Rich Fellers wins Esso Challenge World Cup

Rich Fellers and Flexible. By Spruce
Meadows Media Services

America's Rich Fellers jumped to victory at Spruce Meadows yesterday (3 Jukly 2011) in the $65,000 ESSO Challenge World Cup. Rich teamed up with his 15-year-old Irish bred stallion Flexible to post two flawless rounds over Canadian Michel Vaillancourt's courses.

Nine of the 24 starters went to the jump-off after answering all of the challenges on the 510m 16-jumping effort first-round course. In the jump-off, Rich and Flexible produced a clear-round trip nearly two seconds faster than runners up Mario Deslauriers and Urico.

Small but fast
"Flexible was the smallest horse in the field but he’s naturally fast and I love to ride fast. It works out well," said Rich. "That left the competition with their jaws dropping in disbelief at the pace he carried while still jumping clear."

The jump-off entry also included the likes of Ian Millar (CAN), Michael Whitaker (GBR), Beezie Madden (USA) and Kent Farrington (USA), but none was going to catch Fellers at the top of his game.

Feeling good
"My horses feel great. They have had fairly light schedule so far at Spruce Meadows after a tough five weeks in Europe leading up to the Summer Series,” said Rich. “Both Flexible and McGuinness are exactly where I want them leading into the Spruce Meadows North America Tournament."

Earlier in the final day of the Canada One Tournament, Rich was in a 10-horse jump-off with McGinness in the West Canadian Cup. With this 16 -year-old gelding he eventually finished eighth out of 47 starters, with Mclain Ward of the United States taking the win on Oh d'Eole.

The final stage of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series starts on Wednesday, 6 July with the $1million Spruce Meadows "North American".