After not running in 2020 and 2021, the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event returned to the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Center in Quebec, Canada, in 2022. America's Jennie Saville (née Brannigan) and Twilightslastgleam won the CCI4*-L, as the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding (National Anthem x Royal Child) bred and owned by Nina Gardner moved up from eighth after dressage into the lead after cross-country with the fastest round on wet ground over the tracks designed by Derek di Grazia. Canada's Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge, a bay Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Lelia) owned by Patricia Pearce, finished second, and they are among four from the top-10 in the CCI4*-L in 2022 that return in 2023.
The historic grounds that hosted the equestrian events at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal will welcome top-class eventing back for the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event in 2023, offering a CCI4*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L, and CCI2*-L U25 this year.
The CCI4*-L Field:
- The 94-horse field is made up of 19 entered in the CCI4*-L, 6 in the CCI4*-S, 32 in the CCI3*-L, 27 in the CCI2*-L, and 10 in the CCI2*-L U25. The 19 entries for the CCI4*-L are the same number that entered last year (of which 17 competed and 13 completed).
- There are four countries represented in the CCI4*-L: the United States, Canada, Australia, and Sweden.
- Nine different breeds make up the 19-horse field, led by four Hanoverians and four Irish Sport Horses. Thoroughbreds had a particularly strong influence on the results of last year's CCI4*-L at Bromont when Twilightslastgleam ridden by Saville and Wabbit ridden by Jessica Phoenix launched up the standings with the two fastest times on a wet cross-country course where no one finished inside of the optimum time. The two Thoroughbreds competing in 2023 are Steven Berkowitz' Chilly (Zanjero x Tax Rob) ridden by Lillian Heard Wood and Juliana Hansen's Lovely Assistant (Colonel John x Absolutely Lovely) ridden by Hanna Bundy.
- Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix has four entries in the CCI4*-L in 2023, and three are Trakehners by the same sire. Phoenix rode Humble GS (Ferrari GS x Haiti GS) up to the four-star level and now rides his offspring Freedom GS (out of Friedel GS), Isla GS (out of Iselle), and Watson GS (out of Woodstock GS) in the CCI4*-L at Bromont in 2023. All three are owned by Charlotte Schickedanze. Phoenix also rides Fluorescent Adolescent (Gaudi x Amelia II), a piebald Canadian Sport Horse mare.
- American Olympian Boyd Martin has the most entries across all levels with five—three in the CCI2*-L, one in the CCI3*-L, and one in the CCI4*-S. Like Phoenix, Ariel Grald also has four rides at Bromont, with two in the CCI2*-L and two in the CCI4*-L.
- In addition to 2022 Bromont CCI4*-L runner-ups Bacyrouge and Trainsel, returning to this year's field are fifth-place finishers Forrest Gump 124 (Furst Nymphenburg x Amaterasu) and Grald, sixth-place finishers Dassett Olympus (Lancelot x Cushlamochree) and Wood, and 10-place finishers Dutch Times (Good Times x Alino Queen) and Arielle Aharoni.
- There are six horses entered in their first four-star long: Fluorescent Adolescent ridden by Phoenix, Freedom GS ridden by Phoenix, Isla GS ridden by Phoenix, Chilly ridden by Wood, Lovely Assistant ridden by Bundy, and Diara ridden by Grald.
- Diara, a gray Hanoverian mare (Diacontinus x Lady Revens) owned by Annie Eldridge and ridden by Grald, is the youngest in the CCI4*-L field at 9 years old. Capitol HIM, a bay Holsteiner gelding (Con Air x O-Heraldika) owned by Christa Schmidt and ridden by Hannah Sue Hollberg is the oldest at 16.
- This is the third year of the MARS Bromont Rising U25 scholarship program, administered by the USEA Foundation. Recipients receive $2,500 toward their travel and competition costs and participate in an extensive educational program during the event. More information and a list of this year's recipients can be found here. One of the original recipients in 2019, Aharoni and Dutch Times, return to Bromont to compete in this year's CCI4*-L.
The Facts:
- Wayne Quarles (USA) is the Technical Delegate (TD).
- Serving on the ground jury are Andrew Bennie (NZL), Jane Hamlin (USA), Marina Sciocchetti Campello (ITA), Peter Gray (CAN), Bea di Grazia (USA), and Caroline Barraquer (COL).
- Derek di Grazia (USA) is the cross-country course designer with Jay Hambly (CAN) assisting.
The Competition Schedule
Wednesday, June 7
12:00 noon Competitor Briefing – Desourdy Pavillion
3:00 pm First horse inspection CCI2-L (incl. U25), CCI3-L, (incl U25), CCI4*-L, in numerical order
Thursday, June 8
8:00 am Dressage – Ring 1
8:00 am Dressage – Ring 2
Friday, June 9
8:00 am Dressage – Ring 1
8:00 am Dressage – Ring 2
5:00 pm (approx.) Competitor’s Pre-Cross Country meeting – Desourdy Pavillion
Saturday, June 10
8:00 am (approx.) Cross Country – All divisions
Sunday, June 11
8:00 am Second Horse Inspection CCI2-L (incl. U25), CCI3-L (incl. U25), CCI4-S, CCI4-L, in numerical order
10:00 am (approx.) Show Jumping
- CCI2-L Division, followed by CCI U252-L Division followed by the Awards Presentations (CCI2-L and CCI U252-L)
Awarding of the CCI2*-L Trophy by the Law Family - CCI3-L Division, followed by CCI U253-L Division followed by the Awards Presentation (CCI3-L and CCI U253-L)
Awarding of the CCI3*-L Trophy by Debbie and Skip Eaman - CCI4*-S Division followed by the Awards Presentation
- CCI4-L Division followed by the Awards Presentation Awarding of the CCI4-L Todd Sandler Challenge Trophy
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