June 28, 2004 – Blainville, Quebec – Ainsley Vince will be looking to defend her title in the $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier when the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International gets underway July 7-11 at the Blainville Equestrian Park in Blainville, QC.

At just 27 years of age, Vince has become a fixture on the Canadian show jumping circuit and is a serious contender in every competition she enters. This year will be no different as Vince will bring three Grand Prix mounts to Blainville – the veteran campaigner Catch 22, the handsome stallion Kafka, and the newly acquired Uno.

It is with the Dutch Warmblood gelding, Catch 22, that Vince has recorded the most success internationally, including last year’s victory in Blainville. Since winning the World Cup Qualifier last July, Vince and Catch 22 have been members of the victorious Canadian Team in the Samsung Nations’ Cup in Wellington, FL, and made their third World Cup Final appearance in Milan, Italy. For Vince, who is fiercely competitive, returning to Blainville to defend her title in the $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier is an opportunity she looks forward to.

“The Quebec circuit has been good to me the last few years, and Blainville in particular holds a special place in my heart,” notes Vince of Milton, ON. “The show is a little more European in feel, the people are so nice, the grand prix field is great and the crowds are fantastic. I have been lucky in Blainville, and am hoping that luck continues!”

Vince will face stiff competition from a slew of Canadian Olympians who will also be on hand including Beth Underhill (1992 Barcelona Olympics) and Chris Delia (1996 Atlanta Olympics). Breakthrough Canadian star, Chris Pratt, will be a strong contender, as will two international challengers, four-time Olympian Manuel Torres of Colombia and one of France’s finest, Yann Candele, hot of a strong performance at the 2004 World Cup Final.

A total of $145,000 in prize money is offered throughout the five-day tournament. In addition to the $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier held on Sunday, July 11, other feature classes include Friday’s $15,000 Open Welcome Stake and Saturday’s $20,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix. Eugene Mathy of Belgium will act as the course designer on the Grand Prix field that has undergone major improvements and upgrades in order to provide this year’s competitors with a world-class show jumping facility.

The $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier will be broadcasted in French on Sunday, August 1 at 2 p.m. on RDS, and in English on Saturday, August 7 at 2 p.m. on Global television.