Lower entries due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and a bit of wet weather leading up to the competition did nothing to hold back the enthusiasm for this event. The weather held, autumn colours were stunning and competition was friendly between riders who were able to attend from across Ontario and Quebec.
Top spot in the CCI4*-S went to Canadian Olympian, Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, Ontario, on Wabbit. A grey 10-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred, Wabbit is owned by Jim Phillips together with Jessica. This is the first 4* win for the horse.
Jessica remarked about her winning cross-country ride on Wabbit, “That was one of his best weekends ever, from start to finish. I think Bromont is the hardest 4* short track in North America and he just cantered around it like he had been doing it his whole life, he just made it feel so effortless.” About the October event at Bromont, Jessica said, “I was so incredibly thankful that Bromont took the initiative to run and that they have three dates on the calendar which Canada so incredibly needs.”
Another mount that Jessica started out on the 4* cross-country, Bogue Sound, unfortunately had to retire due to a tack issue on course that she could not resolve.
Local favourite Melissa Boutin of Ascot Corner, Quebec, on her own EWSZ Jalando (Dudley) finished in second place in this, their first 4* with a clear cross-country. The horse is a Canadian-bred 11-year-old Zweibrucker gelding.
Speaking after the competition Melissa said, “Thanks so much to Bromont for organizing this show” and went on to say she “couldn’t do any of it without Jessica Phoenix’s amazing coaching.”
Asked about her student, Jessica said, “To see her excel over that course gives you so much hope for the future of Canadian eventing and makes you so proud as a coach. Melissa has worked so incredibly hard to get her horse to that 4* level.”
Not to be outshone, two of Jessica’s other students – Hanna Bundy and Makayla Rydzik – also placed second in the CCI-3*-S and CCI2*-S, respectively.
Top local rider and Canadian Olympian, Colleen Loach of Dunham, Quebec, riding the Hanoverian gelding FE Golden Eye, placed first from start to finish in the CCI3*-S on Saturday. The horse is owned by Colleen along with Peter Barry and Amanda Bernhard. FE Golden Eye was Colleen’s mount at the 2019 Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru.
The red ribbon in the CCI2*-S went to Holly Jacks-Smither on her own Candy King, a 10-year-old British gelding. Originally from British Columbia, Holly is now based in Hillsburgh, Ontario.
The last division to finish for the day, Open Training, was won by nineteen-year-old Saffron Klotz of Ottawa, Ontario on the bay 17hh Irish Sport Horse gelding Ballingowan Clarity (Peanut). Saffron said, “Peanut and I had an amazing day – could not be more proud of this 5-year-old.”
A tentative calendar for 2021 is in the works including the usual dates for the MARS Bromont CCI Three Day Event and Little Bromont in June plus at least one other date at the end of the summer. More information will be posted on the website shortly at https://BromontCCI.com
Complete results here.
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