Bromont, July 22, 2007 – The sun shone bright today and there was excitement in the air at
L’International Bromont. Spectators, riders and organizers alike were ready for the eagerly awaited Grand-Prix BonjourQuébec.com and its $60,000 prize money to be shared by the top
twelve competitors. Judged in accordance with FEI rules, the course, designed by Leopoldo Palacio, was technically challenging with its fourteen 1.6 meter high and 2 meter wide jumps, including a 4,5 meter-wide river and a three jump obstacle that proved difficult for the 23 competitors. Of course, top riders had entered the class, among whom were Canadians Lauren and Jay Hayes, Eliott Stone, Mark Samuel, Frankie Chesler, Éric Lamaze and of course Mario Deslauriers, but French riders Marie Hécart and Yann Candele, and the number one American rider Leslie Burr Howard also competed. Spectators had to wait for the fifteenth rider, 22 year old Canadian rider Kim Farlinger from
Ontario, to see a clear round. After her round,
the tone was set and all present were hoping for a jump-off to determine the winner. Frankie Chesler
was the second rider to complete a clear round. The crowd went wild, especially as the next rider was none other than “Super Mario”, Mario Deslauriers and his mount Paradigm (by Nabab de Reve). Everyone held their breath up to the last jump – clear! Mario would be in the jump-off. Finally, it was Éric Lamaze’s turn to be clear. Éric is a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team for the Pan Am games to be held in Rio
in a few days. Competition between these four Canadian riders would be hot! The 2nd round, or jump-off, determines the winner. On this seven-jump course, riders and their horses must complete the course in record time. Time is of the essence and the stopwatch is of paramount
importance. Again, the first competitor, Kim Farlinger, sets the tone: a clear round in 38.06 seconds. Frankie Chesler, member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team, is even faster with 37.91 seconds, but her horse knocks down a rail. Mario Deslauriers, the crowd cheering wildly as he rides, goes clear in 36.41 seconds ! Éric Lamaze, last to go, throws caution to the winds. His time is excellent at 36.10, but he too drops a rail and is relegated to third place.

Result CSI**International Bromont 2007 - Grand Prix BonjourQuebec
1 Mario Deslauriers – Paradigm 0/0 36’41
2 Kim Farlinger – Cordoba : 0/0 38’06
3 Eric Lamaze – Narcotique de Muze II 0/4 36’10
4 Frankie Chesler-Ortiz – Ranville 0/4 37’91
5 Marie Hécart – Tyra
6 Amy Millar – Costa Rica Z
7 Courtney Vince – Nalla

photo : Mario Deslauriers et Paradigm