Jonathan Holling riding Downtown Harrison is the defending champion of the CCI3* division of the Volvo Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, held June 6 to 9 in Bromont, Quebec, will celebrate its 27th anniversary in 2013.  The Bromont organizing committee is proud to announce the return of Volvo, builder of some of the world’s most reliable, safe and well-designed cars, as title sponsor for the second year.

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event is the only three day event in Canada sanctioned at the three-star level by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and is regarded as one of North America’s most prestigious equestrian competitions.  It is also the only three day event in the world held annually at a former Olympic venue; the Bromont Olympic Horse Park was the site of equestrian events for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, and is currently the forerunner to host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

In 2012, the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event acted as the final observation event for the Canadian and U.S. Olympic Eventing Teams.  As a result, upon request from Canadian and American Team selectors, a CIC3* division was added to the 2012 line-up.  Proving very popular, the CIC3* division will once again be offered in 2013, along with CCI1*, CCI2* and CCI3* divisions.  Junior and Young Rider competitors hoping to represent their nations at the 2013 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, in July will have an opportunity to qualify at Bromont.

Last year’s Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event and Todd Sandler Challenge was won by American Jonathan Holling riding Downtown Harrison, while two-time U.S. Olympic medalist Karen O’Connor riding Mr. Medicott topped the inaugural CIC3* division.  O’Connor went on to become the top placed American at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, finishing ninth individually.  Canada’s highest placed rider, finishing fifth in the 2012 Bromont CIC3* division, was Rebecca Howard on Riddle Master.  Howard and Riddle Master also traveled to London, where they were members of Canada’s 2012 Olympic Three Day Eventing Team, and most recently secured a 12th place finish at the 2013 CCI4* Badminton Horse Trails in England.

The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport with the phases of dressage, cross country and show jumping, held on three consecutive days.

Derek Di Grazia of the United States, the resident course designer at Bromont since 2009, will once again put his skills to the test in creating Bromont’s cross-country tracks in 2013.  Also the course designer at CCI4* Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, the only four-star event held in North America, Di Grazia is considered one of the best in the business, and will put horses and riders to the test at Bromont during Saturday’s challenging cross-country phase.  Canadian cross-country course builder Jay Hambly will once again construct the obstacles.

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event attracts an international field, including World Championship, Olympic and Pan Am Games medalists.  Last year’s event attracted more than 150 horses, and organizers expect to once again be at maximum capacity in 2013.  In addition, Bromont will also host an FEI clinic for officials, technical delegates and course designers, at its 2013 event.

A major draw of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event is its location in the heart of one of eastern Canada’s most spectacular settings, with its beautiful venue and cross-country course.  It has become a ‘destination event’ not only for the top quality equestrian sport, but for the exceptional hospitality on offer in the charming village of Bromont, less than one kilometre from the Bromont Olympic Horse Park.  More than 5,000 spectators can now be accommodated at the Horse Park’s brand new grandstand.

For the comfort of the equine athletes, construction of a second permanent stable will be completed before the 2013 event, and all the competition horses will be stabled under a permanent roof.

The 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event will be included in the PRO Tour Series for the third year.  The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.

The Volvo CCI*** Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada.  The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event will be followed on the weekend of June 15 and 16 by ‘Petit Bromont’, or ‘Little Bromont’, an Equine Canada-sanctioned National competition.  In addition to levels from Starter to Training, a Preliminary division will be offered for the first time in 2013.  Taking place in the same arenas and over the same terrain as the FEI competition the previous week, Little Bromont offers a great experience for up-and-coming horses and riders working toward the international levels.

For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com.  Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca