Matt Sampson flies high at the Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’
Wednesday 02 July 2025
Matt Sampson lifted the feature $500,000 AON Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ CSI 5*, presented by Rolex Tournament, with the phenomenal stallion Daniel.
“He’s an amazing horse – amazing just sums him up and I’m so very grateful to ride a horse that tries so hard and gives all his heart,” said Matt. “I’m as happy for the horse to win as I am for myself – we’re a good match and both have a similar mindset.”
Twenty-six athletes set out through the famous Spruce Meadows Clock Tower to challenge Mexican course-designer Anderson Lima’s strong 14-fence, 17-effort 1.60m track, including an open water and treble combination towards the end of the course. Only four advanced to the jump-off, three Irish representatives – who have enjoyed phenomenal success at Spruce Meadows over the past few weeks – pitted against lone Brit Matt.
“It was massive, a really big, difficult course and even with the quality of horse and rider in this class, there was still only four clears – it was one of the toughest Grands Prix I have jumped,” said Matt, who also faced tough opposition – “I was up against the Irish and they have been flying out here.”
Darragh Kenny produced the fastest time, but a pole cost him dear as he came home on four faults with Diaroubet to put him fourth. Nonetheless, Daniel Coyle with Incredible and Jordan Coyle aboard Chaccolino gave Matt a run for his money. But the popular Brit with an infectious smile beat them all, edging ahead on the 17-year-old stallion Daniel (Heartbreaker x Cavalier) by 0.14 sec.
Matt’s win in the International Ring for Great Britain comes 35 years to the day since her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Spruce Meadows on June 29, 1990. Next week, Matt, along with the Coyle brothers, as well as a host of top show jumpers from around the world, will be looking for a victory in the competition that honours Her Majesty, the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the main event of the ‘North American’.
Image: Spruce Meadows Media & Mike Sturk
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