June 30, 2005 – Blainville, Quebec – Quebec’s own Evi Strasser rode away victorious in the Grand Prix held Thursday at the CDI***-W Blainville Dressage International in Blainville, QC.

Strasser of Ste-Adele, QC, earned a score of 67.33% for her performance riding Quantum Tyme, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quattro. A member of the Silver Medal Team at the 2003 Pan American Games, Strasser and Quantum Tyme have been consistently winning this season, having also emerged victorious at last month’s World Cup Qualifying event in Ottawa, ON.

“Quantum Tyme is just coming into his prime, and the whole ride is bigger and more relaxed,” noted the Canadian Olympian. “It is very exciting to see the way he is developing, and I just have to learn how to properly channel his energy.”

Placing a very close second was Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON, riding Gran Gesto, also a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding. The pair, who were Strasser’s teammates at the Pan American Games, earned a score of 67.25%.

Finishing in third place was World Championship veteran Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON. With Ariston, her nine-year-old Ukrainian Warmblood gelding, MacLachlan earned a score of 64.17% from the five-member panel of international judges.

Germany’s Albrecht Heidemann placed fourth with the big bay gelding, Lincoln, while Jon Costin of Puslinch, ON, rounded out the top five with Wholio, a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding. The only other Grand Prix competitor, Whitney Harris of Burlington, ON, riding Nektor, placed sixth.

Showcasing the stars of the future, Strasser once again edged Brooks to claim the FEI Six-Year-Old Division with Foto Tyme, her Westphalian gelding by Florestan I. Jacqueline Brooks was riding Balmoral, a Canadian-bred Hannoverian gelding by Belcanto.

In other competition, Julie Watchorn of Schomberg, ON, won the FEI Young Riders’ Team test with Quintesse, edging Ottawa’s Amy McIlwham and Marzipan. In the FEI Junior Division, it was Brittany Fraser and Prince Pablo who emerged victorious.

Sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the CDI***-W Blainville Dressage International runs from June 29 to July 2 at Blainville Equestrian Park located in the heart of Blainville, QC. Friday will feature the Grand Prix Speciale as well as FEI classes for Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders’. The four-day Blainville Dressage International culminates with Saturday night’s Casino de Montreal Freestyle Extravaganza. Over 200 horses are competing at this year’s international event, which offers $20,000 in prize money and also serves as Canada’s longest running World Cup Qualifier.

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 purchasing tickets for Saturday’s Casino de Montreal Freestyle Extravaganza, please visit www.classiqueblainville.com or contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202, e-mail: classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

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Athlete Hometown Horse Score
1. Evi Strasser Ste-Adele, QC Quantum Tyme 67.33%
2. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Gran Gesto 67.25%
3. Nancy MacLachlan Terra Cotta, ON Ariston 64.17%
4. Albrecht Heidemann Germany Lincoln 61.46%
5. Jon Costin Puslinch, ON Wholio 61.08%
6. Whitney Harris Burlington, ON Nektor 59.46%