American Richard Spooner captured the CNOOC Nexen Trophy for the fourth straight year and fifth time in his career on Sunday at Spruce Meadows.
Spooner with his new mount, nine-year old Quirado C, defeated 40 other horse/rider combinations, including Canadian Vanessa Mannix in the jump-off competition, formerly the CNOOC Nexen Derby.
"This horse is actually extraordinary" said Spooner. "Some horses don't get me, he gets me."
Highlights of today's <a href="https://twitter.com/CNOOC_Limited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNOOC_Limited</a> Nexen Cup. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SMChampion?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SMChampion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SMNational?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SMNational</a> <a href="https://t.co/nzToB1yOYi">pic.twitter.com/nzToB1yOYi</a>
—@Spruce_MeadowsSpooner won the 2017 CNOOC Nexen Derby for the third time in a row aboard Cristallo, his 19-year-old gelding that has since retired.
Mannix was the first of only six clears in the competition.
The Calgary native was followed by Mexico's Nicolas Pizarro, American and world No. 1 Kent Farrington and finally Spooner, who claimed the victory in a jump off.
Earlier at Spruce Meadows, Rodrigo Lambre of Brazil and his horse Chapilot won the ATCO Classic.
Highlights of today's ATCO Cavalry Charge. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SMChampion?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SMChampion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SMNational?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SMNational</a> <a href="https://t.co/X6sPujObJ4">pic.twitter.com/X6sPujObJ4</a>
—@Spruce_Meadows
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