Bromont, QC – The much anticipated $125,000 CN Grand Prix crowned two spectacular weeks of competition at the 34th Edition of the International Bromont, which was hosted by the Bromont Olympic Horse Park. The points earned in this 1.60m CSI*** test are tallied for the FEI world standings. FEI recognized course designer, Jean-Paul Le Petit from France, proposed a few sharp challenges to the riders, and a memorable outing for the viewing public. All the elements were there for a spectacular event: wall, river, double and triple combinations, sequences with a precise number of strides, the whole to be executed in a time of 81 seconds. Due to torrential rains, the organization was however forced to modify the course to ensure the riders and horses’ safety. An oxer replaced the river, a few lines were moved and the allowed time was brought up to 90 seconds. From the initial sixteen rider-horse teams registered to compete, Mac Cone and Mario Deslauriers with his horse Urico decided to withdraw.
A fine selection of equestrians took to the course to give it their all: Ian Millar and his children Jonathon and Amy, Yann Candele with his lead horse Pitareusa and his second horse, Game Ready, Canadian champion Kean White as well as yesterday’s 1.45m Grand-Prix winner, Beth Underhill, and up-and-comers Jenna Thompson from Calgary, Angela Covert-Lawrence, Paul Halpern, and of course Mario Deslauriers with Vicomte D, all of them cursing the uncooperative weather.
At the onset, Jenna Thompson draws three rail and one time faults for a total of thirteen penalty points. 6th competitor to tackle the course, Marie Hécart achieves the best performance with 8 penalty points in 85.44 seconds. Riding Pitareusa, Yann Candele then performs a fault free run! Beth Underhill and Amy Millar each draw four penalty points. Marie Hécart and Tempête V/H Lindehof would’ve likely earned a spot in the jump-off if not for a single time fault! Captain Canada Ian Millar with Redefin complete their run with 8 points. Second-to-last competitor to the starting line, would Mario Deslauriers accomplish the great feat? The crowd holds her breath for each jump until the very last, and it’s a flawless run! There would thus be a jump-off between Yann Candele and Mario Deslauriers!
Yann Candele now has the difficult task of going first. Despite less than favourable conditions, he makes a few attempts at shaving seconds off his time by cutting turns. Halfway through the course, he lowers a rail and at the second-to-last jump, 4 points add up to his total of eight points in 51.03 seconds time. The victory lane is wide open for Mario Deslauriers, who treads carefully. He performs a flawless run in 56.71 seconds at a mere cost of two penalty points for overtime, to net a third victory in as many years at the CN Grand-Prix. Deslauriers also won riding Obelix in 2008, and in 2007 with his horse Paradigm.
Thus ends the 34th Edition of the International Bromont presented by CN, which went rather well! The Organizing Committee invites us all for the 35th Anniversary of the Internatinal Bromont, next year!
$125,000 CN Grand Prix
1. Mario Deslauriers / Vicomte 0/2 56.71 seconds
2. Yann Candele / Pitareusa 0 / 8 51.03 seconds
3. Marie Hécart / Tempête V/H Lindehof 1 point
4. Amy Millar / Costa Rica Z 4 points
5. Keean White / Celena Z 4 points
6. Beth Underhill / Top Gun 4 points
7. Marie Hécart / Why Not 8 points
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