Jacqueline Brooks and Gran Gesto won the Grand Prix at the CDI3*-W Blainville Dressage International taking place June 27-30 in Blainville, Quebec. Photo by Cealy Tetley

June 28, 2007 – Blainville, Quebec – Jacqueline Brooks won the Grand Prix on Thursday at the CDI3*-W Blainville Dressage International taking place June 27-30 at the Blainville Equestrian Park, located north of Montreal, QC.

Hot off her win one week earlier at CDI3*-W Ottawa Summer Dressage Classic, Brooks of Mount Albert, ON, faced some stiff new competitors at Blainville including 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalists Cindy Ishoy and Ashley Holzer. The big-name competition only seemed to motivate her further as Brooks rode a brave and dynamic test with Gran Gesto, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Anne Welch and Brinc Ltd. In spite of making an uncharacteristic error by going off-course, Brooks still earned the winning score of 67.333%. Four years ago, Brooks and Gran Gesto were members of Canada's Silver Medal Team at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Ishoy of Binbrook, ON, located near Hamilton, placed a close second with a score of 66.792%. Ishoy's consistent ride with Proton, her 13-year-old Baden Wurttemberger gelding, was highlighted by a world-class extended walk, energetic extended trot, and well-balanced and precise canter pirouettes.

Holzer, a Toronto native who now makes her home in New York City, made the short trip north with her horse, Pop Art, as well as several of her students. While Pop Art displayed excellent passage, the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was not co-operative when it came time to perform his piaffe, an elevated trot on the spot. The final score of 66.375% put the duo in third position.

Tina Busse-Irwin of Lakefield, ON, took fourth place riding Amicelli, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding by the thoroughbred stallion, Amigo xx. Nova Scotia native Cheryl Meisner and Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON, both received a score of 62.417% from the panel of international judges with the tie being broken in favour of Meisner, who had higher collective marks riding Paganini, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Lobster Point Farms.

In the FEI Young Rider division, Leah Wilson of Caledon, ON, was the winner for the second day in a row riding her Russian Warmblood gelding, Dostoevsky. The pair earned 66.583% to stay ahead of Brittany Fraser of New Glasgow, NS, who scored 64.000% riding Furio.

Jade Deter of Kemptville, ON, also came out on top for the second consecutive day in the FEI Junior division. Featuring riders aged 14-18, Deter and Mastermind, her 10-year-old Westphalian gelding, had the winning score of 65.333%. Annie-Pier Venne of L'Assomption, QC, and Step Up finished runner-up with 63.167%. Another Quebec native, Tatianna Turcotte of Mount Royal continued to dominate the FEI Pony division, winning the Individual test riding her Connemara pony, Serenity's Dream On.

In the Prix St. Georges, held as part of the CDI3*-W division sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Jacqueline Brooks emerged victorious with Balmoral, an eight-year-old Canadian-bred gelding. Although she was one of the unlucky few who competed during a downpour as a strong storm moved through the area, Brooks did not let it disturb her concentration. Her score of 70.950% placed her firmly at the top of the 23-horse field.

Neil Ishoy came the closest to beating Brooks, earning 69.550% riding Lone Star. An eight-year-old Hannoverian gelding by the well-known thoroughbred sire, Laurie's Crusador xx, Lone Star's impressive trot work had two judges from the five-member panel placing him first.

Quebec's Linda Robert of Terrebonne took third place with an impressive performance riding Wedding Surprise, owned by Daniel Barolet of Rosemere, QC. A 14-year-old black Hannoverian gelding, Wedding Surprise carried Robert to a final score of 68.050% to stay ahead of Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, who earned 67.700% riding Grand Marnier, a 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by her husband, Mark Trussell. Rounding out the top five was Daphne Haagmans of Barrie, ON, who earned 66.050% riding Nimos, her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

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 in front of thousands of spectators to music that they have selected for themselves, thereby 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. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Gran Gesto 67.333%
2. Cindy Ishoy Binbrook, ON Proton 66.792%
3. Ashley Holzer New York, NY Pop Art 66.375%
4. Tina Busse-Irwin Lakefield, ON Amicelli 63.250%
5. Cheryl Meisner Blandford, NS Paganini 62.417%
6. Nancy MacLachlan Terra Cotta, ON Ariston 62.417%
7. Victoria Winter Oakville, ON Gotcha 54.833%


Rider Hometown Horse Score
1. Jacqueline Brooks Mount Albert, ON Balmoral 70.950%
2. Neil Ishoy Binbrook, ON Lone Star 69.550%
3. Linda Robert Terrebonne, QC Wedding Surprise 68.050%
4. Belinda Trussell Stouffville, ON Grand Marnier 67.700%
5. Daphne Haagmans Barrie, ON Nimos 66.050%
6. Jaimey Irwin Lakefield, ON Dover 65.000%
7. Tom Noone United States Just for Fun 13 65.000%
8. Chris Sanders Port Stanley, ON Van Gogh 64.950%
9. Tom Noone United States Incognito 64.550%
10. Ute Busse Breslau, ON Maximus 64.350%
11. Liz Steacie Brockville, ON Mikayla 63.450%
12. Ruth Crawford Brockville, ON Sambuka 62.950%