July 8, 2006 – Blainville, Quebec – John Pearce claimed his second consecutive victory at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International by winning the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins on Saturday, July 8.

Hot off his win in Friday's $20,000 Open Welcome riding Archie Bunker, Pearce of Stouffville, ON, returned on Saturday to be among the 40 challengers in the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins. While eight passed the first round test to return for the jump-off, none could catch the time of 34.60 seconds posted by Pearce.

The first jump-off challenger, Darlene Sandlin of the United States, had posted a time of 34.66 seconds riding Holiday, but had a rail down at the final fence to eventually place sixth. Alison Moore of Ottawa, ON, rode Chianto to a slow and steady clear, stopping the timers at 39.82 seconds to place fifth.

Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, got the crowd excited with a speedy round aboard Ronaldo, but the clock told the story, flashing the time of 35.79 seconds, still more than a second off of Pearce's pace. Eric Hasbrouck of Bedford, NY, took his shot riding Trelawny Farm's Lavaletta, and managed to improve on Lamaze's time, clocking in at 35.24 seconds and eventually finishing as runner-up. Another American challenger, Kirk Webby, was clear in the jump-off riding Sitah, but his time of 35.80 seconds put him just behind Lamaze in fourth place.

American Olympic Gold Medallist Chris Kappler and Eric Flameng of Belgium both incurred problems in the jump-off by attempting a sharp turn to the second obstacle on course. Both of their horses stopped, and while Flameng's horse, Mazelle, cleared the fence on the second attempt, Kappler's mount, Copado, had the rail down. When the jumping and time penalties were totaled, the math revealed that Flameng had 17 faults for seventh position while Kappler racked up 29 faults to place eighth.

And so, for the second day in a row, Pearce claimed the victory, along with a winner's cheque of $7,500.

Following Friday's $20,000 Open Welcome where Pearce advanced to the jump-off with all three of his entries - Archie Bunker (1st), Champagne (7th) and Urioso (10th), he said he would ride Champagne in the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins as he thought the 13-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding had a good chance of winning, and concentrate on riding Archie Bunker and Urioso in Sunday's $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier.

"Champagne is getting a little older now, and I have to be careful about picking the classes best suited for him," said Pearce, who also claimed a victory in Indio, California, earlier this year with his long-time partner.

It was a wise choice, and paid off with a second consecutive victory. The fans will be watching to see if Pearce can make it three in a row in Sunday's $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier, an opportunity for riders to qualify for the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA.

One of the longest running international equestrian competitions in all of Canada, the 18th Blainville Jumping International sees over 700 horses competing for more than $170,000 in prize money over the five-day tournament. Located just north of Montreal, the Blainville Equestrian Park features a variety of attractions for family members of all ages. For more information, please visit www.classiqueblainville.com or contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202 ext. 108, e-mail: classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

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Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. John Pearce Stouffville, ON Champagne 0:0 34.40
2. Eric Hasbrouck United States Lavaletta 0:0 35.24
3. Eric Lamaze Schomberg, ON Ronaldo 0:0 35.79
4. Kirk Webby United States Sitah 0:0 35.80
5. Alison Moore Ottawa, ON Chianto 0: 0 39.82
6. Darlene Sandlin United States Holiday 0:4 34.66
7. Eric Flameng Belgium Mazelle 0:17 52.57
8. Chris Kappler United States Copado 0:29 64.02