“There is a reason why Spruce Meadows is the number one venue in the world, and I witnessed it first hand,” says Jill Henselwood.  “We have been ‘under water’ in Calgary since the first week of competition started, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize everyone at Spruce Meadows for their tireless efforts. Against all odds, the CN Performance World Cup Qualifier went off without a hitch, and the jump-off was great sport with the riders really putting on a show for the fans.” One spectator noted that, though ground crews were busy vacuuming up water from the course for most of the day, they were running out of room for the runoff. “The devil’s dyke (in the International ring) was completely full... The water was completely level with the top, that's how waterlogged everything was.”

Henselwood, from Oxford Mills, ON, has taken the early lead in the Canadian League World Cup standings after placing third in the first event of the season. The $100,000 CN Performance World Cup Qualifier was held during Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament, June 19 in Calgary, AB. As of June 19, Calgary had recorded just over eight and a half inches of rain for the month of June.

Riding Special Ed, her 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Henselwood left all the rails up over the jump-off course but her time, less than one second off the winner’s, placed her third in the $100,000 CN Performance World Cup Qualifier behind Bernardo Alves of Brazil riding Canturo and Nick Skelton of Great Britain riding Russel.  Despite a flood warning in many parts of Calgary, the footing held up and the sun shone while 44 competitors faced the challenging first-round course, with 11 advancing to the jump-off round.

“As I was nearing the end of the jump-off I knew I must be close to the leading time, and I could hear the crowd cheering loudly,” said Henselwood.  “In hind sight, I wish I had done one less stride down the last line, but I’m still thrilled with the result. Special Ed is a great partner and he always gives it his all.”

Not far behind Henselwood was her student and rising star, Kelley Small of Ottawa, ON, who finished the jump-off with one rail down to incur four faults and place eighth with Calibur, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Cimmaron Farms.

The second event in the Canadian World Cup League will take place on Sunday, July 2, during the Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament in Calgary, AB.