Sponsored by Creative Group Production, the 1.50 m Open Class, with its $32,000 grand prize, was the highlight of this day in the second week of the Classique Internationale Blainville. 21 rider-horse teams, among which Québec natives François Lamontagne, Nicolas Bayzelon, James Gillam and Nicole Lapierre, signed up for the challenge. After a breathtaking jump-off, Yann Candele claimed victory, followed by Beth Underhill and Lauren Hunkin in third place.
Designed by Linda Allen of the United States, the highly technical course comprised of 12 obstacles and 15 efforts for a total running distance of 490 meters. With several broken lines and difficult double and triple combinations to negotiate, many riders suffered faults.
Aboard her mount Lapsus du Lavoir, Russian Lioubov Kochekova was the first competitor to achieve a flawless run. Then Isabelle Lapierre put all her savvy to the test to nail a perfect performance, thus declaring a jump-off, an eliminatory round to determine the winner. Olympic equestrian Beth Underhill, along with Canadian Equestrian Team member Yann Candele, Hugh Graham and Lauren Hunkin, then followed suit.
François Lamontagne from St-Eustache and his faithful mount Anton unfortunately garnered 12 penalty points, as did James Gillam. Ontario native Kelley Robinson and Nicolas Bayzelon were eliminated pursuant to a minor fall.
As technically challenging as the first test, the jump-off course comprised of 7 obstacles, including a double combination. Designed with speed in mind, the run allowed a maximum of 48 seconds for execution. First one to the starting line, Lioubov Kochekova’s 47.82 seconds performance is the time to beat. Isabelle Lapierre makes good on her attempt at a faultless run, but takes a 4-point penalty for outrunning the clock at 51.94 seconds. Beth Underhill and Vigo clench top spot in 42.90 seconds. Yann Candele then takes off in a spectacular dash, and clocks out at 41.70 seconds! Lauren Hunkin can do no better, and finishes third.
After dominating the first week of competition, Yann Candele and his 10-year-old Dutch Half-blood gelding, Azzaro Van’t Hagenhof, will take part in the World Cup Qualifier scheduled for this Sunday July 17. « We are aiming to qualify for the World Cup, next April 2012 in the Netherlands » stated Yann Candele, who has been training Azzaro Van’t Hagenhof over the last four years.
The Classique Internationale Blainville continues with the Desjardins Grand-Prix Challenge on Saturday July 16, and a World Cup Qualifier set for July 17. Family-fun activities are also on deck throughout the week-end. Situated north of Montreal, the Blainville Equestrian Park welcomes you from July 13 to 17 at 1025, chemin du Plan Bouchard, Highway 15, Exit 25, 450 621-8899, info@classiqueblainville.com, http://www.classiqueblainville.com/.
Results:
1st Yann Candele / Azzaro Van’t Hagenhof 0-0, 37.99
2nd Beth Underhill / Vigo 0-0, 42.90
3rd Lauren Hunkin / Larry 0146 0-0, 43.04
4th Hugh Graham / Fifth Estate 3e 0-0 44.64
5th Lioubov Kochekova / Lapsus du Lavoir 0-0, 47.82
6th Isabelle Lapierre / Vicky Vale 0-4, 51.94
7th Roberto Teran / Denver 4 points
8th Roberto Teran / Galina 177 4 points
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