Bromont, QC – After raising the crowd with the Via Rail Double Slalom, the International Bromont presented by CN offered its spectators a 1.45m Grand Prix. Designed by Jean-Paul Le Petit, the 12 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts course foreshadowed a few technical challenges, particularly between the 7th and 8th jumps where a five stride maximum was to be observed, and on the last pass comprising of a vertical line, very large oxer and double combination towards the exit. Twenty-seven rider-horse teams took to the course, among others Canadian Olympic Team members Ian Millar, Mac Cone and Gillian Henselwood, Alberta native Jennifer Serek, Marie Hécart, Beth Underhill, Jay Hayes and Yan Candele. Québec natives Natalie Mathers, Nicolas-Xavier Bélanger, Angela Covert-Lawrence and Mario Deslauriers were also determined to leave their mark. This type of course would offer international equestrians a great opportunity to give their 7 year-old horses some experience, while providing the young riders on the National Tour a chance to measure up to the stars of equestrian sport.
Ontario native Sophia Nihon, a student of Ian Millar, is the first to perform a fault free run. Riding Lucas, Marie Hécart’s execution is also perfect. We would then rely on the 14th competitor, Jennifer Serek with Bottom Line, to ensure the minimum three horse jump-off. Jay Hayes with Leonidas garners two rail faults, while Natalie Mathers withdraws before the end. Nicolas-Xavier Bélanger takes a refusal from his horse Papabili to finish with 6 penalty points. Following Jennifer Serek’s brilliant peformance, Marie Hécart returns with a second horse to a flawless execution. Angela Covert-Lawrence with Utan, Amy Millar, Erynn Ballard, Beth Underhill with her two horses, Yann Candele and Ian Millar announced a breathtaking second run! A fallen rail on the second to last jump keeps Mario Deslauriers out of the race, while Amy Millar draws an infortunate time fault.
Ten teams take to the course for the jump-off. First on the starting line, Sophia Nihon draws four penalty points in a time of 45.02 seconds. Riding Lucas, Marie Hécart does better with 42.38 seconds, but racks up 8 penalty points. Yann Candele’s 42.42 seconds is now the time to beat for riders with a 4-point penalty. But the 6th competitor, Beth Underhill with Cantero Z, will turn the tide, blazing ahead to a faultless run in 44.80 seconds. Angela Covert-Lawrence with Utan improves on that performance with a time of 42.48 seconds while Beth Underhill, returning with her 2nd horse Tjengo, clocks out at 40.69 seconds! Ian Millar can do no better: his fault free 43.26 seconds performance earns him 3rd place. It’s a win for Beth Underhill, with Angela Covert-Lawrence in 2nd place.
The International Bromont presented by CN closes off in style on Sunday with the eagerly awaited $120,000 1.60m CN Grand-Prix. The best are in Bromont! Jump into the action! Family, friends and horse lovers of all ages are welcome in great numbers July 22 to August 2, 2009 at Bromont’s Olympic Horse Park, exit 78 on highway 10, 450 chemin de Gaspé. Information: 450 534-0787, info@internationalbromont.org, www.internationalbromont.org
1.45m Grand Prix
1. Beth Underhill / Tjengo 0 /0 40.69 seconds
2. Angela Covert-Lawrence / Utan 0 / 0 42.48 seconds
3. Ian Millar / Dryden 0 / 0 43.26 seconds
4. Erynn Ballard / Rio’s Rhapsody 0 / 0 43.48 seconds
5. Beth Underhill / Cantero Z 0 / 0 44.80 seconds
6. Jennifer Serek / Bottom Line 0 / 4 41.96 seconds
7. Yann Candele / Azzaro Van’T Hagenhof 0 / 4 42.42 seconds
8. Sophia Nihon / Assini 0 / 4 45.02 seconds
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