$1 Million CP at HITS
Of the 41 competitors only one reigned supreme, on September 6, 2015, Beezie Madden took the top spot at The Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo, at HITS Saugerties, NY. Beezie Madden and Simon, snatched the lead from Denmark’s Nikolaj Hein Ruus aboard Gerardo Pasquel’s Big Red. Ruus was sixth to go, and first to incur no jumping faults, but had two faults on the clock. A new comer to the 5* jumping scene, Ruus was elated when he finished the course. Giving big pats to Big Red and pumping his fist in the air, Ruus held the lead for the next 26 rounds.
The second half of the order read like a who’s who of show jumping royalty, spectators waited for Madden, Kevin Babington, Todd Minikus, Margie Engle, and McLain Ward. Madden handled the pressure with her trademark calm demeanor, piloting the 16 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding, around the challenging
course. The crowd held their breath as Madden entered the first of two combinations, a double oxer with a one stride, without any faults. The second combination, three vertical fences with a liverpool, which managed to cause trouble to the most seasoned of riders, but not Madden. As the pair completed the last fence, clear and in the time allowed, 88.320, the crowd erupted. Madden’s smile could be seen around the ring as she patted Simon and calmly exited.
Mclain Ward and Sagamore Farm’s Rothchild, a crowd favorite, ended the course with four faults, taking the third place position. Beezie Madden would remain unbeatable, and no jump off was required for her to secure the win. Nikolaj Heins Ruus, the only other clear round, took the second place position.
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