François Lamontagne (St-Eustache) led Juliette Bourbonnière’s Thunderbird VH Scheefkasteel, a 2014 zangersheide mare by Thunder VD Zuuthoeve, to victory with a four seconds lead on their closed contenders during the first Grand Prix of the International Bromont 2026.
Sixteen horse-and-rider combinations tried to beat the course designed by American course designer Brody Robertson, but only five pairs moved on to the jump-off. James Gillam of Acton, Ontario and Pepino V Wichenstein CH, property of AMHG Holdings, clocked out with an impressive 45.540 seconds but a rail down left an opportunity for the remaining challengers. With two horse and rider combination left to go, Adrien Lemieux, of Granby, QC, riding Roger Deslauriers’s Impec Champeix, a 2018 Selle Français gelding by Corrado du Moulin went with precision and secured a podium placing with a clear second round in 49.190 seconds.
Last in the ring, Lamontagne pushed Thunderbird VH Scheefkasteel forward. “We tried to be strategic, but you still have to go fast in case you have a rail,” indicated Lamontagne. “This was quite a long jump-off, it’s hard to know where you are in relation to everyone else so you can’t worry about your time too much.” The strategy paid off, as Lamontagne and Thunderbird VH Scheefkasteel finished a clear course with the best time of 45.290 seconds.
Lamontagne, who has trained Thunderbird since she was four years old, will be campaigning a group of younger horses next week at the International Bromont 2 were courses will be designed by 1976 Olympic silver medalist Michel Vaillancourt. Praising both Brody Robertson’s work this week and Michel Vaillancourt upcoming courses, Lamontagne concluded “We are very lucky to have two very experienced course designers here in Bromont.”
International Bromont Engel & Volkers Grand Prix (Saturday July 25)
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults:Time
1. François Lamontagne, St-Eustache, QC & Thunderbird VH Scheefkasteel 0-0, 45.290
2. Adrien Lemieux, Granby, QC & Impec Champeix 0-0, 49.190
3. James Gillam, Russell, ON & Pepino V Wichenstein CH 0-4, 45.540
4. Cian McDermott. USA & Killer Queen B 0-4, 46.050
5. Katrine Drapeau, Chambly, QC & Freestyle du Shamrock 0-4, 47.780
6. Cian McDermott. USA & Illethe B S B 4, 96.930
Complete results here.
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