The chill in the air at Spruce Meadows today for the BMO Nations Cup wasn’t all caused by the weather. After six nations completed the first round in deluges of rain, the chefs d’equipe unanimously decided their riders would not return to complete the competition causing a heated confrontation between the Federation Equestre Internationale officials, the Spruce Meadows organizing committee and the chefs d’equipe.

After the starting gate went up under the Spruce Meadows clock tower for the second round and no riders would enter the ring, Spruce Meadows co-chairman Ron Southern addressed the thousands of fans who had braved the rain and 30-some degree temperatures.

“All the people that are here today. The chefs feel that to bring their riders in here places them in jeopardy,” said Southern. “I don’t really think that’s the case. I am terribly disappointed and for those of you who have paid money here today, we will refund your money.

“I don’t believe we’ll be going tomorrow,” he added. “And the only thing I can suggest to you is that we’ll put out a press statement later today and provide some announcements. I’ve never been in this position before, so I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m very sorry and it’s not something I have the ability to change. So thank you very much everyone.”

The conditions at Spruce Meadows deteriorated Thursday night, with light rain and drizzle that continued on Friday. Heavy rain Friday night and all day Saturday, before the 2 p.m. class began, saturated the turf.

The course, designed by Leopoldo Palacios, featured 12 elements and 15 efforts. Four horse and rider combinations jumped clean and six had four-fault rounds. There were no refusals, falls and all riders completed the course in the time allowed.

After the first round, Great Britain led the way with 4 faults, followed by the Netherlands with 12. The United States, Canada and Germany were tied with 16 faults, followed by Belgium with 28 faults.

George Morris, chef d’equipe for the U.S. team, was adamant that the conditions were unsafe for the horses and riders to continue. “Top horse people care for their horses. They would not jump their horses in these conditions,” he said. “It’s astounding the powers that be don’t read the FEI rulebook that says the welfare of the horse above all. That means [above] money, that means [above] money, that means [above] television, that means [above] money. That means the horse above all considerations. That is horse sports.”

Canadian Chef d’Equipe Torchy Millar also noted: It was obviously clear that the organizing committee wanted a second round. I’m surprised at the stance they took, quite honestly. Their opinion of what was safe flies in the face of the opinions of 30 of the world’s best riders and coaches.”

At about 5 p.m., Ian Allison, the vice president of media and television services for Spruce Meadows, made an official announcement after the organizing committee met to discuss the day’s events and the prospects for tomorrow.

“At the conclusion of the first round of the BMO Nations Cup, Leopoldo Palacios, the course designer, in cooperation with the ground jury, veterinary commission and the organizing committee, made adjustments because of the conditions to the second round course,” said Allison. “[It] had been planned, at the onset of today’s dramatic weather conditions, to move the standards between rounds. But we also lowered a number of obstacles. There was a significant delay in the commencement of the second round. And I am sad to say there will not be a second round. The 2005 BMO Nations Cup will go into the history books with no winner as no nation completed the two rounds of competition.”

Allison noted that after the course was approved by the ground jury and veterinary commission, it was opened and the nations were invited to go. No nation chose to compete.

“The result of that is the official record. The other aspect of that is that Spruce Meadows will be returning all the prize money. Subsequent to that the organizing committee has scheduled to run the final day of the Masters tournament as scheduled. The Molson Cup has 28 starters, and the CN International that has 43 starters.”

The Spruce Meadows organizing committee also planned to meet with the six chefs d’equipe later tonight to discuss the situation, as Spruce Meadows did not endorse the teams’ decision.

Allison noted that never in the history of Spruce Meadows had an event been canceled due to poor weather. Even during the National tournament in June, which was also held with significant rain accumulation, the show went on. “We have rescheduled. But we have never canceled an event in the International Ring,” said Allison.

“It’s always more difficult to work in trying conditions,” he added. “Ask the 300 volunteers here. Ask the cameraman at the top of the grandstand all day. I know the riders and respect their talents. The chefs d’equipe make the decision and are the managers. However, when the gate was put up and the green light was on we were having a party and no one arrived.”

Bruce Goodin didn’t let the conditions earlier in the day dampen his enthusiasm as he galloped his beautiful gray Telegraph to victory in the $62,448 BP Cup early this afternoon. The class, faults converted to seconds, is always fun to watch because even if a rider has a rail he still has a chance if he puts the pedal to the metal.

Going 23rd of the 28 starters, and during probably the hardest rain of the class, he cut the corners and put the 11-year-old New Zealand Sport Horse in all the right places to edge Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker aboard Laconda 25.

“Obviously, it’s a speed class and you have to go as fast as you can. But you have to judge how fast is too fast so you don’t slip up,” he said.

“When I came up to the ring, Richard Spooner said to try and avoid the middle of the jumps,” he added, advice he followed to direct Telegraph to the firmest take-off spots.

Goodin, who also has an eventing background, said that experience as well as growing up riding up and down hills in New Zealand, certainly helped him feel confident over the many challenges of the course, including a steep, wet bank and the devil’s dyke.