Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Abby Powell.
As Canada’s premiere FEI horse trial, the MARS Equestrian Bromont CCI is a can’t miss event for riders and spectators alike. Team EN is only two and a half weeks away from touching down in Canada to bring you all the action you crave, not that we’re counting. (We’re totally counting!) There’s something for everyone at Bromont, whether you want to stick strictly to the horse park or would like to explore the scenic Eastern Townships outside of Montreal. But before I get to filling you in on the dog agility course and a brewery in an old train station, let’s talk details.
Head down to the jog strip on June 5th at 3pm for the official kick off of the weekend: the first horse inspection. On June 6th and 7th, watch the horses dance across the boards in the dressage ring before the real excitement begins on June 8th. Cross country kicks off on Saturday morning, with the best of the best tackling Bromont’s CCI4*-L course, totalling 5700 meters (three-and-a-half miles for us Americans), designed by Derek di Grazia. On Sunday, we’ll have our final, and arguably most exciting, horse inspection before show jumping.
Friends and competitors: Boyd Martin on Asti’s Charming and Phillip Dutton on Fernhill Shutterfly. Photo by Abby Powell.
What also makes Bromont CCI an event like no other is the inclusion of the Bromont Rising Program. This program is designed to support young riders 25 and under as they strive to develop careers as professional riders. Supporting the future generation of eventers is crucial for the longevity of the sport. To that end, this program distributes up to 10 grants of $2500 each to deserving young riders to offset the costs of travel and entry fees. Riders will also have unique educational opportunities, including learning from cross country course designer Derek DiGrazia, a “centreline workshop” dressage test analysis with FEI 5* judge Peter Gray, and a cross country course walk with returning guest coach Bettina Hoy. Meet the riders accepted into this year’s Bromont Rising Program here.
You can’t be an eventing fan without also owning a dog, it’s basically a requirement. The organizers at MARS Bromont CCI get it. The Dog Agility Course has returned for another year! While the horses are pounding down the cross country course on Saturday, your dog can tackle some obstacles of their own. Dog demos including agility, frisbee, and freestyle start at 15:00 EST. There will also be a dog parade, so be sure to bring your favorite costume! Special guests include Sandra Lallier and Daniel Lusignan, international medalists of Cani-Cross, as well as guests from the Leski Foundation, Royal Canin and Eukanuba, and of course, lots of TREATS for your pooch.
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol HIM. Photo by Abby Powell.
The Vendor Row will have something for everyone this year, from saddles to fashion. Vendors include well-known favorites like Ecogold, Devoucoux, Voltaire, and Buckeye, along with Canadian-based companies like Hoof Doctor x Equine One and LouRi & Co, among others. Food vendors include Delices Gourmands and Julius Cafe, offering sweet treats and most importantly, coffee. Find a full list of vendors on Bromont’s Facebook page.
Near the horse park, you’ll be able to explore the beautiful majesty of the surrounding mountains and the quaint towns in the Eastern Townships outside of Montreal. If you’d like to grab something to drink after a long day at the show, check out Hop Station, a microbrewery operating out of a vintage train station. They offer great beers and easy eats, like quesadillas. If you’re looking for something quite a bit fancier, enjoy the atmosphere at Maison Boire. Using only local and seasonal ingredients, Maison Boire specializes in creating unique dishes that are sustainably sourced. Finally, if you’re looking for an experience more than a meal, dine aboard the Grand Cru, a luxury yacht that cruises through Lake Memphremagog, offering scenic views you can’t find anywhere else.
Everyone will love the addition of fun canine activities including agility, a dog parade
and Cani-Cross demonstrations, beginning at 3:00pm Saturday, June 8. © Tom von Kapherr Photo
Are you feeling the FOMO now? Don’t worry, you can still feel like you’re at the horse park with us thanks to live streams available on YouTube and Horse & Country. The MARS Bromont CCI will be live streaming for free on Horse & Country; stay tuned for more details here. It will also be live streamed via the Bromont Horse Trials Youtube channel, as well as the RNS Video Media Youtube channel.
Whether you’re watching from afar or standing by the sidelines at the horse park, you’ll want to stay up to date on a few important links, like the live scores, the schedule, and Eventing Nation’s coverage. Find all the important shortcuts below.
MARS Bromont CCI: [Website] [Entries/Schedule] [Volunteer] [Sponsorship]
