Sharon White riding Don Sheffield leads the CCI2* division following the opening phase of dressage competition at Bromont. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – The 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, opened on Thursday, June 6, at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec, with the first of two days of dressage competition. The CCI2*, one of the four divisions running at Bromont sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), is the first to have completed the opening phase of dressage.

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 taking place over three consecutive days.

Leading the CCI2* division after dressage is Sharon White of the United States riding Don Sheffield. White, of Summit Point, West Virginia, bested a starting field of 23 entries with a score of 49.8 penalties from the three-member panel of FEI judges. White’s was the only score under 50 in the division, which put her into first place ahead of Canada’s Jordan McDonald with 50.2 penalties. McDonald of Oakville, ON, is in second place with Prince Mayo, an eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

“My horse is strong in the dressage,” said White of Don Sheffield, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding bred and owned by Wiley Grosvenor of Copper Fox Farm. “This is his first season at Intermediate level and Bromont is his first two star.”

White is looking forward to Saturday’s cross-country phase, where she hopes to maintain her lead. “I think the course and terrain here are amazing, and how it goes on Saturday will tell me a lot about my horse. As long as I don’t make it more complicated than it is, I think the course looks amazing. Bromont is always so beautiful.”

Bromont’s CCI1* division saw half of its 46 entries compete in the dressage phase on Thursday. Leading the division at the mid-way point is American Jennifer Bazan, who rode Allegretta to a score of 44.3 penalties.

In addition to the second half of the CCI1* dressage, Friday’s competition will include the dressage phase for the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions. Hoping to defend his 2012 title in the CCI3* is Jonathan Holling of Ocala, FL. The three star divisions have attracted a strong Canadian contingent, including the reigning Pan American Games Eventing individual gold medalist, Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON. Phoenix will compete in the CIC3* with her Pan Am Games mount, Pavarotti. Among the Canadians competing on Friday are Selena O’Hanlon of Kingston, ON, and Kyle Carter, a native of Calgary, AB, now residing in Florida, both of whom were members of Canada’s silver medalist team at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2013, Bromont is widely considered one of North America’s most important three day events. It is the only competition of its kind in Canada, sanctioned at the three-star level by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Bromont is unique not only as a competition, but as a venue, located in some of eastern Canada’s most stunning countryside.

Derek Di Grazia of the United States, Bromont’s resident course designer since 2009, has again designed the tracks for Saturday’s exciting cross-country phase, the spectator highlight of Three Day Eventing. Di Grazia, an FEI 4* course designer, is assisted by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Volvo is the title sponsor of the Bromont Three Day Event for the second year. Bromont has also been included for a third year in the PRO Tour Series. 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 CCI3* 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.

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