For the second day in a row, it was American Chris Kappler who stood in the winner's circle at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International on Thursday, July 6. The international show jumping competition took place from July 5-9 at the Blainville Equestrian Park in Blainville, Quebec, Canada.

Having claimed the win on Wednesday, June 5, riding VDL Maseratie, Kappler brought VDL Oranta out of the barn for the July 6 victory in the Open Jumper-Power and Speed. Only two riders managed to go clear over the first round course set by course designer Conrad Homfeld. Kappler went first, posting another clear round over the shortened jump-off course in a time of 39.47 seconds. Roberto Teran, a native of Colombia who rides for KingRidge Stables of King, Ontario, took his shot riding the 14-year-old Westphalian stallion, Polyfax, but a rail down at the second-last obstacle dashed his chances of victory.

Time faults kept two riders from moving forward to the jump-off. Chris Pratt of Belfountain, Ontario, exceeded the time allowed by less than a second to place third riding Rivendell, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Susan Grange. In August, Pratt and Rivendell will represent Canada at the World Championships in Aachen, Germany. American competitor Eric Hasbrouck suffered the same fate when the timers showed that he had failed to navigate the course in the requisite 56 seconds, placing him fourth with Lavaletta.

With the fastest four-fault effort, Amy Millar of Perth, Ontario, placed fifth riding Sweet Dreams, a 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding.

One of the longest running international equestrian competitions in all of Canada, the 18th Blainville Jumping International saw over 700 horses competing for more than $170,000 in prize money. For more information, please visit www.classiqueblainville.com or contact Blainville International at (450) 434-8202, ext. 108, or e-mail [email protected].


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