Bromont, Quebec – Oct. 6
Lower entries due to COVID-19 restrictions and a bit of wet weather leading up to competition did nothing to hold back the enthusiasm for Bromont’s October 3 event. The weather held, autumn colours were stunning and competition was friendly between riders who were able to attend from across Ontario and Quebec.
Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit topped the CCI4*-S. Cealy Tetley Photography Photos
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 Phoenix. This is the first 4* win for the horse.
“That was one of his best weekends ever, from start to finish,” said Phoenix. “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.”
Melissa Boutin and EWSZ Jalando.
When asked about the October event at Bromont, Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 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.
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“Thanks so much to Bromont for organizing this show” she said. “I couldn’t do any of it without Jessica Phoenix’s amazing coaching.”
Phoenix was thrilled to watch Boutin have a great weekend. “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,” she said. “Melissa has worked so incredibly hard to get her horse to that 4* level.”
Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye won the CCI3*-S.
Top local rider and Canadian Olympian Colleen Loach of Dunham, Quebec, riding the Hanoverian gelding FE Golden Eye led from start to finish in the CCI3*-S. The horse is owned by Loach along with Peter Barry and Amanda Bernhard. FE Golden Eye was Loach’s mount at the 2019 Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru.
Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King won the CCI2*-S.
The win in the CCI2*-S went to Holly Jacks-Smither on her own Candy King, a 10-year-old British breed gelding. Originally from British Columbia, Jacks-Smither is based in Hillsburgh, Ontario.
The last division to finish for the day, the open training was won by 19-year-old Saffron Klotz of Ottawa, Ontario, on the Irish Sport Horse gelding Ballingowan Clarity.
Saffron Klotz and Ballingowan Clarity were the open training winners.
