For the second time in as many weeks, American Olympic medalist Peter Leone topped the standings with Lionshare Farm’s Donner, after the luck of the draw worked in their favour at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park.

Photo:  American Olympian Peter Leone and Donner were victorious Friday night in the FEI CSI2* Open Welcome presented by Assante Wealth Group El-Chaer in the International Bromont at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park. L-R: Foreign Judge Rosemary Ockendon Day (GBR); The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology; Honorary President Roger Deslauriers. (© Tom Von Kapherr Photography / Kelsey Jones Goyette)

The pair were last to go in a jump-off of just three, in Friday night’s FEI CSI2* Open Welcome presented by Assante Group El-Chaer. They jumped a slow but clear round, coming home in a time of 52.876 seconds, well behind the quicker times of the second and third placed finishers Sabrina Lefebvre and RF Most Wanted (48.527 with 4 faults) and Alexandre Cousineau Denis and Guibet F (48.612 with 8 faults.) David Arcand and Phil V/D Wezelse Heihoeve had also qualified for the second round but opted not to return.

Leone admits there is a distinct advantage to going last, especially with the very different style and feel of courses this week being built by renowned designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) over last week’s Michel Vaillancourt (CAN).

“My first round I went last, so I knew by then where the problems were and what the tricky parts of the course were. For the jump-off I came down to the ring prepared to have to go fast and clear. Again I had the advantage of going last. The first rider had two down, the second rider had one down. Just like last Sunday, I had the opportunity to go a little conservative… but my horse was fresh! But good. I’m thankful we managed to get the job done and secure the win.”

Leone commented his horse Donner was particularly energetic and feisty, at times bucking on course from feeling good.

“Going into today I tried to allow my horse to be a little fresh, I still have Sunday’s Grand Prix coming up and he worked hard last week giving two very good rounds both Friday and Sunday. So I let him freshen up and honestly I think I let him freshen a little too much!

“When he’s fresh he bucks and plays after the first jump and when he’s fresh he tends to be a little more wiggly and when he’s fresh he tends to not concentrate quite as well. I was pleased that I was able to get a good clear round out of him.”

In the jump-off, both Lefebvre and Cousineau Denis came to grief at the 8A element of the combination, which Leone referenced specifically following the class.

“Fence 8A was a very difficult question in the second round. We galloped literally halfway across the arena – and if you want to try to win you actually have to gallop not just canter – and it was a right-hand roll-back to a tall vertical entering a double combination. I knew it was going to be a very very difficult jump. My competitors both had it down. I had the opportunity to see that, and then really take my time to ensure my horse was able to stay off the vertical entering the double.”

Competition continues through the weekend with the smallest ponies, young horses and hunters right up to the FEI CSI2* division. Plenty of action will run on-site each day through Sunday with highlights including:

Saturday – $15,000 Modified Grand Prix; $5,000 Hunter Derby presented by Izada Equestrian (5:00pm on the grass field)

Sunday – U25 Grand Prix; $45,900 Grand Prix CSI2* 1.45 M presented by the Government of Quebec

$15,000 CSI2* 1.45m Open Welcome presented by Assante Wealth Group El-Chaer

1. Donner / Peter Leone / USA / 0/0/52.876
2. RF Most Wanted / Sabrina Lefebvre / CAN / 0/4/48.527
3. Guibet F / Alexandre Cousineau Denis / CAN / 0/8/48.612
4. Phil V/D Wezelse Heihoeve / CAN / 0/RT
4. Chapeau M / Frank Kendricks / NED / 2/86.627
6. Quantum Trost 3 / Abby Grabowski / USA / 4/78.415
7. Conny 409 / Kama Godek / USA / 4/78.649
8. Viamdios D’Avril / Lauren Esdale / 4/79.407

The fun dog & horse “Canine Equine Challenge” will start at approximately noon each Sunday before the Grand Prix. Sunday’s action from the international ring will be streamed live on the event’s Facebook page facebook.com/internationalbromont.

About International Bromont

For more than four decades, International Bromont has welcomed renowned riders, the young up-and-coming, passionate amateurs and all horse lovers to the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park. In 2023, the organizers of International Bromont will host international show jumping, driving and dressage across multiple FEI levels up to 3*. For the International Bromont 2023, over 600 horses will compete for over $350,000 in prize money over two weeks.

Located in the beautiful village of Bromont, Quebec, the spectator-friendly venue is within easy driving distance of Montreal, Quebec and Burlington Vermont. The event provides a wonderful family day out with a vendor area including food trucks. Young horse and riders regularly compete alongside the best in the world, where men and women compete on equal footing against one another.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.internationalbromont.org.