July 10, 2004 – Blainville, Quebec – Chris Pratt claimed the $20,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix held Saturday at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International in Blainville, QC.

A total of 19 contenders took to the grand prix field in an attempt to win the $20,000 Desjardins Challenge with six advancing to the jump-off over the test set by course designer Eugene Mathy of Belgium.

Erynn Ballard and Rio’s Rhapsody, a grey Canadian-bred mare by Rio Grande, were the first to return, but two rails down gave them a total of eight faults. Current Canadian Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, was the next rider to take to the field riding Hickstead, the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Farms. Again, two rails fell, but Lamaze was able to post a time of 44.63 seconds that would prove to be the fastest of the day to earn fourth place.

Belgian rider Eric Flameng’s strategy was to go slow and steady with Mazelle, leaving all of the rails up but in a slower time of 49.33 seconds. Hometown hopes were riding on Nathalie Mathers-Sadovic of St- Eustache, QC, but again eight rails fell as she attempted the jump-off with Zizou.

Chris Pratt of Terra Cotta, ON, had got the Blainville Jumping International off to a good start by winning Wednesday’s Open Jumper competition and was a strong favourite coming into the $20,000 Desjardins Challenge. Riding Mustique, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Indoctro, Pratt was fast and efficient, easily clearing every hurdle in a time of 47.05 seconds.

Last to challenge, 21-year-old Jenny Jones of South Carolina, who had won Thursday’s Power and Speed competition, also put in a faultless performance riding Lyon for owner Torrey Pines, but her time of 48.23 seconds was not fast enough to catch Pratt.

“The course was tricky in places,” noted Pratt, 35. “My mare is very clever, despite only being seven, and she’s so willing to do her job. This is the biggest course she has ever jumped, but she is so laid-back about it all, that’s what makes her good.

“I tell you, I am the most fortunate guy in the world,” continued Pratt, who picked up a $6,000 winner’s cheque for owner Sue Grange of Cheltenham, ON. “I have great horses, a fantastic owner, and excellent support staff. It is really nice to be able to focus and concentrate all of my efforts on training horses.”

Pratt will now be concentrating his efforts on Sunday’s $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier at 2 p.m. when he will compete with two horses, Markant and Rivendell. His toughest competition may come from defending champion, Ainsley Vince of Milton, ON, who will ride three horses in her attempt to defend the title.

The $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier will be broadcast 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.

Located just north of Montreal, Blainville Equestrian Park features a variety of attractions that ensure family members enjoy their visit. For more information, please contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202, fax: (450) 434-8209, or e-mail: info@classiqueblainville.com.