July 14, 2007 – Blainville, Quebec – In an exciting three-horse jump-off, last proved to be best as Eric Hasbrouck of the United States sped to victory in the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix on Saturday at the CSI2* Blainville Jumping International held July 11 to 15 in Blainville, Quebec.

Only three members of the starting field were able to jump clear over the testing course designed by Luc Musette of Belgium. As the first rider on course, Hyde Moffatt of Brantford, ON, left all the rails in place riding Denver, an eight-year-old Trakehner gelding. It looked like the 28-year-old might be jumping off against himself when he also guided Atlanta Van de Padenborre, a seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, to a clear round. American Eric Hasbrouck had other plans, however, and jumped clear with Sondrio to join Moffatt in the jump-off.

Moffatt set out first with Denver, guiding the horse to a clear round in a time of 51.74 seconds over the shortened jump-off course. He then returned to the ring with Atlanta Van de Padenborre in an attempt to better his own time, but a fallen rail mid-way round the course left him with four faults in a time of 52.27 seconds. Mark Hayes owns both horses.

Hasbrouck had the advantage of knowing exactly what needed to be done to secure the victory, and he accomplished it with a clear round in a time of 51.08 seconds to edge ahead of Moffatt for the win, claiming $7,500 in prize money along the way.

"Going last in the jump-off is a nice place to be, it is very luxurious to know what you have to do, even though that doesn't always make it easy," reflected Hasbrouck who had imported his horse, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, in November. "The course was lovely, the course designer is very good, and he built for the level of the class."

It was the second time that Hasbrouck had competed at the Blainville Equestrian Park, having also made the trip across the border last year.

"I have young horses and young people to train, so it is great to come to Blainville," noted Hasbrouck who hails from North Salem, NY, and brought 10 horses with him to Blainville. "It is only a six hour drive from home, the people here are wonderful, and they always do what is in the best interest of the horses, which is nice."

As for Moffatt, the fact that he had two horses in the jump-off was an incredible achievement considering that he had had an emergency appendectomy surgery 12 days earlier. He began riding again on Thursday, and made a speed recovery for Saturday's competition. With two horses competing against each other in the jump-off, Moffatt revealed that he expected Denver to be the better performer and his prediction proved correct.

"I had to give the edge to Denver based on his experience, he has jumped at this level for the past year," noted Moffatt. "In the jump-off, I was a little concerned about the first line and that was probably the difference in time between myself and Eric. Both of my horses jumped well, especially Atlanta who felt unbelievable. It was quite a large track for him at this stage in his development."

New York native Darren Graziano had four faults with his eight-year-old Holsteiner mare, Aspen Extreme, to place fourth while Quebec's own Melissa Marcotte of St-Nicholas also had a rail with her 10-year-old grey mare, Callida.

The two-week Blainville Jumping International concludes on Sunday at 2 p.m. with the $50,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Blainville.

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 Faults Time
1. Eric Hasbrouck United States Sondrio 0:0 51.08
2. Hyde Moffatt Brantford, ON Denver 0:0 51.74
3. Hyde Moffatt Brantford, ON Atlanta van de Padenborre 0:4 52.27
4. Darren Graziano United States Aspen Extreme 4
5. Melissa Marcotte St-Nicholas, QC Callida 4
6. Holly Mitten United States Filipe 5
7. Vicky Castergren United States Kiana 8
8. Mark Samuel Toronto, ON Wembley 234 8
9. James North United States Paramount 12
10 Isabelle Lapierre Breakyville, QC V. Wellie 65 Z 12