Oct 06, 2020

Phoenix Shines at Bromont Autumn CCI4*-S

By Bromont - Edited Press Release
Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit. Cealy Tetley Photo.

Lower entries due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and a bit of wet weather leading up to the Bromont CCI-S did nothing to hold back the enthusiasm for this competition. The weather held, autumn colors were stunning, and the competition was friendly between riders who were able to attend from across Ontario and Quebec.

The top spot in the CCI4*-S went to Canadian Olympian, Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, Ontario on Wabbit. The grey 10-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred, Wabbit is owned by Jim Phillips together with Phoenix. This is the first CCI4* win for the horse.

When asked about her winning cross-country ride on Wabbit, Phoenix said, “That was one of his best weekends ever from start to finish,” and “I think Bromont is the hardest four-star short track in North America and he just cantered around it like he had been doing it his whole life, he just made it feel so effortless”. When asked about the October event at Bromont Phoenix said, “I was so incredibly thankful that Bromont took the initiative to run and that they have three dates on the calendar which Canada so incredibly needs.”

Another mount that Phoenix started out on the CCI4* cross-country, Bogue Sound unfortunately had to retire due to a tack issue on course that she could not resolve.

Melissa Boutin and EWSZ Jalado. Cealy Tetley Photo.


Local favorite, Melissa Boutin of Ascot Corner, Quebec on her own EWSZ Jalando (Dudley) finished in second place in this, their first CCI4* with a clear cross-country. The horse is a Canadian bred 11-year-old Zweibrucker gelding.

Speaking after the competition Boutin said, “Thanks so much to Bromont for organizing this show,” and went on to say she, “couldn’t do any of it without Jessica Phoenix’s amazing coaching”.

Asked about her student, Phoenix said, “to see her excel over that course gives you so much hope for the future of Canadian Eventing and makes you so proud as a coach. Melissa has worked so incredibly hard to get her horse to the four-star level“.

Not to be outshone two of Phoenix's other students, Hanna Bundy and Makayla Rydzik also placed second in the CCI-3*-S and CCI2*-S respectively.

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Cealy Tetley Photo.


Top local rider and Canadian Olympian, Colleen Loach of Dunham, Quebec, riding the Hanoverian gelding, FE Golden Eye placed first from start to finish in the CCI3*-S on Saturday. The horse is owned by Loach along with Peter Barry and Amanda Bernhard. FE Golden Eye was Loach's mount at the last Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru.

Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King. Cealy Tetley Photo.


The red ribbon in the CCI2*-S went to Holly Jacks-Smither on her own Candy King, a 10-year-old British-bred gelding. Originally from British Columbia, Holly is based in Hillsburgh, Ontario.

Saffron Klotz and Ballingowan Clarity. Cealy Tetley Photo.


The last division to finish for the day, Open Training was won by 19-year-old Saffron Klotz of Ottawa, Ontario on the bay 17hh. Irish Sport Horse gelding, Ballingowan Clarity (Peanut).

About their win in the Open Training Klotz said, “Peanut and I had an amazing day. I could not be more proud of this 5-year-old.”

A tentative calendar for 2021 is in the works including the usual dates for the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event and Little Bromont in June plus at least one other date at the end of the summer. More information will be posted on the website shortly at https://BromontCCI.com

Three decades of eventing have made Bromont a destination for riders, owners, and families. A place where everyone can enjoy a friendly weekend of competition and the charming rural eastern townships of Quebec.

For more information about this and other Bromont events, visit BromontCCI.com or contact us at [email protected].

The Bromont CCI-S Horse Trials is made possible in part through a contribution from Sport Canada. The Bromont organizing committee also wishes to thank the Government of Quebec, and the City of Bromont for their support.

May 20, 2025

ECP Coach Ashley Johnson: Better Coaching for a Brighter Future

What makes a trainer qualified to coach? Could it be a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard University? A career as a five-star event rider? Being an ‘A’ rated Pony Club graduate? Getting your license as a U.S. Equestrian Federation ‘R’ judge and technical delegate for eventing?

May 19, 2025 Eventing News

MARS Bromont Rising U25 Grant Recipients Announced for 2025 MARS Bromont CCI

The MARS Bromont Rising U25 scholarship program, administered by the USEA Foundation, is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s grant funding for riders aiming to compete in the MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, Canada) taking place June 5-8.

May 19, 2025 Interscholastic

USEA Podcast #387: Flashbacks to the USEA Intercollegiate & IEL Eventing Championships

Were you one of the competitors at this year's USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Eventing Championships? Or do you dream of the day that you can participate yourself? Are you just a huge eventing superfan and love seeing young riders of all ages enjoying the sport? No matter where you fall, you will love this week's episode of the USEA Podcast where we chat with a member of the USEA IEL champion team and the president of this year's Intercollegiate Spirit Award winners, the University of Georgia. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it feels like to participate in one of these championships from Olive Dumais and Katlyn Parker.

May 18, 2025 Education

How to Ride the Horse You Thought You Bought

In this excerpt, trainer and educator Anne Buchannan explains bit contact connection and why it matters for true collection and healthy movement.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shock Wave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA