SCOTT BRASH STRICTLY CAME SHOWJUMPING TO WIN THE CPKC INTERNATIONAL PRESENTED BY ROLEX AT THE SPRUCE MEADOWS MASTERS
A very challenging course designed by the legendary Leopoldo Palacios loomed large as 40 horse and rider combinations prepared to face the first round at the CPKC International presented by Rolex Grand Prix. Palacios watched intently from the side-lines knowing he would be tweaking the second-round course based on their performance.
"I am waiting to see the outcome so I can make the second round even more technical," he told commentator, Jessica Kurten.
Just 12 starters cleared the first round with the second proving to be more demanding than they had imagined. It was a true test of skill, with many riders beginning to have jumps unravel on them with double and triple combination lines being particularly difficult, and a tricky bicycle fence just before the final jump turned out to be an additional burden.
As the dust settled only two riders had managed to keep their fault count to a minimum: Scott Brash on Hello Jefferson and Kyle King on Kayenne Z, each with just four faults. They were headed for a jump-off to determine the winner, while Steve Guerdat on Venard De Cerisy, secured a third-place finish with five faults.
In the jump-off, Brash on Hello Jefferson delivered a flawless clear round.
King gave it a valiant effort, but a single fence down sealed the win for Brash.
Brash banks 1,213,245 USD
Scott Brash riding Hello Sanctos won this event in 2015 and riding Ursula, won it in 2016
--ENDS--
Full results here
SPRUCE MEADOWS PRESS RELEASE:
Britain’s Scott Brash Celebrates the 10-Year Anniversary of his Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Victory by Winning $5M CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex
Great Britain dominates the winner’s circle at the 2025 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, with well wishes from the Duchess of Edinburgh
Scott Brash (GBR) aboard Hello Jefferson made history once again at Spruce Meadows today, securing victory in the 2025 $5M CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, the top-single-event purse in Canada this year.
Brash, who was also celebrating the ten-year anniversary of his ground-breaking 2015 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping win, takes one-third of the total prize pot.
The victory came after some well wishes from Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh, who, before departing Spruce Meadows, praised the efforts of her nation’s athletes, with show jumpers from Great Britain taking the top spots in all of this weekend’s headline competitions.
“My fondest wish today is that a British rider wins again,” she said before leaving this afternoon.
The tracks for the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex were designed by renowned FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). The first-round course featured 13 obstacles (17 jumping efforts) and included not one, but TWO open water elements. Athletes had to clear all the efforts and cross the finish line in a time allowed of 80s.
Those who finished in the top twelve of the first round returned for a second round in reverse order of merit.
The second round course featured another 12 obstacles (15 efforts) and while no clear rounds were produced, a jump off was required between Scott Brash (GBR) and Kyle King (USA) who both finished on a total score of four faults after two rounds.
Brash was first and posted a clear, quick round in the jump off with a time of 46.97s putting the pressure on King. King had the time, but an unfortunate rail at the Canada Plank fence placed him in second.
“Me winning ten years ago, it was just. Yeah, incredible. You can’t really write it.
“And, the venue seems to get better every year. And, what a fantastic place to be able to showcase the top end of the sport.” - Scott Brash (GBR) reminiscing about his Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping victory 10 years ago and now winning again on the 50th Anniversary of Spruce Meadows.
“It was a probably 13, 14, 15 years ago. And, I complained in the press conference, complain about Leopoldo and what he was doing and that it was too tough, and you had to change something, and the show had to change something.
“And thank God, Leopoldo didn't listen to me. Because the truth is, you know, as, athlete or as people, sometimes we don't like to be challenged. And, we like, comfort zone. And this is not what we have here. And I would say that thanks to the team and thanks to Spruce (Meadows), I became a better rider.” - Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Leopoldo Palacios’ (VEN) style of course designing.
As the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, Brash will have the opportunity to continue his journey at CHI Geneva this December. SM
Photo by Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk