Stephanie Bourassa capped off a week of wild weather to win the $45,000 Kubota Grand Prix, presented by Topline Trailers & Equipment Sales, on Sunday, July 5, during the RBC Ottawa Summer Tournament I at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.
Despite having to cancel competition on Canada Day due to intense heat and epic rain, the management team at Wesley Clover Parks were well-prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature had in store. With horse welfare as the top priority, the sold-out stabling area was soon restored, and the legendary grass grand prix field was in top condition when competition resumed.
For Sunday’s $45,000 Kubota Grand Prix, course designer Steffen Bühling set a fair track that produced three clear rounds. Bourassa of Laval, QC, had placed third in this class last year and was looking to improve on that finish, despite going up against two seasoned professionals, Paul Halpern and Jay Hayes. As the first one back for the jump-off, Bourassa executed her plan flawlessly, leaving all the rails in place and setting the time to beat at 38.31 seconds riding Guss de Kergane.
Paul Halpern of Saint Anne des Plaines, QC, is a frequent competitor at Wesley Clover Parks show jumping tournaments and gave it his best effort riding Jerlot W, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Quasimodo vd Molendreef x Gelha’s VDL Emilion) owned by Marianne Grothe. When a rail came down at the second fence, Halpern eased up on the speed, crossing the timers in 46.48 seconds to eventually place third.
It was all up to two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes of Mono, ON. With a lifetime of experience in the saddle, the 69-year-old athlete set out to win and while his time of 36.79 seconds was the fastest of the day, a dropped rail left him second riding Hope VA, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cornet Obolensky x Casall ASK) owned by 1994 Holdings.
“I went first against two good riders and wanted to go clear and I did,” said Bourassa. “I was happy with my ride. I know Paul and Jay are very fast riders, so I hoped I was fast enough. In the end, I was the only double-clear. I stuck to my plan and it worked.”
Bourassa has been partnered with Guss de Kergane, her 10-year-old Selle Français gelding (Berdenn de Kergane x Ok du Rozel), for the past two years.
“We know each other so well,” she said. “I trust him, and he trusts me. I think it and he knows what I’m thinking. He’s great, and he loves the grass. Every time I’ve jumped on this field, he has been amazing. I’m very happy.”
Bourassa, who lives two hours away by car, has competed at Wesley Clover Parks throughout her career and had nothing but praise for the facility and its management.
“The rain was quite impressive; I’ve never seen that much rain in a single day,” said Bourassa of the heavy storms that forced the cancellation of Canada Day celebrations at nearby Parliament Hill. “It was crazy weather, but they fixed the venue in no time. The grass field is perfect; it looks like a golf course. That’s a very important thing to mention. We have almost no grass fields left in Canada and this one is amazing. The organization is great and everyone is very welcoming. There’s lots of fun things happening for the spectators. These are the types of events we need to keep growing the sport.”
Bourassa has been training with John Kerr since she was nine years old and is now a licensed coach at his Everwood Stables in Mirabel, QC. The Everwood team will give the competition horses a few days off and return for week two of the RBC Ottawa Summer Tournaments, running July 8 to 12. Having already scored one grand prix victory, Bourassa will be among the favourites to win the $45,000 Mark Motors Grand Prix on Saturday, July 11, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
Following the RBC Ottawa Summer Tournaments I and II, international show jumping competition returns to Wesley Clover Parks from August 12-16 with the RBC Ottawa International. Sanctioned by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the RBC Ottawa International will attract some of the highest-ranking show jumping athletes in the world to compete in the CSI4* and CSI2* divisions, highlighted by the US $185,000 RBC Grand Prix CSI4* on Saturday, August 16.
Adding to the excitement of the Ottawa International, the fifth annual Spurs & Sparkles Gala, presented by RBC Royal Bank, will be held on Wednesday evening, August 12. Benefitting the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, Spurs & Sparkles offers one-of-a-kind sport and entertainment, incredible prizes, and local craft beverages paired with delectable food from the city’s best restaurants and vendors. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.spursandsparkles.com.
For more information on the RBC Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, visit www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com.
$45,000 Kubota Grand Prix, presented by Topline Trailers & Equipment Sales
Rider / Hometown / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Stephanie Bourassa / Laval, QC / Guss de Kergane / 0:0 / 38.31
2. Jay Hayes / Mono, ON / Hope VA / 0:4 / 36.79
3. Paul Halpern / Saint Anne des Plaines, QC / Jerlot W / 0:4 / 46.48
4. François Lamontagne / Saint-Eustache, QC / Coulio HDS / 4
5. Alex Mitchell / Mallorytown, ON / Casallco Aurora / 4
Full results here.
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