In front of a record crowd of 76,947 spectators, Jeroen Dubbeldam topped the CN Grand Prix with BMC Van Grunsven Simon.
With so much on the line, course-designer Leopoldo Palacios wanted to ensure a worthy winner, so he put forward a deserving final test.
Of the original entry of 31, the 12 best scorers went on to the second round. Jeroen and his 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding partner finished with just one time fault from the jump-off round. But both the USA's Richard Spooner (Cristallo), and Canadian Eric Lamaze (Hickstead) were still to come with no faults to carry forward.
Richard felt the pressure to finish within the time allowed as he approached the last fence.
"I was concerned with the time allowed," he said. "I knew I was on the edge, I was a bit dishevelled."
That pressure caught him out and he and the 12-year-old gelding toppled the final obstacle.
Last in was Olympic Gold Medalist and 2007 CN International Champion Eric, but things started to go wrong at fence 4A. Eric lost a stirrup and his great stallion refused. The penalty cost him the win and a possible CN$785,000 in prize money, but with composure the pair managed to finish good enough for third place.
"Third in this event is still a very good thing," said Eric.
However, for Jeroen, it was time to celebrate.
"All week I thought the courses here were very big, until today when I realised that this course was even bigger," he said. "I am unbelievably proud of my horse for jumping these fences for me."
A former Olympic and Aachen Grand Prix champion, Dubbledam feels like the triple is now complete with a win in the CN$1 million CN International Grand Prix. He can also credit course-designer Leopoldo Palacios, who designed this and the 2000 Olympic course, over which Dubbledam was also champion.
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