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Lower entries due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and a bit of wet weather leading up to the Bromont CCI-S did nothing to hold back the enthusiasm for this competition. The weather held, autumn colors were stunning, and the competition was friendly between riders who were able to attend from across Ontario and Quebec.
The top spot in the CCI4*-S went to Canadian Olympian, Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, Ontario on Wabbit. The grey 10-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred, Wabbit is owned by Jim Phillips together with Phoenix. This is the first CCI4* win for the horse.
When asked about her winning cross-country ride on Wabbit, Phoenix said, “That was one of his best weekends ever from start to finish,” and “I think Bromont is the hardest four-star 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”. 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 CCI4* cross-country, Bogue Sound unfortunately had to retire due to a tack issue on course that she could not resolve.
Local favorite, Melissa Boutin of Ascot Corner, Quebec on her own EWSZ Jalando (Dudley) finished in second place in this, their first CCI4* with a clear cross-country. The horse is a Canadian bred 11-year-old Zweibrucker gelding.
Speaking after the competition Boutin said, “Thanks so much to Bromont for organizing this show,” and went on to say she, “couldn’t do any of it without Jessica Phoenix’s amazing coaching”.
Asked about her student, Phoenix said, “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. Melissa has worked so incredibly hard to get her horse to the four-star level“.
Not to be outshone two of Phoenix's other students, Hanna Bundy and Makayla Rydzik also placed second in the CCI-3*-S and CCI2*-S respectively.
Top local rider and Canadian Olympian, Colleen Loach of Dunham, Quebec, riding the Hanoverian gelding, FE Golden Eye placed first from start to finish in the CCI3*-S on Saturday. The horse is owned by Loach along with Peter Barry and Amanda Bernhard. FE Golden Eye was Loach's mount at the last Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru.
The red ribbon in the CCI2*-S went to Holly Jacks-Smither on her own Candy King, a 10-year-old British-bred gelding. Originally from British Columbia, Holly is based in Hillsburgh, Ontario.
The last division to finish for the day, Open Training was won by 19-year-old Saffron Klotz of Ottawa, Ontario on the bay 17hh. Irish Sport Horse gelding, Ballingowan Clarity (Peanut).
About their win in the Open Training Klotz said, “Peanut and I had an amazing day. I could not be more proud of this 5-year-old.”
A tentative calendar for 2021 is in the works including the usual dates for the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event and Little Bromont in June plus at least one other date at the end of the summer. More information will be posted on the website shortly at https://BromontCCI.com
Three decades of eventing have made Bromont a destination for riders, owners, and families. A place where everyone can enjoy a friendly weekend of competition and the charming rural eastern townships of Quebec.
For more information about this and other Bromont events, visit BromontCCI.com or contact us at secretary@BromontCCI.com.
The Bromont CCI-S Horse Trials is made possible in part through a contribution from Sport Canada. The Bromont organizing committee also wishes to thank the Government of Quebec, and the City of Bromont for their support.
