United States Eventing Association

Two- and Three-Star Riders Take Center Stage at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont CCI Three-Day Event

Four sections got their chance in the dressage arena today at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont CCI Three-Day Event in Bromont, Quebec. The CCI2*-L U25, which was the first section to complete dressage, saw Michael Pendleton (USA) move into the lead on a score of 30.30 riding Boyd Martin and Stephen Blauner’s 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Carlsburg (Puissance x Flame and Passion).

Speaking about his ride Pendelton said “He's just such a professional. He was a little bit wild when we got here on Monday, and I could hardly hack him down the hacking path. Then yesterday when I took him in the ring for familiarization, he went straight to business. He knew when I got on him this morning that we were going to the test.”

Pendelton who rides with Boyd Martin has been selected to be a part of the Bromont Rising Grant program this year had only great things to say about this opportunity “It's been good to have so much help all week. When Pendelton is busy I can be off on my own a little bit, so it's been nice to have a lesson with each ride and have a strategy. It would be awesome to see more events doing this.”

The Bromont Rising Grant Program awarded riders $3,000 CAN as well as coaching and talks from top riders including Doug Payne, Kerry Milliken, Boyd Martin, Jessica Phoenix, and Peter Gray. More details are available at this link.

Elinor O'Neal (USA) on Zick Zack, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Blue Hors Zack x Mercedes), owned by Sally Cox finished the day with a score of 27.0 to lead a field of 24 horse and rider combinations in the CCI3*-L.

Watch O'Neal's test thanks to David Frechette:

It has been about seven years since O’Neal last rode at Bromont. When asked what it is like being back she said “It’s great, I really love this event. I think it is a really good test for horses at this level."

Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Get Gaudi (Alicante HBC x Second Floor), owned by Jacqueline Mars lead the CCI2*-L section. Finishing the day with a penalty score of 28.4.

Watch Kieffer's test thanks to David Frechette:

Following her test, Kieffer said, "I'm really happy with Gaudi, she's a lovely mare that Mrs. Mars picked out a few years ago at a competition and when Matt Flynn offered her for sale the year after that we jumped on it. We've been slow producing her, she's always been super flashy, but she's such a lanky powerhouse, and quite careful, so I thought there was the risk of her jumping herself into trouble until she got stronger and didn't want her to develop any baggage. Luckily Mrs. Mars is very patient with the development of the young ones and she's really come out this year a real competitor. I'm very excited about her and her future."

The CCI3*-L U25 section, the final section of the day, saw Fort Worth, Texas native, Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Oskar take the lead on a 25.7. The 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Coriando x Nicole) is owned by the rider and Julie Phillips.

Asked about her dressage test today Phillips said "He was really good. It was probably the best work, overall. He's really coming up more through his shoulders in the trot work. In the canter work, he's really sitting down now, which has taken a long time to build his strength up to that [point]. There were a couple [of] bobbles here and there, but to still get the score that he did means we are on the right track. He loves performing; he's a great boy, and I'm really proud of him. I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend."

Watch Phillips' test thanks to David Frechette:

Dressage resumes Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. in ring 2, the MARS Petcare arena, with the current US Equestrian 5* National Champion, Boyd Martin (USA) riding Luke 140 in the CCI3*-S section. At 9:30 a.m. in ring 1, the MARS EQUESTRIAN arena, the CCI4*-L gets underway with the first horse and rider combination of Buck Davidson (USA) and Copper Beach.

Bromont is the second stop on the USEF/USET Foundation North American Futures Team Challenge. The Team Challenge was announced during the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention last December as part of U.S. eventing’s strategic plan, spearheaded by Erik Duvander, U.S. Eventing Director of High Performance. The new program looks to create a “culture of competitiveness” and provide a more clearly defined pathway for eventing athletes in the United States.

Results from day one of the Team Challenge:

First: Team Leslie - 88.5
Alyssa Phillips and Oskar - 25.7 (1st - CCI3*-L U25)
Alexandra Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz - 28.8 (2nd - CCI3*-L U25)
Cosby Green and Highly Suspicious - 34.0 (10th - CCI3*-L U25)
Mallory Hogan and Clarissa Purisima - 38.9 (16thT - CCI3*-L U25)

Second: Team Erik - 92.7
Alexandra Knowles and Business Class - 28.7 (3rd - CCI3*-L)
Kylie Lyman and Xuanatu - 31.9 (11th - CCI3*-L)
Kimmy Cecere and Landmark's Monaco - 32.1 (12thT - CCI3*-L)
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire - 32.1 (12thT - CCI3*-L)

The Bromont CCI Three Day Event is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The Bromont organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement Supérieur, and the City of Bromont for their support of this year’s event.

Helpful Links

• Bromont CCI Website
• Omnibus Listing
• Entry Status
• Ride Times
• Live Scores
• Schedule
• Fast Facts

About Bromont CCI

Bromont CCI, which has featured top competition for three decades, will be welcoming some of the best horse-and-rider combinations from all over North America in CCI4*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-L-U25, and CCI3*-L-U25 divisions. Bromont stands alone as the only venue in Canada which offers a CCI4*-L level competition.

About MARS EQUESTRIAN

MARS EQUESTRIAN™, a sponsorship division within MARS INCORPORATED, is the link between the iconic brand and the equestrian community. For generations, MARS has celebrated a rich equestrian heritage, and through purposeful partnerships, MARS EQUESTRIAN is committed to the sport and building an enduring legacy. From world-class competitions across all equestrian disciplines to stewarding the power of horses on society and sustainability, MARS EQUESTRIAN is dedicated to the purpose of improving the lives of horses, pets, and the people who love them. MARS EQUESTRIAN is proud to support the Bromont CCI Three-Day Event.