Tag Archives: Bromont Three Day Event

Coleman and Dutton Take Top Honours at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly won the Bromont CCI3*, the Todd Sandler Challenge. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – William Coleman III and Phillip Dutton both maintained their leads in the final show jumping phase to win the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions respectively at the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, held June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

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. While the cross-country is considered the most thrilling phase, the show jumping at Bromont held plenty of excitement, as scores were very close among the top contenders in all four International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions.

William Coleman III of the United States became the winner of the CCI3* division and the Todd Sandler Challenge. Riding Obos O’Reilly, owned by Four-Star Eventing Group Syndicate, Coleman posted one of only two clear show jumping rounds in the CCI3* division. The challenging show jumping course was designed by Mauricio Garcia of Puerto Rico, who was assisted by Canada’s Jean Pierre Ayotte.

“I do love this event,” said Coleman, who was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympics. “I like the way it’s run and the people who run it. I always have a good time here. Some people have events where they tend to do well, and Bromont is one for me.”

Finishing second in the CCI3* was Canadian Olympian Selena O’Hanlon of Kingston, ON, who piloted Foxwood High to the only other clear round in the division, rising three spots from fifth place following Saturday’s cross-country phase. O’Hanlon also rode two other horses in the CCI3*, both of which finished in the placings. With Bellaney Rock she was fourth, while A First Romance placed 12th.

“This was the first CCI3* for all three of my horses,” said O’Hanlon. “I am thrilled with how all of them went this week, and I’m happy to be taking them home happy and sound. I’m looking forward to the future with all three of them.”

Phillip Dutton (left) riding Ben and William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly celebrate their respective victories in the CIC3* and CCI3* divisions
Phillip Dutton (left) riding Ben and William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly celebrate their respective victories in the CIC3* and CCI3* divisions

In the CIC3* division, Phillip Dutton maintained the lead he established after cross-country with Team Rebecca’s Ben. In the CIC3* division, competitors rode a shortened cross-country course compared to the CCI3*, but the final show jumping phase was over the same course as the CCI3*. Dutton had one fence down in the show jumping, but with a two rail lead, he still comfortably finished first with 72.1 penalties.

“I am overall pleased with Ben; he’s a very talented horse,” said Dutton, a two-time Olympic Team gold medalist for his native Australia who now competes for the U.S. “Ben’s work is getting better and higher quality.

Dutton, a frequent competitor at Bromont, was once again impressed with the calibre of competition.

“Bromont and Fair Hill CCI3* are the two hardest competitions of this level in North America in terms of terrain and course design,” he said in reference to the annual events held in Quebec and Maryland.

Moving up to second place with one of only two clear show jumping rounds in the CIC3* division was Canada’s Jessica Phoenix on Pavarotti, the horse with which she won individual gold and team silver at the 2011 Pan American Games.

“Pavarotti was awesome all weekend long, and he was so rideable on cross-country,” said Phoenix, who was the highest placed Canadian at the 2012 London Olympics. “He couldn’t have jumped any better.”

In the CCI2* division, Erin Sylvester of the United States managed to maintain her lead, despite a less than perfect show jumping round riding Mettraise. Her eight fault round and final score of 70.4 penalties stood up against the field of 14, after only four riders went clear in the show jumping.

“Overall I was really happy with my horse today; she got excited in the ring but she still tried really hard,” said Sylvester. “This is a big improvement over where she was even a few months ago.”

American Buck Davidson moved up five places in the CCI2* show jumping phase, vaulting from seventh after cross-country to second place after posting one of the division’s few clear rounds with Santa’s Keeper. Davidson was also third with Knight Lion.

In the CCI1* division, Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, was the only Canadian winner at the 2013 Volvo Bromont Three Day Event. It wasn’t an easy victory for Roberts, who went into the show jumping with Yarrow only 4.8 penalties ahead of Erin Sylvester on Paddy the Caddy, who had added a single time penalty to their score in the show jumping. That one time penalty turned out to be just enough to keep Roberts in the top spot. After taking one rail and adding four faults to his score, Roberts finished just 0.8 points ahead of Sylvester, with 49.7 penalties.

“I thought the course today was really well designed. It was challenging for the level,” said Roberts, who was excited to have had such a major success with Yarrow, a six-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding sired by Yavari and bred by his parents, Canadian Olympians Ian Roberts and Kelly Plitz. “I’m really excited about Yarrow. He’s also a part of our family.”

The success of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event relies on the support of many sponsors and volunteers each year. Volvo returned as title sponsor for the second year, and Bromont was included for the third time 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.

“We are delighted with Volvo’s involvement again this year,” said Sue Ockendon, Event Director of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event. “We are also grateful for the sponsorship we have received from SSG Gloves, and from Keith and Debbi Eaman. We greatly appreciate the support from all of our sponsors.”

While the weather didn’t cooperate for much of the weekend, Ockendon says it’s a tribute to the ongoing improvements to the footing and drainage at Bromont, and to the efforts of the cross-country jump crew that the event was a success in spite of the rain.

“Jay Hambly and his crew worked very hard to make it possible for the horses to run at every fence,” said Ockendon of Bromont’s resident course builder and his team. “They put gravel down at every fence throughout the day on Saturday. That’s what helped the footing stay solid.”

The cross-country courses at Bromont were designed by Derek Di Grazia of the United States. Riders agreed that Di Grazia, the resident course designer at Bromont since 2009, created tracks of world class quality at the 2013 event.

“Derek is arguably one of the best designers in the world,” said Dutton. “What you find with his courses is consistency, and his courses are bigger than what you see in most of North America. You can have confidence in the lines that the distances are going to work.”

The 2013 Bromont Three Day Event was host to an FEI Course for officials, technical delegates, stewards and course designers. The course drew people from around the world to Bromont, which is in the final stages of bidding for the right to host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

“The FEI Course was very good,” said Ockendon. “It gave people from all around the world the opportunity to come to Bromont and see how it works.”

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

Coleman and Dutton Lead after Cross-Country at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly leads the CCI3* division following cross-country at Bromont. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – William Coleman III and Phillip Dutton lead the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions, respectively, following the cross-country phase of the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, running June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

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. The cross-country phase is the most thrilling of the three, and weather often plays a role, as it did on a wet cross-country day in Bromont. Intermittent rain over the past two days resulted in challenging conditions for competitors in all four International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions.

In the CCI3*, William Coleman III of the United States improved on his second place position after the opening phase of dressage to take over the lead following the cross-country. Coleman, of Gordonsville, VA, was a member of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympic Games. He piloted the relatively inexperienced Obos O’Reilly through a clear cross-country jumping round, adding eight time penalties to his dressage score for a cumulative score of 58.2 going into Sunday’s final show jumping phase.

“My horse was a little bit green all the way around, but he’s game and gutsy,” said Coleman of his cross-country experience. “His attitude and bravado were such that I did feel he would go around, and I thought he handled it all really well.”

Currently in second place in the CCI3* division is Sarah Cousins of the United States on Tsunami. Cousins was the only competitor in the division to jump clear cross-country and within the optimum time of ten minutes. She adds no penalties to her dressage score of 64.2 going into the final show jumping phase. Out of a starting field of 22 horses and riders, all but four completed the cross-country, 11 of them with no jumping penalties, including all of the riders currently placed in the top eight. Canada’s Kyle Carter, who has had an incredible comeback season with his 2008 Olympic and 2010 World Equestrian Games partner Madison Park, is in third place, hot on the heels of Cousins with 64.4 penalties.

“I definitely felt it was one of the tougher three star courses I’ve seen in the last couple of years,” said Carter, a native of Calgary, AB. “I thought it rode better than it walked, which is a testament to the course designer.”

All of the courses at Bromont were designed by resident course designer, Derek Di Grazia of the United States, who was assisted by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after cross-country
Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after cross-country

The CIC3* is at the same level of difficulty as the CCI3*, but a shorter course and fewer jumping efforts make it less taxing on the competitors. American Phillip Dutton of West Grove, PA, managed to hang onto the lead he established in the dressage phase of the CIC3* with Team Rebecca’s Ben, in spite of incurring 21.2 time penalties for a total score of 68.1 after cross-country. Dutton, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist for his native Australia, now competes for the U.S.

“It was a quite challenging course as we knew it would be, and the weather added a little bit to that,” said Dutton. “Overall, the footing at the jumps was very good. Ben actually galloped pretty well, and that part I was pleased with. He’s not bred to go really fast, but he doesn’t get strong getting to the jumps, so I could save time on the approach.”

Chasing Dutton into the show jumping phase is fellow American Lauren Kieffer, who is in second place after a clear cross-country round with R. F. Cosima, owned by Jacqueline Mars. Kieffer’s two-day score of 71.5 leaves less than a single rail between herself and Dutton. Just five of the nine entries in the CIC3* completed the cross-country course. All five had clear rounds, though none was within the optimum time of six minutes and 45 seconds.

In the CCI2* division, Erin Sylvester of the United States has taken over first place with Mettraise after a clear round, adding just 2.4 time penalties for a two-day score of 62.4 penalties. Sylvester is also in second place in the CCI1* division with Paddy the Caddy. Behind Sylvester in second place is fellow American Buck Davidson, who had the only time penalty-free round of the day in the CCI2* riding Knight Lion. Davidson is just one show jumping rail behind Sylvester with 66.4 penalties.

Erin Sylvester riding Mettraise leads the CCI2* division following cross-country
Erin Sylvester riding Mettraise leads the CCI2* division following cross-country

“I always feel cautiously good going into cross-country with this mare because she tries very hard,” said Sylvester of Mettraise. “It didn’t end up raining all that hard, but we went at the end of the day and the going had got a bit deep.”

In the CCI1* division, Canadian Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, moved up one placing from his second placed dressage standing after he and his homebred Yarrow enjoyed a clear round with no time penalties to finish the cross-country on their dressage score of 45.7 penalties. Roberts maintains only the narrowest of leads over Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy, who also jumped fault-free to remain on their dressage score of 49.1 penalties. Roberts, a member of Canada’s silver medalist eventing team at the 2007 Pan American Games, is also in sixth place in the CCI1* division with Orion 49.

“Yarrow is just six and this is his second one-star event,” said Roberts, 24. “He felt great right from the start. Being second after dressage, I went out there knowing what I had to do. There were some green moments, but Yarrow answered me really well. I’m very pleased with him. Both of my boys were great today.”

Despite the damp weather, spectators filled the stands around the water jump on cross-country, the complex that always draws the biggest crowd, and often the most dramatic action. Bromont, the only FEI three star sanctioned three day event in Canada, draws North America’s top eventers, who know they can count on high calibre competition in the beautiful setting of Quebec’s Eastern Townships.

The final horse inspection at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event will commence at 8 a.m. on Sunday, following by the third and final phase of show jumping. Scores among the top contenders are close in all four divisions, which will make for an exciting climax to the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event.

Waylon Roberts riding Yarrow leads the CCI1* division following cross-country
Waylon Roberts riding Yarrow leads the CCI1* division following cross-country

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

Kieffer and Dutton Dominate Dressage at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

Lauren Kieffer riding Veronica leads the CCI3* division following the opening phase of dressage at Bromont. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – Lauren Kieffer and Phillip Dutton are the early leaders following the first phase of competition at the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, running June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

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. The opening phase of dressage is now complete at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, and riders are preparing for Saturday’s cross-country phase, followed by the third and final phase of show jumping on Sunday.

Leading the CCI3* division after dressage is Lauren Kieffer of the United States. Kieffer, of Middleburg, VA, rode Team Rebecca’s Veronica to the top of a 22-horse starting field with a dressage score of 44.6 penalties. Kieffer has a comfortable lead over second placed William Coleman III, a member of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team in London, who earned 50.2 penalties riding Obos O’Reilly.

“My horse was great with the atmosphere here and I’m really happy with her,” said Kieffer, who is impressed by the cross-country course she will face on Saturday. “This is my first time here and it’s beautiful. The course is big and bold, and the questions are right out there in front of you. There are lots of places for you to let your guard down and make a mistake.”

Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after dressage
Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after dressage

The CIC3* is a division held at the same level as the CCI3*, but on a shorter cross-country course with fewer jumping efforts. After dressage, Phillip Dutton of the United States leads the CIC3* after scoring 46.9 penalties for his test riding Ben, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding also owned by Team Rebecca.

“Ben is a smart mover and has a really good head,” said Dutton, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist. “He gets a bit more forward in the atmosphere of the competition, but he doesn’t get silly. I was pleased with the trot work, but I could definitely improve the canter work still more.”

Dutton expects the real test to come on Saturday with the cross-country phase. “There are some big fences and there is some technical stuff in there as well. There are lots of different factors here.”

Dutton, an Olympic team veteran of both his native Australia and the U.S., holds a narrow lead over Canada’s Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON, who is less than one point behind Dutton with 47.7 penalties. Phoenix is riding Pavarotti, her partner at the 2011 Pan American Games where she won individual gold and team silver medals for Canada.

American Sharon White leads the CCI2* division with Don Sheffield on a score of 49.8 penalties. Holding down second place is Canada’s Jordan McDonald with 50.2 penalties. McDonald, from Oakville, ON, is also fifth in the CCI2* division with Glencanto with 57.2 penalties.

In the CCI1* division, Jennifer Bazan of the United States leads with 44.3 penalties riding Allegretta while Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, currently sits second on 45.7 penalties riding Yarrow.

The cross-country competition, the most exciting phase of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, with the CCI1* division, followed by the CCI3*, CIC3*, and CCI2* divisions. American FEI 4*course designer Derek Di Grazia, Bromont’s resident course designer since 2009, will challenge competitors with courses of world class standards. The cross-country fences have again been constructed by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Spectators attending the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event have the opportunity to watch some of North America’s finest equestrian athletes compete at the only annual three day event held at a former Olympic site. The Bromont Olympic Horse Park was the site of equestrian events at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Over the past 27 years of its existence, the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event has become one of North America’s most prestigious three day events, and is the only competition of its kind in Canada sanctioned at the three star level by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

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

Sharon White Takes Early Lead at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

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

Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event Set to Begin

Jonathan Holling of the United States, pictured here riding Downtown Harrison, will attempt to defend his title at the Volvo Bromont CCI***. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – The 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, gets underway at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec, on June 6, concluding on June 9.  Over the past 27 years, Bromont has attained elite status as 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).

In 2013, the Bromont Three Day Event has once again attracted many of North America’s top international eventing riders, including Olympic, World Championship and Pan American Games medalists.  Among the entries for the home country is Canada’s top placed team member from the 2012 London Olympic Three Day Event, Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON.

“Bromont is a really important event for us Canadians.  It is the closest event for us at that level and calibre of competition,” said Phoenix.  “Bromont is a destination for our upper level horses, and doing this level in Canada is so exciting.  We are very lucky to have this competition in Canada.”

Phoenix will compete with three horses at Bromont including Pavarotti, the horse on which she won individual gold and team silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico.  The 11-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Don Good will compete in the CIC3*, a division first offered at Bromont in 2012 at the request of U.S. and Canadian Olympic team selectors and an instant hit with competitors.

“I think Pavarotti is in really fine form, and I’m excited to be at Bromont with him,” said Phoenix.  “I think the course will be very suitable for him.  I am also pleased that his owner, Don Good, will be able to attend Bromont and watch his horse compete.”

Another Canadian team veteran competing at Bromont is Selena O’Hanlon of Kingston, ON.  O’Hanlon was a member of Canada’s silver medal team at the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY.  O’Hanlon has three horses entered in the CCI3* division, including the horse with which she was Phoenix’s teammate at the 2011 Pan American Games, where Canada won team silver.  Calgary native Kyle Carter, who was also a member of Canada’s 2010 silver medalist WEG team, will compete in the CCI3* with his 2010 WEG and 2008 Olympic Games partner, Madison Park.

Two winners from the 2012 Bromont Three Day Event will be returning in 2013, including the defending champion of the CCI3*, The Todd Sandler Challenge, Jonathan Holling of Ocala, FL.  Holling won Bromont’s top division in 2012 riding a three-star rookie, Downtown Harrison.  He will attempt to defend his title in the CCI3* riding another first-time three-star horse, Zapotek B, owned by Team Rebecca.

“This is my horse’s first season at this level, and Bromont will be his first three-star event,” said Holling, who isn’t taking the prospect of a second consecutive victory for granted.  “Every horse is different, but I’m certainly not coming to Bromont to lose.”

Holling has had a number of successes at Bromont over the years, including winning his first ever CCI in 1998.  “I love Bromont,” he said.  “It’s my favourite place!”

Also returning to the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event after victory in 2012 is Bruce (Buck) Davidson, Jr. of Unionville, PA.  Davidson won the CCI1* division in 2012 riding Copper Beach.  A member of the gold medalist United States 2011 Pan American Games team, Davidson has two horses entered in the CCI2* and one in the CCI1* division.

“Bromont is a beautiful and fun place to go at the beginning of summer,” said Davidson.  “Every year the event gets better and better.  The courses are fantastic and definitely up to the level.  The horses seem to enjoy Bromont and the owners enjoy it too.”

Derek Di Grazia of the United States, Bromont’s resident course designer since 2009, will once again design the tracks for all four of Bromont’s CCI divisions this year.  Di Grazia, an FEI 4* course designer, is widely considered to be one of the best in the world.  He will be assisted by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Volvo has returned for the second consecutive year as title sponsor of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event.  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 2013 Bromont Three Day Event will play host to an FEI Course for FEI level Eventing judges, course designers, technical delegates and stewards.  Participants from six countries will attend the Course, whose clinicians include the FEI’s Eventing Committee Chair, Giuseppe Della Chiesa of Italy.

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.

The highlight of the competition at Bromont is always the thrilling cross-country phase, which will take place on Saturday, June 8.  In addition to watching some of the world’s most successful riders and most talented horses, spectators will have the chance to take in the uniquely beautiful setting of Bromont.  Located just an hour’s drive east of Montreal in the heart of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, the beauty, culture and regional cuisine of Bromont draw visitors from around the world.

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

Past Champions Return to Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

Buck Davidson riding Copper Beach is the defending champion of the CCI* division of the Volvo Bromont CCI*** Three Day Event. Photo by Cealy Tetley

Bromont, Quebec – The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, to be held June 6 to 9 in Bromont, Quebec, is once again attracting North America’s top equestrian athletes.  Bromont is Canada’s only three day event sanctioned at the three-star level by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).  The Bromont organizing committee, which will celebrate the event’s 27th anniversary in 2013, is preparing to welcome over 150 horses and riders to one of North America’s most prestigious equestrian competitions.

Among the confirmed entries for the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event is Bruce (Buck) Davidson, Jr. of Unionville, PA, who has competed at Bromont for the past five consecutive years.  The defending Champion of the 2012 Bromont CCI1* division riding Copper Beach, Davidson was a member of the gold medal-winning American team at the 2011 Pan American Games, where he also won the individual bronze medal.

Another past winner at Bromont who will be returning to this year’s competition is Phillip Dutton of West Grove, PA.  A native of Australia, Dutton was a member of that country’s gold medal team at both the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games before becoming a U.S. citizen and representing his adopted country at the past two Olympics.

“I’m very much looking forward to this year’s Bromont Three Day Event,” said Dutton, who has been named the U.S. Eventing Association’s Leading Rider for 13 of the past 15 years.  “It’s always a great competition with the best horses and riders from the U.S. and Canada competing.  The cross-country, the atmosphere, and the overall friendliness of Bromont make for a great event.”

Another American entry at the 2013 Bromont Three Day Event is Lauren Kieffer of Middleburg, VA.  Kieffer will be riding Cosima, a horse owned by American breeder Jacqueline Mars, who has supported Bromont over many years by sending her horses to the event.  The Bromont organizing committee is honoured to welcome Ms. Mars, who will be attending the 2013 Bromont Three Day Event in person.  Among the other confirmed American entries for the 2013 Bromont Three Day Event are Will Coleman, a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, Allison Springer, and Sally Cousins, all of whom are making a return visit to Bromont.

The Bromont Organizing committee is proud to welcome Volvo back for a second year as title sponsor of the 2013 event.  SSG Gloves is also returning, for the third year, as a sponsor of the Bromont Three Day Event.

“We are so thankful for all of our sponsors, and I would especially like to recognize Ed James and SSG Gloves,” said Bromont Event Director Sue Ockendon.  In addition to being a long-standing personal sponsor of Olympic medalists Pippa Funnell of Great Britain and Phillip Dutton, the Canadian-based riding gloves manufacturer SSG Gloves awarded $30,000 in bonus money to riders wearing SSG Gloves at the recent Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in April.

“SSG Gloves is one sponsor that really goes out of their way to make it happen for the riders, and we are really appreciative to be a part of their sponsorship program,” said Ockendon.  “I think they did a fantastic job at Rolex Kentucky, and sponsorship programs like the one they ran there really show the way for the future of the sport.  We need more people like Ed James.  I hope that all the riders wear SSG Gloves at Bromont and show their support!”

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

In addition to delivering top notch competition in the CCI3*, CIC3*, CCI2* and CCI1* divisions, the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event will host an FEI Course for FEI level Eventing judges, course designers, technical delegates and stewards.  One of the three FEI Course Directors is FEI Eventing Committee Chair Giuseppe Della Chiesa.  FEI Olympic Games and Eventing Director, Catrin Norinder, will also be traveling to Bromont from Europe for the FEI Course.  The course design section will be run by John Nicholson, an internationally renowned course designer who is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, home of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event.  The FEI Course at Bromont will be attended by individuals from six nations.

The Bromont Three Day Event takes place at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park, home to equestrian events at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.  It is the only annual eventing competition in the world to take place at a former Olympic site.  Derek Di Grazia of the United States has been the resident course designer at Bromont since 2009.  Considered one of the world’s top FEI course designers as well as the current course designer at the CCI4* Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, Di Grazia will test horses and riders over his challenging Bromont course during the cross-country phase on Saturday, June 8.  Course construction will again be provided by course builder Jay Hambly of Canada.

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.

While the annual Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event attracts North America’s most accomplished three day event riders and their horses, it has also become a destination event for spectators, who travel to Bromont to enjoy high calibre competition in a beautiful setting.  The unique and charming village of Bromont is less than one kilometre from the Bromont Olympic Horse Park.  Visitors to Bromont have an opportunity to enjoy the exceptional hospitality of the region, including gourmet dining and fine local wines.

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