John Simpson, President and CEO, Cana Group of Companies presenting the winners’ trophy to Michael Whitaker. (Spruce Meadows Media Services).

Calgary, AB - The sun was shining on the International ring for the Thursday of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament.

Forty one horse/rider combinations walked through the clock tower to compete for the 1.50 meter ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup. With 5 combinations moving into the jump off, Christian Ahlmann (GER) took home first place with a jump off time of 36.79, a full four seconds faster than second place. The course, designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), stretched over 470 meters with 15 jumping obstacles. Ahlmann was very happy with his 11 year old Warmblood gelding Aragon, commenting “He loves it here. The ground was perfect for him, and he jumped great”. Ahlmann hopes Aragon will continue to jump well through the week in preparation for the $1,000,000 CN International on Sunday.

The 1.60 meter CANA Cup got off to a fast start, seeing British show jumping veteran Michael Whitaker (GBR) taking home the first place ribbon. Nine of the 42 horse/rider combinations moved into the jump off after tackling the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) course with 15 jumping obstacles over 490 meters. This is Whitaker’s second year with his 10 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Viking. After a building year in 2011, Whitaker and Viking are looking forward to competing once again at Spruce Meadows. “It’s the atmosphere here. The courses are hard, and everyone expects them to be hard. That way, if you win, you know you’re the best”.

The action continues tomorrow in the International ring at Spruce Meadows. The Mercedes-Benz ‘Evening of the horse’ begins at 5:15pm with the Encana Cup, followed by the ATCO Electric six-bar circuit, then a performance by the Celle Stallions and a fireworks show.

ATCO Structures & Logistics – Top 10

1-Christian Ahlmann                 GER                 Aragon
2-Abdullah AL Sharbatly          KSA                Larkhill Cruiser
3-Olivier Philippaerts                BEL                 Quintender 2
4-Jur Vrieling                            NED                VDL Emmerton
5-Daniel Deußer                       GER                 Lillyfee
6-Beezie Madden                     USA                Simon
7-Eric Lamaze                          CAN                Derly Chin de Muze
8-Robert Whitaker                   GBR                Catwalk IV
9-Shane Breen                         IRL                  Cos I Can
10-Ben Asselin                         CAN                Rush

Cana Cup – Top 10

1-Michael Whitaker                  GBR                Viking
2-Christian Ahlmann                 GER                 Taloubet  Z
3-Jerome Hurel                        FRA                 OHM De Ponthual
4-Shane Breen                         IRL                  Balloon
5-Ian Millar                              CAN                Star Power
6-Andrew Bourns                     IRL                  Roundthorn Madios
7-Tina Fletcher                         GBR                Hello Sailor
8-Olivier Philippaerts                BEL                 Cabrio Van De Heffinck
9-Beezie Madden                     USA                Coral Reef Via Volo
10-Jur Vrieling                          NED                VDL Bubalu