Friday July 18, 2003

Jacqueline Brooks Rides Away a Winner at CDI-W Blainville Dressage International

Competition in the CDI-W Blainville Dressage International got underway on Thursday with Ontario’s Jacqueline Brooks riding away the big winner.

Held at Blainville Equestrian Park, located just north of Montreal, Brooks, 35, claimed the Prix St. Georges division with a score of 70% riding Gran Gesto, an eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Grannox who is owned by Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch.

Brooks was able to defeat Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, and Mark, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Edison owned by Marie Andrews. Reid, who immediately followed Brooks into the ring, posted a score of 68.25% to finish in second position overall.

Quebec’s own Evi Strasser of Ste-Adele placed third in the 14-horse starting field after scoring 67.15% for her ride on Quantum Tyme, an eight-year-old Oldeburg gelding by Quattro owned by Good Tyme Stables.

Close behind with a score of 67.05% for fourth position was Tom Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON, riding Lenz, Equine Canada’s 12-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding. Olympic bronze medallist Ashley Holzer, originally from Toronto, ON, and now based in New York City, NY, rounded out the top five, earning a score of 66.60% for her performance riding Diane and George Fellows’ Gambol, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Gabor.

The Prix St. Georges competition served as a Selection Trial for the Canadian Dressage Team headed to the Pan American Games next month in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Now in the second and final weekend of head-to-head competition at Blainville Equestrian Park, the race for the four spots on the Team remains tight as all candidates are closely matched in the current standings.

In other International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned competition, Stephanie Chalaturnyk of King, ON, emerged victorious in the Young Rider division for competitors aged 16-21 after earning a score of 65.42% riding Widu Witulo. Leah Wilson won the Junior division for riders aged 14-18 with a score of 64.92% riding Dostoevsky.

The beauty and elegance of classic dressage continues at Blainville Equestrian Park until July 20. With $20,000 in prize money, sought-after World Cup points and Pan Am berths all up for grabs, competition is fierce the CDI-W Blainville Dressage International. Saturday evening’s Dressage Musical Freestyle Extravaganza, held outdoors for the second year in a row in order to accommodate overwhelming spectator demand, will be the highlight of the weekend.

Added attractions throughout the weekend will ensure that family members enjoy all that Blainville Equestrian Park has to offer. For more information, please contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202, fax: (450) 434-8209, or e-mail: info@classiqueblainville.com.

Prix St. Georges – Final Results

Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Gran Gesto 70.00%
2. Leslie Reid Langley, BC Mark 68.25%
3. Evi Strasser Ste-Adele, QC Quantum Tyme 67.15%
4. Tom Dvorak Hillsburgh, ON Lenz 67.05%
5. Ashley Holzer Toronto, ON Gambol 66.60%

Images copyrighted: Kathryn Eitutis

Related Links
2002 Classique Internationale de Blainville Rallies America's Top Dressage Riders for "Coupe des Ameriques"
2002 FEI Dressage Championhsip of the Americas