Britain’s Scott Brash repeats victory in CP International Grand Prix

CALGARY – Make it two in a row for Britain’s Scott Brash.

Brash won the CP International Grand Prix show jumping competition on Sunday at the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament for the second straight year.

Brash and Ursula XII came away as the winners after a jump-off against American McLain Ward and HH Azur, while Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange XII finished third.

Brash also won the CP International in 2015 with Hello Sanctos, along with taking the Grand Slam of show jumping for the first time in history. Brash took home $1,000,000 this year for his win.

“I think, to be fair, there was more pressure last year,” said Brash.

“I do not think I was just expected to win the Grand Prix this year. I think all eyes were on Sanctos last year. He was in great form and everyone was talking about it and the lead up to it. This year has been a lot different, but the pressure of the competition is still difficult. McLain and Azur are a fantastic combination, so I knew it was not over until he went. The pressure was on until the last moment.”

Sunday’s competition included two rounds.

A challenging oxer-oxer-vertical triple combination set next to the in-gate with double liverpools was responsible for many faults in the first round. Only four entries were able to clear the first round course without fault.

The top 12 entries in the first round returned for round two in reverse order of penalties, but the four best entries from round one were able to maintain their positions on top of the leaderboard after the second round.

Brash and Ward each jumped clear in round two to move on to a head-to-head jump-off.

Brash was first to go on the short course and set the challenge with a clear round in 41.19 seconds. Ward followed, but dropped one rail to guarantee a second-place finish in a time of 43.11 seconds.

“If you are going to be second to anybody, being second to Scott is a good choice,” said Ward.

“He is brilliant and has probably been the most on-form rider over the last several years. I am not disappointed. The horse was spectacular. That was the only fence she touched all day. I thought she jumped in great form.”

De Luca just missed out on the jump-off with a single time fault in round two, leaving the rider in third place.

“I had a great week, so I can’t complain,” said de Luca. “When you come to Spruce Meadows, like everyone told me and as I have watched, it should be hard.”

Ursula XII, a 15-year-old Scottish sport horse mare owned by Lady P Harris and Lady P Kirkham, previously showed at Spruce Meadows with Britain’s Tina Fletcher in 2012.

“I know her very well and I was always quite confident that she would be good in this ring, but never had the opportunity to bring her here,” said Brash. “I was just happy to get her here in good form to give us a chance at the Grand Prix, and she sure delivered today.”