‘On
the Canadian Scene’
………… with Jennifer Ward
Bromont, Quebec – June 15, 2006 - In one of those situations where
if you didn't laugh you'd cry, the Bromont International Three Day Event
took place under rainy skies from June 8-11. Although sunny skies
were reported in the surrounding area, the clouds hung over the site of the equestrian
events at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Although Mother Nature was determined,  competition
organizers were just as determined to put on a good show, and the competitors
were determined to do the same. (Please see photo of the Show Jumping
arena under water at the right.) Buck Davidson came
north of the border to give the Canadians a run for their money and galloped home
to Pennsylvania with the victory in the CCI** Division with Private Heart.
With clear cross-country and show jumping rounds, Buck ended his bid with
a final score of 55.80 penalty points to take his first two-star victory at Bromont.
While another American, Kristen Bond, finished as the runner-up
riding Three Wishes and American-based British transplant, Robin Walker,
took third with Loughnatousa Spot, the top Canadian was found in fourth position.
Gwen Lehari celebrated her 50th birthday by finishing second in dressage
with a score of 52.60, then added 20 penalty points over cross-country before
going clear in show jumping. The winner of last year's CIC** section couldn't
have been happier with the performance of her 12-year-old Canadian thoroughbred
gelding, Daniel. "As usual, my horse was a star and
we had our best dressage ever," said Gwen. "The cross-country
was wet and sloppy and, due to the footing, they took out some of the jumps and
adjusted the time. I made a pilot error, but I couldn’t be happier with Daniel.
He was very fit after the cross-country, and was dragging me around, which is
always great to see.” Four more Canadians finished in the top
ten including Brandon McMechan, who enjoyed a clear cross-country performance
to place seventh with Montenegro, a horse owned by Equine Canada. Selena
O’Hanlon and Peanuts were eighth, while Canadian Olympian Garry
Roque was ninth riding Leatherhead. Mark Nelson and Power of 2 rounded
out the top ten. The Americans again battled it out for victory
in the CCI* Division with Will Coleman emerging the victor while Buck
settled for second. Canada's Erika Koczi placed third overall, and was
also the top placed junior/young rider competitor after finishing on her dressage
score of 60. Erika, a local Quebec competitor, was riding Dare to Compare,
a Canadian thoroughbred owned by Colleen Loach. At the 2003 North American
Young Rider's Championship, which was also held at Bromont, Colleen was
a member of the Bronze Medal Team with Dare to Compare, and also finished
eighth individually. It is always great to see an experienced horse sharing its
knowledge with a young up-and-comer, especially considering that this horse has
three years on Erika - he is 18 while she is only 15! "I
was quite amazed with our results," said Erika, who is clearly benefiting
from the partnership. "It was our first CCI*, so I wasn’t expecting
it and still can’t believe it. Competing at Bromont has been my goal since
I started eventing and despite the lousy weather, I was very excited and had a
lot of fun." Following in Mom's footsteps, Kendal Lehari
was the second-highest placed junior/young rider competitor in the CCI* division
riding Understudy. With one of the cutest horses on the Canadian
eventing scene, Jessica Ruppel and Naughty By Nature took home the
win in the CIC** Division. Standing only 15hh, Naughty By Nature is grey
and white Morgan/Arab/Appaloosa-cross gelding. Jessica has been his only
rider since breaking him as a three-year-old, and after finishing sixth individually
at the 2003 North American Young Rider's Championship, the pair has continued
to enjoy strong results at the Intermediate level. Of course, the weather played
a role in their results at Bromont with Jessica, 23, noting, "The
mud was brutal, but I was so pleased with my horse, especially in the cross-country."
The runner-up was Vanessa Fenwick riding Balista, the horse
that Mike Winter rode at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Vanessa purchased
the 15-year-old American thoroughbred gelding this winter and has already completed
some advanced level competitions with him. Finishing third was local favourite
Isabel Landry and Vaillante. Canadians dominated
the CIC* Division with Michelle Mueller leading from start to finish with
the seven-year-old gelding Amistad. Canadian Olympian Ian Roberts was
second with Myrddin’s Sabastion while Robyn Miller was third aboard T’Jean.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, which kept cross-country course
builder Jay Hambly busy making sure all the jumps were safe for take-off
and landing, competition organizer Sue Ockendon and her team once again
earned high praise for the 19th running of the event. "It was
a great event as usual, with a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere," said
Gwen Lehari. "It’s a fabulous event and people who have never
been don’t know what they are missing. The more competitors that support
it, the longer the event will be with us." Plans are already
underway to make 2007 even bigger and better. Here's hoping Mother Nature will
just be a little kinder next time around. | 