Bromont, August 1, 2019 – American rider Leslie Howard (USA) and Donna Speciale continue on their momentum with a second FEI-level victory at the International held at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park until August 4, 2019.

A commanding course
The course designed by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) comprised 12 obstacles for 15 efforts in the first round and the technical difficulties beat most of the athletes. The really tight turn between the first and second obstacle, the double combination and the second to last obstacle pushed rides and their mounts to fault. In fact, the tight square turn between the first and second obstacle presented a difficult approach, while the double combination, emphasizing the second part of the gymnastic, caused a lot of faults at the first effort. Finally, obstacle 11, with its back to the crowd, brought the horses to an angle, making it easier to make the bar drop. Only 10 pairs made it to the jump-off, including Amy & Jonathon Millar (CAN), respectively riding Truman and Bonzay, Hyde Moffat (CAN) and Gisborne VDL, Quebecker Alexanne Thibault (CAN) with Chacco Prime, Irishman Daniel Coyle (IRL) with Cita, as well as Americans Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Fantasy BB, Christine McCrea (USA) with Jarcobond Van Den Oude Eik and Dali de Vy, and Leslie Howard (USA) and Donna Speciale.

Simply Masterful
The first pairs back on the course for the second round were Alexanne Thibault (CAN) aboard Chacco Prime while Frank Hendriks (CAN) and Dio both got penalties over obstacles. Daniel Coyle (IRL), who followed in the ring with Cita registered a fast rhythm allowing them to execute a clear round and establishes the time to beat at 34.78 seconds. The following 7 pairs had a leader to beat. Neither Christine McCrea (USA) with her two horses, Jonathon Millar (CAN) Bonzay, nor Hyde Moffat (CAN) aboard Gisborne VDL succeeded in getting clear rounds. As for Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Fantasy BB  and Amy Millar (CAN) and Truman their perfect rounds are not enough to take first place, as Coyle & Cita still have the best time.

That is when Leslie Howard (USA) and Donna Speciale, who had been in the top 4 of all international events last week, came in the ring. Leslie Howard, who is not afraid of anything pushed her 11-year-old grey Dutch Warmblood mare (Cavalier x Concorde) to give her best: stride after stride, taking all possible shortcuts, the pair gained ground. They only had one goal in mind, get the best time and execute a clear round to finish first. With a close to a lead of one second over the former leaders, they claimed top honors in 33.95 seconds.

Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Cita (Casall x Pik Ramiro) were the runners-up, timed in 34.78 seconds.

Amy Millar (CAN) and Truman (MyLord Carthago*HN x Kolibri) rounded out the top three with no penalties and a jump-off time of 39.43 seconds during the tiebreaker.

The Assante Classic CSI 3* presented tomorrow 
Tomorrow’s schedule will finish with the presentation of the Assante Classic CSI 3*  at 5 p.m., an event sanctioned by the Fédération Équestre Internationale with over $36,000 in prize money.

About International Bromont 
International Bromont presents its 44^th edition in the picturesque setting of the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, in the heart of the beautiful region of the Eastern Townships. For more information and details about the program, visit the web site at: www.internationalbromont.com.

International Bromont would like to thank the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur, the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec; the town of Bromont, Assante and all its partners for their support.

About Association équestre Centaure
Association équestre Centaure is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of promoting equestrian sports, particularly the classic equitation disciplines, through sports events at the regional, national and international levels. Association équestre Centaure is the only Quebec organization presenting events sanctioned by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) in show jumping, dressage and driving.

Association équestre Centaure would like to thank its major partners, the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec and the Town of Bromont for their support, as well as its partners Assante, Olymel, Cofina, Cascade, Volta and donors Marcel Lessard and Jacques Marchand

Results – Bromont Open Welcome CSI 3*
1. Leslie Burr Howard (USA) & Donna Speciale – 0 / 0 – 33.95
2. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Cita – 0 / 0 – 34.78
3. Amy Millar (CAN) & Truman – 0 / 0 – 39.43
4. Jonathan McCrea (USA) & Fantasy BB – 0 / 0 – 40.66
5. Frank Hendriks (NED) & Dio – 0 / 4 – 40.57
6. Christine McCrea (USA) & Dali de Vy 0-4, 41.11
7. Hyde Moffat (CAN) & Gisborne VDL 0-4, 42.24
8. Christine McCrea (USA) & Jarcobond Van Den Oude Eik – 0 / 4 – 43.07
9. Alexanne Thibault (CAN) & Chacco Prime – 0 / 8 – 37.95
10. Jonathon Millar (CAN) & Bonzay – 0 / 8 – 39.70

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release by Alexandra Hill for International Bromont

Photo: © Tom von Kapherr