Posted April 23, 2006

Quebec's Blainville Equestrian Park Hosts World Class Dressage and Show Jumping

Dressage Features Freestyle Extravaganza

Well-established as Canadas premiere dressage competition, the 2006 edition of the CDI3*-W Blainville Dressage International will host the final Canadian Dressage Team Selection Trials for the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Having hosted Olympic and Pan American Games Selection Trials in the past, Blainville has a long tradition of showcasing the very best in dressage sport, and is a favourite venue among competitors.

In addition to a spot on the World Equestrian Games Team, an opportunity that comes only once every four years, valuable World Cup Qualifying points are also up for grabs for those wishing to represent Canada at the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas. Prize money totaling more than $20,000 only serves to sweeten the pot for competitors.

The four-day CDI3*-W Blainville Dressage International culminates in the Freestyle Extravaganza on Saturday, July 1. A sold-out event since its inception eight years ago, the Freestyle Extravaganza sees the top Grand Prix and Intermediaire level competitors performing their musical freestyles - choreographed movements set to the music of their choice - under the lights in front of thousands of fans. The stakes are high as the sport's best attempt to dance their way to victory.

Show Jumping in Style at Blainville Equestrian Park

Only days after the dressage competition wraps up, world-class show jumping begins with the return of the CSI-W Blainville Show Jumping International, now in its 18th year. Over $170,000 in prize money is offered over the five days of competition, with the feature event being Sunday's $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier. Last year's winner, Karen Cudmore and her feisty stallion, Conejo, will attempt to defend their title against some of the best show jumping challengers in the world.

Other popular competitions include Thursday's Talent Squad competition, featuring the up-and-coming superstars of the future, while Friday's featured class is the $20,000 Open Welcome. The crowd-pleasing $3,500 Horse-Dog Relay, which sees horses pair up with loveable canines, each jumping their own appropriately-sized obstacles, will follow Saturday afternoon's $25,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix. Considered one of the most gifted course designers in the world, Conrad Homfeld of the United States returns to Blainville to set the tracks, which require obedience from the horses and careful planning from the riders.

An investment in the grass footing in the Grand Prix Field, as well as the change to all-weather footing in the Annex Jumper Ring, met with rave reviews from the competitors last year. In 2006, the Blainville organizing committee has continued to make improvements to the facility, upgrading 104 semi-permanent stalls.

"In both the Olympic sports of dressage and show jumping, we have developed a reputation for hosting world-class competitions featuring World Cup Qualifiers," noted Jean-Pierre Arvisais, President of the Classique Internationale de Blainville. "We are pleased to offer our dressage competitors access to the best judges in the world, and having Conrad Homfeld return as the course designer is a huge benefit to the show jumping athletes. In 2005, we enjoyed one of our most successful years to date, and we look forward to repeating that enjoyable experience this summer for competitors and spectators alike."

Located just north of Montreal, Blainville Equestrian Park features a variety of attractions that ensure all family members enjoy their visit. For more information, including prize lists, please visit www.classiqueblainville.com or contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202 ext. 108, e-mail: classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

Photo Credit: The Grand Prix Field at Blainville Equestrian Park. Photo by Cealy Tetley