Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124. Photo by Abby Powell.
We’re looking forward to heading north of the border early next month for the first international event of the season at beautiful Bromont International (June 8-11). Situated just to the east of Montreal, Bromont played host to the 1976 Olympics and in the last year portions of the property have come under new property ownership. The city of Bromont owns the 70 acres designated for equestrian use (including the grounds that host the Bromont Horse Trials), while the remaining 30 acres were purchased by a local group led by Champion Iron’s Michael O’Keeffe. Plans for updates to the newly-owned portion of the facility include new arenas and infrastructure. The multi-phase plan is the manifestation of the new ownership group’s vision to bring Bromont to its full potential and, hopefully, host future international championships across disciplines.
On the eventing side, a growing roster awaits in the headlining CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S divisions at MARS Bromont CCI, organized by Sue Ockendon. We’ll also see the return of the MARS Bromont Rising program, aimed at supporting and educating riders under 25 who were selected by committee earlier this month. Bromont will also host an Under-25 CCI3*-L and CCI2*-L to provide a standalone challenge for the young riders. Riders will benefit from teaching and mentorship from Bettina Hoy and Peter Gray throughout Bromont week.
The 4* divisions will see some entries still filing in ahead of the closing date next week, but some notable highlights at the time of publication include:
- Phillip Dutton and Z, coming off a top-5 finish at LRK3DE in April, are entered in the 4*-S. Phillip has also entered the 11-year-old mare Azure in the 4*-L, which is to be her second at the Long level with Phillip in the irons.
- Aachen-bound Ariel Grald will bring forward some of Annie Eldridge and Setters’ Run Farm’s rising stars, including Forrest Gump 124 and Diara in the 4*-L, and Caballe in the 4*-S.
- Lillian Heard Wood will bring her two younger rides and LCC Barnaby successors, the elegant Dassett Olympus and the OTTB Chilly, in the 4*-L.
- One to watch: keep an eye on Kendal Lehari and Audacious as they look for their first 4*-L completion — they were third in the 4*-S at Bromont in 2022.
- Colleen Loach will present her two talented horses, FE Golden Eye in the 4*-L and Vermont in the 4*-S.
- Re-routing after withdrawing from Kentucky, Lauren Nicholson will bring forward Landmark’s Monte Carlo in the 4*-L.
Abby Powell and I will be your eyes on the ground at Bromont this year, and it’ll be my first trip to this venue so I can’t wait! Stay tuned for much more from Bromont.
MARS Bromont CCI: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Volunteer] [Enter] [Sponsor] [VIP]
