In the first leg of the Friendship competition, an international amateur driving tournament hosted by the Italian National Amateur Drivers Association in Italy, the late entry from Canada emerged successful

. The competition was sandwiched in between the gala festivities celebrating the 150th year of Italian independence, marked by a gala party along the majestic grand canal in Venice on Saturday evening.

Until two weeks ago, Canada was without a representative in the prestigious celebration of Italian independence, but Sherwin Edwards emerged to fill the spot requested by the Italian National Amateur Association (FEDERNAT) headed by Cesarean Mele.

Edwards proved that his choice was a good one as he had been recommended to North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) President Joe Faraldo, who also headed to Italy to represent the United States.

At the Ippodromo Sant'Artemio in Treviso, 13 countries sent representatives including Russia, Serbia, Spain, Holland, Canada, USA, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Sweden, the Ukraine, Switzerland and the host Italy. Italy had their best in the game in the form of Mario De Luca, the 2010 Championed de Italia.

In Treviso, they score seven across so there were six horses in the second tier. The speed appeared to be Joe Faraldo's Marine ATC from post five and the Canadian was dead set on tracking the speed horse with his Mount Imbo. When the gate sprung, Faraldo was first to the top, parking the Spaniard with Edwards getting away third. They went that away around the historic five-eighths mile track until 100 meters before the finish when Faraldo's horse started to tire. Blasting along the outside was the Italian champion and the fate of the race looked to be sealed until the crafty Canadian faked a tip to the outside and the Italian looked right as Edwards then split horses and drove to victory between the USA and Italy.

As Edwards crossed the wire he was overcome with emotion and his wife, Manon Lalande, gave him the biggest hug and kiss of his lifetime.

"If it were not for the help of Standardbred Canada I would not have been able to make the trip, and I promise to help create a renaissance for the amateur movement in Canada upon my return," said Edwards.

Sunday is the final leg and Sherwin Edwards drives the two horse, Luz Again, as he looks to turn the doubleheader.

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