games and ready. Also, not to be over looked, are Steve Guerdat of Switzerland and Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt. Guerdat, the 2012 Olympic champion, won the Grand Prix of Geneva late last year and would love to add the CP ‘International’ to his impressive resume. As would the young German star Weishaupt, who earlier this summer posted a courageous win for the ages in Aachen.