June 30, 2006 – Blainville, Quebec – Although the sun only made brief appearances, the competition was shining in the FEI Junior Freestyle competition held Friday during the CDI3* Blainville Dressage International, an internationally-sanctioned equestrian competition running June 28-July 1 at Blainville Equestrian Park.

Five competitors braved the weather conditions and it was Amy Jager of Breslau, ON, who rode away the winner. For her musical freestyle, a competition that sees riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice, Jager earned an impressive score of 71.667% for her performance riding Jive, a 15-year-old black Dutch Warmblood gelding. Jager is coached by Jon Costin who finished as the runner-up in Thursday's Grand Prix competition.

In second place was Newfoundland's Jessica Rhinelander. The St. John's resident makes frequent trips to Ottawa to train with Ruth Koch at her Ox Ridge Stables just south of the city. The long distance travel paid off with a score of 64.500% for Rhinelander's performance aboard Allende, her 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding.

Riding in her very first competition at the FEI Junior level, which is open to riders aged 14 to 18, Lindsay Kellock of Mount Albert, ON, earned a score of 62.917%. The 16-year-old has been partnered with Milestone, a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding, for one year, and is coached by Jacqueline Brooks who will represent Canada at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, this August. And that is not Kellock's only connection to the Canadian Dressage Team - her godmother is Ashley Holzer, who will also compete at the World Equestrian Games and was a Team Bronze Medallist for Canada at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Also receiving a score of 62.917% to tie for third place was Danielle McKinnon of Aurora, ON, riding the 15-year-old gelding, Noma Tender. McKinnon trains with Gillian Sutherland, winner of Wednesday's Prix St. Georges competition. Annie-Pier Venne of Smithville, ON, rounded out the top five with Warashan, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding.

For the third day in a row, Tatiana Turcotte of Mount Royal, QC, and her 10-year-old Connemara pony, Serenity's Dream On emerged victorious. The pair topped the FEI Pony Freestyle with a score of 66.417% to edge Jade Deter of Kemptville, ON, riding Columbo 25 who earned 60.583%.

Julia Vysniauskas and Cheryl Meisner both had two horses in the Grand Prix division and as only one can move forward to the Freestyle, both rode in the Grand Prix Special. Vysniauskas, 24, who hails from Cochrane, AB, and represents Lithuania in competition, took the win with a score of 60.840% riding Papillon, a nine-year-old German Sport Horse gelding that she has been partnered with for three seasons since purchasing him in Europe. Meisner, 24, who hails from the other end of the country, Halifax, NS, earned 57% for her performance with Hesperos, a 12-year-old German Trakhener gelding owned by Lobster Point Farms.

The highlight of the CDI3* Blainville Dressage International is Saturday evening's 'Freestyle Extravaganza'. Strasser and Quantum Tyme will attempt to defend their title by riding their signature 'Lion King - Circle of Life' Freestyle. A limited number of general admission tickets are still available for $15 each, please call 450 434-8202 to reserve.

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