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Spruce Meadows victory ‘that much more special’ for Calgary’s Jim Ifko

Spruce Meadows victory ‘that much more special’ for Calgary’s Jim Ifko

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There’s winning and then there’s winning on your home turf.

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Jim Ifko couldn’t ask for a better scenario.

The 53-year-old Calgarian, teamed with his longtime partner, Un Diamant Des Forets, eclipsed the fastest time posted more than 30 rides earlier, winning the Jayman BUILT Cup on the opening day of the Spruce Meadows North American show jumping tournament.

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“To walk into the ring and know, one, that you have a good chance is a good feeling and, second, when you know you have a good plan that’s great and it all comes together, you can’t beat that feeling,” described Ifko. “Other than when it happens at Spruce Meadows, it’s just that much more special. It’s not only Spruce Meadows but being able to do it in front of a hometown crowd, that’s an amazing feeling as well.”

Ifko and his 14-year-old stallion made it round the metre-50 course in a time of 66.37. The previous fastest was Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Hellcat in 69.13. Third place was taken by another Irishman, Jordan Coyle with Picador, in 69.69.

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“Having a horse that likes to go fast and he always has so much energy on the first day, it’s inevitable that we’re going to put in a fast round,” explained Ifko. “I always hope that we end up leaving all the jumps up. But typically on Day 1 it’s going to be a fast day. I just stuck to my plan and I have to say everything worked out exactly how I would have wished it. It’s an incredible feeling and it always makes for a great win.”

Ifko knows Un Diamant Des Forets, who goes by the nickname Monty, extremely well, yet still marvels at the horse.

“I can’t say that I’m surprised, but what I am surprised by is each time he goes in the ring, he seems to feel better and better,” explained Ifko. “These last few weeks, he’s risen to another level again of technique and ability. It’s an amazing feeling. So just when you think you’ve felt everything there is to feel, it’s amazing how all of a sudden there’s more there.

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“It’s his incredible heart and desire for competition,” he continued. “To have a horse that wants to go out there and be competitive and wants to do it as badly as you is certainly the greatest feeling. It almost trumps a horse that you know can jump the big jumps but that lacks the desire. He puts 110 percent in every time, which is pretty incredible for a horse.”

Jim Ifko rides Un Diamant des Forets to victory at Spruce Meadows on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
Jim Ifko rides Un Diamant des Forets to victory at Spruce Meadows on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Photo by Mike Sturk /Spruce Meadows

When he isn’t competing, Ifko manages training and oversees the breeding stables at Eventyre Farms in DeWinton, which was founded by fellow rider Rachel Cornacchia.

In the second class in the International Ring on Thursday, Mexico’s Nicolas Pizarro beat out seven other competitors in the jump-off to capture the $37,500 Pepsi Challenge aboard Carquilot.

Pizarro and his mount, first off in the second round, breezed through in a clear time of 42.25. The closest challenge was put in by Canada’s Ali Ramsay and Lutz, with a clocking of 42.39. Yet another Canadian was third, Jacqueline Steffens along with Freaky (42.58).

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The top five finishers qualify for the $500,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup grand prix on Saturday.

For Pizarro, it was a two-fold success: first, because it was his first victory in the International Ring in many, many appearances; second, because it was a return to glory for Carquilot, who was lame for nearly three years.

“It was amazing and very special for me,” said Pizarro, 44, who just returned to the Meadows from competing at Aachen, “and with a very special horse. His first show back with me was during the National (in June) and I was fifth (in the grand prix). I‘ve always wanted to jump the Queen’s Cup with him. So I took a guess and I think he’s more than ready.

“I have a very special relationship with this horse. I developed him to the biggest level. He jumped here his first metre-60 class when he was nine and then he had an injury. The injury was difficult to get him back in sport.”

Pizarro sent the horse to a clinic in Europe with his vet and for six months they worked on getting him back.

“We never lost the faith but we were starting to get on the edge, thinking we were forcing things,” he admitted. “This is only my fourth class with him. The horse feels amazing. He’s 100 percent.”

The North American continues on Friday.

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