The Biogen Maple Ridge World Cup Qualifier open classes kicked off this morning with the Canon 1.30m Speed Class. Our international course builder Bernardo Costa Cabral set what appeared to be a technical track for the 89 competitors, with 4 to 5 walking two steps long and some interesting dog-leg lines. However, for all the riders that picked up a rhythm and flowed, the track rode beautifully.
With few feasible inside options for most combinations, a good canter and economical lines provided the quickest times. That was until Tasmin Maher calmly cantered around on her Rivervale’s Peregrine being the only rider who did all the possible inside turns (effortlessly, might we add) and went 2 seconds into the lead. Tasmin was elated. She tells us that Peri is possibly the most difficult horse she has ever ridden; he is incredibly sensitive, and she can’t pick up too much speed on him, so the course suited him perfectly!
Unfortunately, Tasmin’s classy clear wasn’t quite enough to hold the lead. Neriske, who is always quick against the clock, flew around on her second ride Qualita NPS knocking over a second off their time. Johan “Cash” Lotter aboard Georgina Ratcliffe’s Nova Zonestraal’s Carrara de Paep Z did his best to catch Neriske but had to settle for second place!
Congratulations to all the competitors!
Top 6
1st Neriske Prinsloo Hill – Qualita NPS
2nd Johan Lotter – Nova Zonestraal’s Carrara de Paep Z
3rd Tasmin Maher – Rivervales Peregrine
4th Kelly O’Connor – Tack n Togs Capital Moonlight
5th Ryan Andrews- KP Quarter-Lemon
6th Neriske Prinsloo Hill – GCS Max Van-Tastique NPS