We are set to get underway with competition at one of the key North American CCI4* events: the MARS Bromont CCI, set in the absolutely gorgeous city of Bromont to the east of Montreal, Quebec. This is a former Olympic equestrian site (1976), and the area’s rich history is evident throughout the grounds.
There are two 4* divisions competing this weekend, a CCI4*-L and a CCI4*-S. Many riders will use the 4*-L division here as a preparation for horses they hope will eventually step up to the 5* level, and it’s a great test over a true Derek di Grazia track ahead of next year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event.
The EN team is proud to be assisting the MARS Bromont CCI team on the ground this weekend with promotion and social media support. Stay tuned for much more, and be sure you’re following @bromontcci and @goeventing on Instagram for the latest.
We’ll kick off competition tomorrow with dressage. The 4*L division will ride their tests tomorrow afternoon, the 4*S riders will do their tests on Friday afternoon. We also have a full slate of action for the MARS Bromont Rising program, which provides ample opportunity for a group of selected young riders – competing in U25 sections of the 3*L and 2*L – to obtain coaching and mentorship from program directors Peter Gray and Bettina Hoy.
For now, dive right into our Form Guide to the horses and riders competing in the two 4* divisions. Enjoy, and Go Eventing!
Want to jump straight to your favorite horse and rider? Click the links below to jump to their section (the combinations are listed below in alphabetical order by last name; sections in alphabetical order by country and last name):
CCI4*-L
Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times (USA)
Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant (CAN)
Phillip Dutton and Azure (USA)
Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124 (USA)
Ariel Grald and Diara (USA)
Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly (USA)
Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus (USA)
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M (USA)
Jennie Jarnstrom Dennis and Flower Girl (SWE)
Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay (CAN)
Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom (USA)
Kendal Lehari and Audacious (CAN)
Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX (USA)
Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Isla GS (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent (CAN)
Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (CAN)
Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight (AUS)
CCI4*-S
Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS (CAN)
Phillip Dutton and Z (USA)
Colleen Loach and Vermont (CAN)
Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack (USA)
Boyd Martin and On Cue (USA)
Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando (USA)
– – – – –
CCI4*-L
AUSTRALIA
Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight (AUS)
Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Plot Blue – Making Moments, by Laughton’s Flight). Owned by Linda Ledray and Ryan Wood.
Five-star Australian event rider Ryan Wood has had a rich eventing career, having been competing at the FEI level since 2002. Ryan hasn’t had the ride on the imported Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Flight, for very long; the pair first started competing together in 2021. The 2023 MARS Bromont Horse Trial marks Cooley Flight’s tenth FEI competition, all completed with rider Ryan Wood, and his third go around at Bromont.
Historically, Ryan and Cooley Flight have placed well at Canada’s premiere eventing venue. In June of 2022, the pair earned third place with a score of 58.1. Note, we’re discounting Ryan’s pre-cross country withdrawal from the 2022 FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Bromont, as Ryan withdrew due to coming down with an ill-timed stomach flu and not for riding-related reasons.
Cooley Flight is a jumping machine. Despite his short FEI career, he’s had some impressive results, including a double clear ride at the Morven Park CCI4*-L in October of last year that earned him fifth place in a very competitive lineup. The Irish Sport Horse has had zero cross country obstacle penalties in his FEI career and tends to come in between five and 15 seconds outside the time. Dressage scores for the pair tend to range in the mid-thirties. If Ryan chooses to push for the time on cross country, Ryan and Cooley Flight could have a shot at the top ten, which would be a fitting finish for their tenth FEI competition together. Keep your fingers crossed that Ryan has an iron stomach this year!
CANADA
Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant (CAN)
Twelve-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Colonel John – Absolutely Lovely, by Silver Ghost). Owned by Juliana Hansen.
After starting her FEI career with owner Juliana Hansen in the CIC1* in Bromont in 2018, Lovely Assistant became the ride for Canadian Hanna Bundy in 2019. Although Hanna has had previous FEI experience on rides Exquisite and D’Jion through the 2* level, Hanna piloted Lovely Assistant around both of their first 3* competitions at Bromont in 2020 where the pair finished in second place.
Since then, the duo contested at the 3*S and 3*L levels throughout the 2020 and 2021 seasons, then moving up to the 4*S in 2022. They have completed four 4*S events so far, most recently at Kentucky this April, where they added 16.4 time penalties to their dressage score of 41.8 to finish in 21st on a 58.2.
While their dressage scores hover in the low-mid 40s, this duo impressively has not seen a cross country jump penalty on their record. However, some cross country time and a rail or two could be expected. With Bromont being their first 4*L competition, keep an eye on these cross country superstars to see how they tackle the course!
Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay. Photo by Abby Powell.
Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay (CAN)
Fourteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (unknown breeding). Owned by Jamie Kellock.
2022 was a whirlwind year for Jamie and “Quinn,” who was originally produced by Clark Montgomery. A second place finish in the Tryon CCI4*-S kicked things off before the pair were named to their first Nations Cup team in August. Their biggest triumph came from their overseas journey to the Blenheim Palace CCI4*-L in England.
Blenheim was their first trip across the pond and they gained invaluable education all the way. They finished 50th, but their only faults were time across the country and one rail down on the final day. This effort landed them on the 2023 Equestrian Canada Eventing National Team Development Squad as the cherry on top of their unforgettable year.
This is their second season at the four-star level. Here in Bromont last year, they nabbed 8th place, and they’ll be trying to match or improve that effort. We can expect a dressage score in the high 30s to low 40s, and will probably choose time faults over risks on cross country for a most successful trip.
Kendal Lehari and Audacious. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Kendal Lehari and Audacious (CAN)
Ten-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding (Ironman – Megan’s Mayflower xx, by Rumlum Star xx). Owned by Kenal, Gwen, and Rein Lehari.
While Uxbridge, Ontario native Kendal Lehari has been an international level rider for many years – she completed her first FEI event here at Bromont in 2005 prior to representing Canada at Young Riders the following year – it’s been this talented young gray that’s helped propel her to the very upper echelons of eventing. This all-Canadian pair are ready to take their first crack at Bromont’s marquee class this year.
Initially intended to be a resale horse, Kendal purchased Audacious directly from his breeder, Carolyn Baird, as a three-year-old. However, the pair quickly bonded and “Junior” never left her stable. Kendal has been the gelding’s sole rider and rapidly became one of her top prospects.
Kendal and Junior won the CCI3*-S division at this event in 2021 and returned the following year to step up to the 4*-S. After a third place finish in their first four-star appearance, the Ontario native and her Ontario-bred gelding were named to their first Canadian national team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Canada CCIO4*-S here later last summer, where they finished 8th overall after adding just cross country time to their dressage score to help Team Canada clinch second place.
Kendal and Junior have tried their hand at the 4*-L level twice before but are still looking for their first completion. They made their first attempt at the level at Morven Park last fall where they retired on cross country and then tried again later that season at Tryon where they were sadly eliminated at the first horse inspection. Mostly recently however, they are coming off a big second place finish in the Ocala International Festival of Eventing CCI4*-S this April.
Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (CAN). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (CAN)
Eleven-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Goldfever – Cascade, by Contendro). Owned by Peter Berry, Amanda Bernhard, and the rider.
After being imported as a four-year-old by Fredericks Equestrian International, this compact bay gelding was quickly spotted by Colleen Loach, who was an assistant rider there at the time. Colleen proceeded to “hide away” the young horse from prospective buyers until she found the funds to purchase him, and after winning his Five-Year-Old YEH class, “Goldie” stepped up to the international ring in 2018, where he finished seventh in the CCI1* at Bromont. There are actually several “FE” horses taking the field this weekend at Bromont: fellow Canadian Dana Cooke’s two horses in the CCI3*-L, Hugh Wrigley’s 2* horse for Australia, and USA’s sister pair Benita and Lucia Strini’s 2* and 3* mounts.
After just six international competitions together, the two-time Olympian brought Goldie with her to the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where they took 20th individually and earned a Team Bronze for Canada. Colleen and Goldie have since cleaned up across the board in both Canada and the US, with just five of his 23 completions falling out of the top 20, most recently winning at the Intermediate level at Pine Top this Spring. A nearly spotless show jumping record has seemingly brought the pair to begin dabbling in pure show jumping this year – Colleen and Goldie took the win in the 1.35-1.40m National Grand Prix here at Bromont in May, after scoring 11th place in another Grand Prix at Live Oak this spring.
Goldie has quite the impressive record at Bromont since his international debut, taking first place in Bromont’s 3*-S in 2020, second place in 2021’s 3*-S, and third place in the Nation’s Cup CCIO4*-S this past August. If this pattern is to repeat itself, we could be looking at yet another top ten finish at the 4* level – and if this pair takes fourth place this weekend, making a lovely one-two-three-four combo, those numbers will allow me to die happy.
While we’re looking at patterns, Goldie has been in and out of the top ten almost every other show for the last two years – five out of his last nine events, with 12 overall top-ten placings since 2018. After a cross country refusal dropped them to 28th place in the Land Rover Kentucky 5* in April, they’re due for another highly competitive score here on their home turf.
Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS (CAN)
Twelve-year-old Canadian Trakehner gelding (Humble GS – Woodstock GS, by Voltaire Pref). Owned by Rider and Charlotte Schickedanz.
The 12-year-old Watson GS has loads of experience at the 4* level at this point, having made his debut at the 4*L level in 2019 at Fair Hill with Canadian multi-Olympian Jessie Phoenix. He and Jessie have been partnered since the outset of his international career, and most recently the Canadian Trakehner gelding finished inside the top 20 at the Lexington CCI4*-S.
It’s a bit of a family affair for Jessie this week in terms of her horses: Watson GS, Freedom GS, and Isla GS are all by the stallion Humble GS, with whom Jessie competed through the 4* level. You can read more about his seriously impressive breeding career here.
Jessica Phoenix and Isla GS. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Jessica Phoenix and Isla GS (CAN)
11-year-old Trakehner mare (Humble GS – St.Pr.u.Pr.St. Iselle, by Sir Chamberlain). Owned by Charlotte Schickedanz.
Isla GS is a newer horse to this level, with just one 4* start under her belt to date. She’s got two 4*-S starts on her record this season and will be looking for experience and mileage in this first 4*-L run. Isla GS, who is 11 this year, has also competed in pure show jumping with Jessie, who’s a bit of a Jill-of-all-trades on a horse. Isla started off as a sales horse in Jessie’s program, and she quickly showed her prowess for the sport and has found herself a spot on the Phoenix string moving forward.
Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS (CAN)
11-year-old Oldenburg mare (Humble GS – Friedel GS, by Fidertanz). Owned by Charlotte Schickedanz.
Another lightly-campaigned partner of Jessie’s, Freedom GS, is also contesting her first 4*L this weekend at Bromont. This 11-year-old mare also sired by Watson GS won the 3*-L at Virginia in 2022, finishing very nearly on her dressage mark save a few seconds of time on cross country. A low-to-mid 30s dressage mark may not yield a top spot on the board after Thursday’s dressage, but this galloping track could suit this mare quite well to make some jigs and jumps up in the standings after the jumping phases.
Jessie Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent (CAN)
Fifteen-year-old Canadian Sporthorse mare (Gaudi – Amelia II, by Ali Baba). Owned by Makayla Rydzik.
You won’t miss this aptly-named Canadian Sporthorse mare, whose splashy piebald color is eye-catching to say the least. Fluorescent Adolescent comes to Bromont also as a 4*L debutant, having most recently finished in the top 25 at the Lexington 4*S in Kentucky. Jessie is riding for owner Makayla Rydzik, who campaigned this mare herself through the 3* level before handing over the reins. This is one who won’t necessarily be in contention for the top prize after the first phase, and it’s probably a safe bet to think Jessie will prioritize education and confidence over competitiveness this weekend — but this is Jessie Phoenix: Ironwoman™, we’re speaking of here so we know if there is time to be made up safely out there on Saturday, you can leave it to her to get it done.
Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (CAN)
Twelve-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Mylord Carthago – Lelia, by Clyde de la Combe). Owned by Patricia Pearce.
There’s a certain amount of confidence that comes from bringing a horse through the levels. Combine that experience with a facility who’s running seems to really suit your horse, and your weekend might just be ‘Dreamy’.
Lindsey got Dreamy as a four year old, and while he was originally bought as a project, the rest of the sale horses got sold off and the promising Selle Francais gelding stuck around. They return to Bromont after finishing reserve to Jennie Saville and Twighlightslastgleam here last year. Dreamy ran his first 4*-S here in 2021, and really seems to enjoy the low key atmosphere of the event.
They followed up their 2022 second place finish with another second place finish at the CCI3*S at River Glen last summer. They’ve started this spring with a handful of successful CCI4*S runs, including a respectable 17th place finish at the hotly contested CCI4*S at Land Rover Kentucky.
Show jumping has always been a bit tough for this gelding who is built to run and jump, but he’s maturing into a seasoned four star competitor. Lindsey will use their experience to keep the colored poles up and fight to best their result from last year.
SWEDEN
Jennie Jarnstrom Dennis and Flower Girl. Photo by Al Green Photo.
Jennie Jarnstrom Dennis and Flower Girl (SWE)
Eleven-year-old American Hanoverian mare (Futurist – Lucy, by Romino). Owned by the rider.
Florida-based Swedish rider Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis comes to Bromont with her own Flower Girl. In order to spend time producing a more competitive ride, Jennie decided to stick to CCI 4*-S competitions with the mare during the 2022 season, with three runs and one completion. They came back with a bang in 2023, finishing 14th in the 4*-S in Myakka City, Florida, where they added just 16 cross country time penalties to their dressage of 33.4. Three weeks later they took third in the 4*-S in Ocala, with a dressage of 33.9, just 4.4 penalties cross country and one pole in the show jumping. In their only 4*-L run since May 2021, at Tryon a couple of weeks ago, they were eliminated on the cross country.
Flower Girl is yet to go sub-30 in the first phase, but she’s been mighty close, posting a 30.1 in the 4*-S at Stable View in 2021. All in all, she’s generally a low to mid-30s kind of gal. With 13 completions from 17 FEI starts, she has cross country penalties on her record on just three occasions. We have to go back to 2019 and a 2*-L to find a double clear on cross country day, but having said that, the pair delivered the fastest round of the day in the inaugural 4*-S at The Event at TerraNova in 2021. They’ve jumped clear over the colored poles in six of their 15 attempts, but when they don’t, more often than not they keep it to just one pole down. There’s a smidge of a time penalty here and there in the show jumping too.
Jennie’ll be hoping to put their elimination at Tryon well behind them and focus on the great form they showed at Ocala as they take on Bromont.
UNITED STATES
Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times (USA)
Fifteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Goodtimes – Alino Queen, by Michellino). Owned by Christina Aharoni.
Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times return to Bromont to contest the spring CCI4*-L for the second year in the row, having finished tenth in this division last year. Later in 2022 they returned to complete as individuals in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Canada CCIO4*-S held that summer, where they also finished tenth.
Arielle and Dutch share a unique partnership, having known each other essentially for the gelding’s whole life – Arielle’s mother, Christina, purchased the horse before he was even foaled. While Arille learned to event through Training level on a pony, Dutch Times was ridden under the tutelage of Tik Maynard and campaigned through the CCI3*-S level. Arielle took over the ride aboard Dutch in 2016. The now 23-year-old rider and 15-year-old horse have since contested 19 4* events together, most recently completing the Lexington CCI4*-S this past April where they finished 16th overall after adding just cross country time penalties to their dressage score. And it may not be a 4*, but most most recently they clinched a podium finish and placed third at the $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing just the other week.
At this level this pair generally scores in the mid-to-high thirties or low forties in the dressage and has yet to make the time across country, but watch for them to make their mark on the final day with a clear show jumping round. Arielle and Dutch dabble in FEI show jumping alongside their upper-level eventing, as Arielle seeks to contest a Grand Prix someday.
Phillip Dutton and Azure. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Phillip Dutton and Azure (USA)
Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Omar – Cavalier Roselier, by Cavalier Royale). Owned by Anne, Caroline, and Michael Moran.
A relatively new addition to Phillip’s string, having made her first US start in January 2022, it may seem like this stunning gray mare appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Bred and produced by Irish rider Elizabeth Powell, Azure had already competed to the CCI4*-L level in Europe before making the trip across the pond to join Phillip’s string.
Under his experienced guidance the pair certainly hit the ground running, placing in the top five at the 2022 Red Hills CCI4*S and the 2022 Tryon CCI4*L. Their latest outing was in the CCI4*S this April at Kentucky, where they added just one rail and one time penalty to their dressage score to finish seventh.
While dressage is not Azure’s best phase, she is a cross country machine, and together with Phillip this duo has yet to log a single XC penalty. She might not love her time in the sandbox, but if you’re looking for a horse that has the potential to deliver a penalty-free cross country round, Azure has to be a top pick.
Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124 (USA)
Twelve-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Fuerst Nymphenburg – Amaterasu, by Amerigo Vespucci xx). Owned by Annie Eldridge.
If I had to pick a favorite Ariel Grald horse at the moment, my nod would go to Forrest Gump 124 (and yes, I know there are plenty to challenge this title!). This quirky guy owned by Annie Eldridge is one Ariel will tell you has taken some time to get to know, and for good reason: historically, Ariel will take a horse in its younger years and place her own stamp on the training process. Forrest Gump came to Ariel already an established international eventer with experience through the 3* level with Great Britain’s Tom Jackson.
Because of this amount of experience, Ariel describes her partnership with the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding as a veritable work in progress, learning his quirks and ways of going as she spends more and more time with him. Of course, they’ve still earned their share of competitive results thus far — they’ve finished in the top 5 in eight of their FEI competitions together, and though they had an unfortunate parting of ways at Tryon last month, this could be a weekend where all of those moving parts gel together. This horse has competed here before and could go even better with a solid showing — he was fifth in the 4*L — his debut at the level — here at Bromont in 2022.
Ariel Grald and Diara. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Ariel Grald and Diara (USA)
Nine-year-old Hanoverian mare (Diacontinus – Lady Revens, by Colon xx). Owned by Anne Eldridge.
If you’re a fan of gorgeous grays with big floppy ears, look no farther – “Dani” is your girl. This lovely mare by the popular stallion Diacontinus (by Diarado) is also just as sweet and friendly as she is talented, making her a barn favorite.
Produced up the levels by Ariel, Dani has a very good cross country record and has logged plenty of dressage scores in the 20’s. While show jumping seems to be her least consistent phase, she’s still pulled off some excellent results, including two wins at the CCI3* level in 2021. Their most recent international start was at the Tryon CCI4*S in May where they added a handful of XC time and one rail to their dressage score to finish 5th.
While Dani is still young for the level, she’s got a fantastic pilot in Ariel and has been brought along carefully – we would expect to see a strong educational finish for these two here at Bromont.
Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly (USA)
Eleven-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Zanjero xx – Tax Rob xx, by Artax xx). Owned by Steve Berkowitz.
Though not the youngest of Lillian’s horse that will contest this division, 11-year-old Chilly will be making his debut at the CCI4*-L level this weekend. Just last month the gelding completed his first CCI4*-S at Tryon where he finished 16th overall after adding cross country time faults and two rails to his low-thirties dressage score.
Chilly, an Oklahoma-bred off-the-track Thoroughbred, came to Lillian’s barn as a five-year-old after she first met him at a clinic she was teaching. Prior to starting his eventing career, Chilly made 29 starts under his Jockey Club name, Landron, clinching three wins and earning just under $40,000 on the track. Chilly was initially a prospect for his owner, equine veterinarian Steve Berkowitz, but turned out to be a little too hot for the adult re-rider. Steve happily turned the reins over to Lillian, maintains full ownership of the horse, and enjoys staying involved in upper-level eventing.
Back in 2020 Chilly experienced a mysterious and life-threatening illness which caused him to spike severe bouts of fever for weeks on end. His veterinarian owner couldn’t figure out the cause, nor could an entire team of veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvannia’s New Bolton Center, and his case remains a mystery to this day. Chilly went through copious amounts of banamine to treat his symptoms before suddenly and miraculously recovering; simply put, the fever broke one day and never returned. Chilly was turned out on pasture at his owner’s farm to recover and regain some weight before Lillian legged him back up and resumed competing him at Training level.
While Lillian will most likely not be looking to make a super competitive push aboard Chilly this weekend, she’ll be looking to give the gelding a great first run at this level. Their triumph will be a positive and educational round, especially considering that just a few years ago it didn’t look like Chilly might be here at all.
Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus (USA)
Ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Lancelot – Cushlamochree, by Cruising). Owned by the rider and Debby Greenspan.
For a 10-year-old, the gorgeous gray Dassett Olympus is already quite a seasoned competitor. Initially backed by Great Britain’s Kate Rocher-Smith of Dassett Eventing, Lillian sourced the gelding through Cooley Farm 2018. She stepped the gelding up to the four-star level in late 2021 and already have 11 completions under their belt at the level as a pair including three CCI4*-Ls, each of which they finished in the top 10.
This will be gelding’s third trip across the border to Bromont. They contested this division last year as well, ultimately finishing in 6th place adding just time to their dressage score. Later that summer Lillian and “Troy” were one of four combinations named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Canada CCIO4*-S here that August. Team USA took home the gold medal, with Lillian and Troy contributing a fourth place individual finish.
This pair has steadily been chipping away their dressage score, dipping sub-30 for the first time in the CCI4*-S at Stable View this April. Watch for them to put their best feet forward in the sandbox and likely rack up a few time penalties cross country. Neither a rail nor a couple time penalties in the show jumping are out of the question either, but another long-format top ten finish is certainly within reach for this pair.
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M (USA)
Sixteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Con Air – O-Heraldika, by Heraldik xx). Owned by Christa B. Schmidt.
Hannah Sue comes to Bromont with “Cheeto”, best friend and field buddy of Hannah’s longtime partner Harbour Pilot, Hannah Sue’s individual silver and team gold 2011 Pan American Games ride.
Cheeto has relatively low mileage for his age, having only begun his international career in 2019, stepping up to 4* in 2021 and 5* a year later. Don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s not experienced though – he’s finished in the top ten in all but one of his seven 4* starts. The odd one out came in the 4*-S at Kentucky this spring where he was 11th.
We probably shouldn’t expect them to be at the business end of things after the first phase – they’re typically low to mid-30s at the level, although they have posted a couple of scores in the mid-20s at 3*. In their two 4*-S runs this year, they’ve had a 30.8 and a 34.1 (at Kentucky and Myakka City, Florida). According to form though, they should be looking at jumping clear across the country – in their 21 FEI starts, they’ve only incurred jumping penalties on four occasions. They generally add a handful of time penalties at the level, but they have jumped double clear at the level below.
The show jumping ring is where Cheeto really comes into his own, although he has had a spate of uncharacteristic faults in his most recent runs. After seven consecutive clear rounds between the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2022, he dropped two poles in the 3*-S at The Plains, and then three in the 3*-L in Maryland. In his two runs so far this season, he’s had a pole at each. Will he be back on his clear round form for Bromont? We’ll have to wait and see.
Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom (USA)
Twelve-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Spirit Horse – Ballycroy Rose, by Clonakilty Hero). Owned by Edy Rameika.
Rock Phantom joined Sara Kozumplik’s string ahead of the 2022 season after previously campaigning under Brazilian rider Nilson Moriera da Silva, with whom he reached the Advanced and 4* level. Sara’s first FEI event with “Rocky” was actually here at Bromont in the 3*L in 2022, where the newly-formed pair finished inside the top 15. A consummate horsewoman who can always be relied upon to produce her horses with tact and dignity, Sara has ticked away with this Irish gelding sensibly and may be ready to really ask for the competitive finish here this weekend. Time on cross country would be the biggest challenge for this pair, though some of that could be intentional as Sara checks her rideability and stamina. If this pair can put the pedal down on Saturday, their low-30s or high-20s dressage mark will put them into a strong position to make a challenge for the top prize.
Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX (USA)
Ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vittorio – Elocia, by Ustinov). Owned by Alex and Shannon Lilley.
Originally from Portola Valley, California, Shannon Lilley has moved her way east to now operate out of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Ideal HX was bred by Stal Hendrix and originally sourced by Caroline Martin. Shannon picked up the ride on the chestnut gelding during the height of the COVID pandemic in September of 2020. This will be Shannon’s first time competing outside of the United States since the Pan-American Games in 2011, as well as the first stamp on Ideal HX’s passport.
Shannon and Ideal HX have had a bit of a touch and go season so far. When they’re on their game, the pair has been coming in in the top ten, but on the other hand, they’ve also withdrawn from two out of three events at the FEI level. Their best event so far has been the Grand Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field, where they came in with a point total of 37.1 and wound up in eleventh place, just outside of the top ten in the Advanced division.
Like so many other event horses, dressage is clearly not Ideal HX’s favorite phase. The chestnut gelding’s dressage scores typically range in the mid to high 30s, although the pair did get a sub-30 score at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials in early April. Unfortunately, a run out or refusal on the cross country course added 20 points to that wonderful dressage score and dropped them from first place to eighth place. Show jumping is where the pair really shines. It’s rare for Ideal HX to get a time penalty in the show jumping ring, with only one measly penalty of 1.6 seconds so far in 2023. He has taken down a grand total of only three rails throughout the entire spring season. Only time will tell if he’ll continue to shine in the show jumping phase at Bromont.
CCI4*-S
CANADA
Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.
Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS (CAN)
Eleven-year-old Trakehner mare (Humble GS – Claudia Cardinale, by Buddenbrock). Owned by the rider.
Melissa Boutin is no stranger to Bromont. She hails from Ascort Corner, Quebec, which is just an hour’s drive away, and she and her equine partner Obeah Dancer GS have worked their way up through the levels at this venue. In 2021 they swept the CCI2*-S, winning the division at both the June and August events. Then in 2022, though they didn’t attend the spring event, they returned to the contest the CCI3*-S in August and earned a very respectable fourth place.
Obeah Dancer, known as “Colleen” around the barn, bears the familiar “GS” suffix for Schickedanz Galten Farms of Newmarket, Ontario and is a half sister to all three of her coach, Jessica Phoenix’s, mounts in the CCI4*-L this weekend. Their sire, Humble GS, who competed through the CCI4*-S level with Jessica is arguably Galten Farm’s most prolific stallion.
This will be Melissa and Colleen’s second CCI4*-S start. They notched a sixth place finish in their debut at the level earlier this spring at the Ocala International Festival of Eventing. This pair can easily earn a low-thirties dressage score and has a relatively clean jumping record, so keep your eye on them this weekend!
Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Colleen Loach and Vermont (CAN)
Eleven-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Van Helsing – Hollywood, by Heraldik xx). Owned by Peter Barry.
Colleen and “Monty” are one of the more experienced pairs here in this year’s CCI4*S division, having logged eleven starts together at the CCI4* level.
A big chestnut with a penchant for excellent dressage marks, Monty has been part of Colleen’s string since he was a young horse. Last year he found himself on a bit of a hot streak, finishing second at the Tryon CCI4*L and then second again at the CCI4*S here at Bromont. He was also on the Canadian team for the FEI Nations Cup leg of last year’s Bromont, helping his team earn a silver medal finish in preparation for the FEI World Championships. Unfortunately he also sprained a fetlock in that outing, which ultimately prevented Colleen and Monty from making the trip to Pratoni.
After a bit of rest their 2023 season started off strong with a 4th place finish at the CCI4*S at TerraNova, but an unfortunate 20 penalties and withdrawal at the second horse inspection derailed their 4-star attempt at Kentucky.
There’s no doubt that Colleen will be looking to get things back on track here with Monty, and given their history at Bromont, this could very well be just the ticket. They have every chance to find themselves well-placed at the end of the weekend.
UNITED STATES
Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Phillip Dutton and Z (USA)
Fifteen-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca Z – Bella Bouche B, by Babouche van het Gehucht Z). Owned by Z Partnership: Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, David Vos, and Patricia Vos.
Phillip Dutton brings forward his Olympic partner and 2019 USEA Horse of the Year, Z. Originally produced to CCI1* in Portugal by Francisco Seabra and then Duarte Seabra, Phillip took on the ride in 2015. Born in Australia, Phillip made the trip to the States in 1991, changing nationality to ride for the US in 2006.
Phillip is a seven-time Olympian, winning team gold for Australia in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000, and individual bronze with Mighty Nice (Ard Ohio – Sarazen) for the USA in Rio in 2016. Z was his Tokyo 2020 ride where he finished sixth with the US team. He’s also a multiple-time World Championship rider, and Z is no stranger to championship events either – together they finished 13th at Tryon in 2018, the highest placed of the Americans. On the lead-up to the Championships, he won the test event, finishing on 28 after adding just 0.4 cross country time to his first phase score.
Z has finished in the top ten in three of his four CCI5* starts, and top five in two of them. At the 4* level, he’s been top five in half of his 14 starts – winning two and placing 2nd in four others. His latest outing at the Kentucky 5* saw him adding just 0.4 cross country time to a dressage of 31.9 to finish 5th. His other run this season was in the 4*-S at Stable View in Aiken, where he finished 12th after posting a 26.5 in the dressage to which he added 16.4 cross country time penalties and a pole in the show jumping. His only trip to Bromont, until now, came in 2018 when he was 6th in the 3*-S. That day he added just 7.2 cross country time to his dressage of 27.1 to finish on 34.3.
At the 4* level, we’re generally looking at a score in the mid to high-20s in the first phase. Follow that up with the fact that Z has jumped clear cross country in his last 13 runs – in his 38 FEI completions he has just one jumping penalty (a 15 in the 4*-L at Maryland in the fall of 2019) on his entire record – and we just know that Z will be looking for the flags the whole way round the course, and is sure to be climbing the leaderboard come cross country day. They sometimes add a breath of time, but not always. Naturally a bit of a perfectionist, he’s a careful show jumper on the whole, with more clears on his score sheet than penalties. All in all, based on his form, experience and recent excellent performance at Kentucky (not to mention having Phillip in the saddle), Z may well be one to watch at Bromont.
Alexandra MacLeod and Newmarket Jack. Photo by Abby Powell.
Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack (USA)
Fourteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Newmarket Jewel – Newmarket Chantepie, by Newmarket Venture) owned by Alex and Carla MacLeod.
Alex and “Jack” come forward to contest the 4*-L this spring after a big 5* debut at Kentucky in 2022. A full time veterinarian, Alex is constantly juggling work and upper level competition. Now based in Massachusetts, Alex previously spend some time in southern California where she and “Jack” top results including a win in the Galway Downs CCI4*-L back in 2021.
Alex found Jack in Ireland as a 5-year-old, where she and her mother, Carla, bought him and brought him stateside. She was a working student for Phillip Dutton at the time while in school, where the youngster was so “feral” that Phillip wouldn’t let Jack jump until the flatwork improved. Which it did the following year, and Alex has brought her partner along ever since.
We’ll likely see this pair in the upper 30s after the first phase, but it’s well within their wheelhouse to finish on that score, which could be a very competitive advantage on their first trek to Bromont.
Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Abby Powell.
Boyd Martin and On Cue (USA)
Seventeen-year-old Anglo-European mare (Cabri d’Elle – On High, by Primitive Rising). Owned by Rider and Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner.
The inaugural Maryland 5 Star winner is officially back in action this season after some time off to rehab an injury. On Cue handily won the 2021 Maryland 5 Star, giving Boyd his first 5* win in the process, and this year has come out strong with some light prep runs to get her back up and running at the top levels. She’s coming off a top-15 finish in the 4*-S at Tryon last month, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Boyd start to ramp up the pressure here for a competitive run. “Cue” is one to bet on to lay down a top score in the first phase, and should she do so this weekend she’ll be well placed to make a run for it across these lovely Bromont hills. She has competed here before, finishing third in her first 4*L in 2019.
Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando (USA)
Sixteen-year-old Anglo European Sporthorse gelding (Lancer II – Fancy II, by Langata Express xx). Bred by Millfield Stud. Owned by Booli Selmayr, Kelly Morgan, and Jacqueline Thorne.
Bromont will be something of a rerouting for this Westchester, NY, native and her five-star partner “Lance.” Their second crack at the Kentucky 5* a few weeks ago ended prematurely when Booli came off at the first water complex.
Booli bought Lance from upper level eventer and veterinarian Kevin Keane when he was going Preliminary, and at the time she couldn’t quite put her finger on what his “it” factor was, but she’s now glad she pulled the trigger and decided to build a partnership with the Irish-bred gelding.
Lance is capable of a mid-30s, but we’ll likely see him stick slightly above that. Their strongest phase is cross country where they’ve only had three faults in their entire International career together.
