Charlie Jacobs and Cassinja S (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group)
Madigan was the first to break the 35 second barrier in the jump-off, setting the pace to beat at a clear 32.57 seconds with Farfelu Du Printemps. Mario Deslauriers attempted to catch her time aboard Cherrypop, but fell just short with a clear round in 32.95 seconds.
Leslie Howard was out to take the win from the first jump with Balboa 6, leaving out a stride in the first rollback and racing to the final oxer. With all the rails intact they broke the beam at 31.10 seconds, but their leading time would not hold up for long.
Charlie Jacobs knew that he would not be able to leave a stride out in the first line, but he did race down the second line with Cassinja S, and the risk paid off. They stopped the clock at 30.79 seconds with a faultless effort to lead the victory gallop.
"To come here and have her run like she did, that big stride just eats up so much ground," smiled Jacobs after his win. "I couldn't be happier with her and she's only 9, so I think she has better days ahead hopefully."
This is Jacobs first time competing at International Bromont, and he has been very happy with the experience. "The venue looks fantastic to me," he commented. "I was talking to Roger [Deslauriers] about all the improvements they plan to make for the WEG in 2018 and it sounds like it's only going to get better. What a place!"
Sunday, Jacobs will compete in the CSI3* event's major highlight, the Longines FEI World Cup. It marks the first qualifying event for the new North-American League Starting at 2 :30, equestrian sport fans will be able to view the event on FEITv.
Jacobs will be competing aboard Flaming Star, who just returned from Flasterbo, Sweden, where the talented gelding jumped double clear for the U.S. Show Jumping Team in the Nations Cup competition.
"There is a lot of pressure," admitted Jacobs. "I want to go to Gothenburg and this is where it all starts. I am looking forward to it. There are some really nice horses here, but I am lucky to be sitting on one of them, so hopefully we will have a good day tomorrow."
Francois Lamontagne and Vigo Massuere Master Gamblers Choice
In the afternoon, Quebec's own Francois Lamontagne captured a victory in the International Ring, piloting Vigo Massuere to victory in the Gamblers Choice.
Kaila Robert set the pace to beat as only the second rider in the ring aboard Rojak, chasing down 730 points, as well as clearing the 200 point "joker fence" for a total score of 930. Halfway through the class though, Lamontagne was able to take over the lead with Vigo Massuere. The pair cleared 10 obstacles, all with point values of 90 or higher, and with the addition of a clear joker fence they earned a total of 1080 points.
Jerome David was the only other rider to earn more than 1000 points, finishing on 1030 with Cassano Z to place second. The final rider to tackle the track, Natasha Begin Fry, took over third place from Robert with Evening Rose, earning a total of 990 points, but it was Lamontagne taking home the top honors.
Lamontagne has been coming to International Bromont since he was 9 years old, and he was excited to have a win on such a special mount. "Vigo Massuere is only 6 years old, so I think it was a little crazy to do this class," he noted. "But he's so special and careful that I knew that it was not going to be a problem for him. He's the easiest horse I've ever had."
Results - Modified Grand Prix
1. 745 Cassinja S Jacobs, Charlie 0 penalties 30.79 sec
2. 747 Balboa Howard, Leslie 0 penalties 31.10 sec
3. 213 Farfelu du Printemps Madigan, Julia 0 penalties 32.57 sec
4. 385 Cherrypop Deslauriers, Mario 0 penalties 32.95 sec
5. 238 Cescha M Lapierre, Isabelle 0 penalties 33.08 sec
6. 344 Creativo Leone, Peter 0 penalties 35.69 sec
7. 399 Carlo Cone, Mac 4 penalties 35.01 sec
8. 212 Vintovara Madigan, Julia eliminated
9. 256 Cees Lincourt, Melissandre 4 penalties 74.42 sec
10. 397 Catch The Cloud Cone, Mac 4 penalties 77.62 sec
Results - Gambler's Choice
1. 394 Vigo Massuere Lamontagne, Francois 1080 points 65.24 sec
2. 259 Cassano Z David, Jerome 1030 points 66.57 sec
3. 220 Evening Rose Begin Fry, Natasha 990 points 68.18 sec
4. 372 Rojak Robert, Kaila 930 points 63.22 sec
5. 351 Rockport Thompson, Holly 920 points 61.23 sec
6. 295 Bazinga Ballard, Kennedy 910 points 69.28 sec
7. 417 Cayenne Langevin, Chloe 890 points 66.98 sec
8. 123 Emilionaire Bradshaw, Lindsay 880 points 67.78 sec
9. 362 Fiamo Swain, Jill 830 points 64.68 sec
10. 141 Obrigado Lafontaine, Bianca 830 points 66.22 sec