June 28, 2007 – Blainville, Quebec – The CDI3*-W Blainville Dressage International opened on Wednesday at the Blainville Equestrian Park, located north of Montreal, QC. Held June 27 to 30, the Blainville Dressage International is sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and features top international dressage competitors including Olympic, World Championship and Pan American Games veterans.

The superstars of tomorrow were showcased on Wednesday with international divisions of competition for Young Riders, Junior, Children and Pony riders. In the Young Rider Team test, Leah Wilson of Caledon, ON, emerged victorious from the 12-horse field. Wilson had competed in an international dressage event held one week earlier in Ottawa where she swept all three tests that comprise the Young Rider division riding Westside Lady. While she continued to dominate in Blainville, this time it was Dostoevsky, her Russian Warmblood gelding, that carried her to victory. Affectionately referred to as 'Ivan', Dostoevsky put Wilson at the top of the leader board with a score of 66.741%, just edging out his stable mate, Westside Lady, who earned 66.519% from the panel of international judges.

The Blainville Dressage International acts as the final opportunity for competitors aged 16-21 to qualify for the 2007 North American Young Riders' Championship in Lexington, Virginia, this August. Wilson, who qualified the past two years but was unable to compete hopes the third time is the charm.

Placing third was Cecile von Martels of Ridgetown, ON, who scored 65.630% for her performance riding Downtown, her flashy chestnut Westphalian gelding. Nova Scotia native Brittany Fraser hails from New Glasgow and commutes to Ottawa to train with Level 3 coach Ruth Koch. She made all the air miles worthwhile by placing fourth riding Furio, her 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding. Rounding out the top five was Julie Watchorn of Schomberg, ON, riding her long-time partner, Quintesse, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. Watchorn also took seventh with Dobble Tyme.

In the FEI Junior division for riders' aged 14-18, Jade Deter of Kemptville, ON, claimed victory. Riding Mastermind, her 10-year-old Westphalian gelding, Deter earned a score of 67.583% to win over Jamie Holland of Caledon, ON, who scored 64.833% riding Fleurina, her nine-year-old Westphalian mare. Quebec competitor Annie-Pier Venne of L'Assomption earned third place with 63.750% riding Step Up while Anne-Mylaine Messier of St-Luc took fourth with Aldebaran.

In the FEI Children Team test, Kerry Houlahan and Fresco scored 61.398% to take the win over Kaitlin Bourgon of Elgin, QC, and the colourful paint gelding, Finding Nemo. The ponies always attract their fair share of attention and Tatianna Turcotte was a popular winner in the FEI Pony Team test. The Mount Royal resident earned 62.895% riding Serenity's Dream On, her Connemara pony.

In the national division of the show, husband and wife team of Lisa and Chris von Martels dominated the Prix St. Georges test, the same level of difficulty that the Pan American Games are contested at. Lisa von Martels emerged the winner over 23 other horse-rider combinations, scoring 65.833% riding Gtangelo. Her new husband, Chris von Martels, finished second with 63.583% riding Floris.

The featured event of the Blainville Dressage International is the spectacular 'Musical Freestyle Extravaganza' held Saturday, June 30. Completely sold-out the past nine years, the 'Musical Freestyle Extravaganza' sees riders competing under the lights to music that they have selected for themselves, giving the illusion of dancing.

In addition to the CDI3*-W Blainville Dressage International taking place from June 27-30, the Blainville Equestrian Park also plays host to the two-week Blainville Jumping International from July 4-8 and July 11-15. Blainville hosts the longest running World Cup Qualifying events in Canada for both dressage and show jumping.

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 ext. 108, e-mail: classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

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Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Leah Wilson Caledon, ON Dostoevsky 66.741%
2. Leah Wilson Caledon, ON Westside Lady 66.519%
3. Cecile von Martels Ridgetown, ON Downtown 65.630%
4. Brittany Fraser New Glasgow, NS Furio 64.889%
5. Julie Watchorn Schomberg, ON Quintesse 64.370%
6. Danielle McKinnon Aurora, ON Noma Tender 63.704%

Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Lisa von Martels Ridgetown, ON Gtangelo 65.833%
2. Chris von Martels Ridgetown, ON Floris 63.583%
3. Diana Rose United States Daddy Cool 63.333%
4. Lauren Hopper United States Mephisto 63.000%
5. Gina Smith Brockville, ON Frappuccino 63.000%
6. Ester Mortimer Guatemala Key West 62.583%