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Jacqueline Brooks Reigns Supreme at CDI-W 3*/Y/J/P/CH/YH

Ottawa Summer Classic

June 28, 2007

Jacqueline Brooks Reigns Supreme at CDI-W 3*/Y/J/P/CH/YH

Ottawa Summer Classic

Ottawa, Ontario --- Jacqueline Brooks of Mount Albert, ON was at the top of her game, racking up four wins at the CDI-W 3*/Y/J/P/CH/YH Ottawa Summer Classic, held June 21-24 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.

A seasoned international competitor, Brooks was right on stride in the Grand Prix division with her 2003 Pan American Games and 2006 World Equestrian Games mount, Gran Gesto, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brinc Ltd and Anne Welch.

After winning the Grand Prix with a score of 65.583%, the duo went on to thrill the crowd in the Grand Prix Freestyle, performing to dramatic music from the movie ‘Alexander’, and earning a score of 71.150%.

“Gran Gesto was excited to be in the show ring,” said Brooks. “He made a few mistakes in the Grand Prix but was settled in the ring for the Freestyle and was a pleasure to ride.”

Finishing second in the Freestyle was Tina Busse-Irwin of Lakefield, ON, who rode to instrumental versions of Tina Turner hits, receiving a score of 68.200% aboard the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Amicelli, co-owned by Ute Busse and Wendy Beresford. Busse-Irwin and Amicelli are certainly role models for the Young Rider program, being graduates after having twice represented Canada at the North American Young Rider Championships,before moving on to compete first in the Senior Advanced division, and now being successful in the Grand Prix ring.

Evi Strasser of Sainte-Adele, QC also earned top three finishes in the Grand Prix division, having finished second in the Grand Prix, scoring 65.292% aboard her longtime partner the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Quantum Tyme, with whom she represented Canada the World Cup Finals held earlier this year. The duo also took top spot in the Grand Prix Special on a score of 66.440%.

Nancy MacLachlan of Terra Cotta, ON rounded out the top three in the Grand Prix, riding her 11-year-old Ukrainian-bred gelding Ariston. The pair also secured a second place finish in the Grand Prix Special, followed by Jessica Costello of King City, ON, who took third place with Judy Elliott’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Litmanen.

Brooks was on fire in the Advanced division, sweeping all three classes with Balmoral (Belcanto x Charisma), an eight-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by Anne & John Welch and Brinc Ltd, and bred in Canada by Stephanie Jeffrey.

“Balmoral showed me how much he has grown up this year and was an absolute gentleman through all three tests,” commented Brooks. “His confidence improved each time he went down the centre line.”

After taking the Prix St Georges (68.900%) and the Intermediaire I (69.750%), Brooks earned her highest score of the competition in the Intermediaire I Freestyle, riding Balmoral to music from the box office hit Pirates of the Caribbean, scoring 73.400%.

“It was exciting to have both horses willingly demonstrate in the ring all the improvements we've been working towards at home,” explained Brooks, who enjoyed a career first of winning both the Advanced and Grand Prix divisions at the same FEI competition.

Interestingly, the second and third positions in each of the Advanced division classes, which boasted 14 entries, were traded off by Ottawa area local Simone Williams of Navan, ON and Ute Busse from Breslau, ON. Williams was the runner up in the Intermediaire I Freestyle, riding her nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding Wunder Ein to Brazilian inspired music for a score of 70.800%. Busse was third, scoring 67.950% aboard Lindor’s Finest, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion she co-owns with Sylvia Carlton.

Williams and Wunder Ein also claimed second in the Intermediaire I on a score of 68.650%, and third in the Prix St Georges, scoring an even 66%. Busse and Lindor’s Finest took third in the Intermediaire I (67.950%), and second in the Prix St Georges (66.050%).

As a qualifier for the 2008 World Cup Final, the CDI-W 3*/Y/J/P/CH/YH Ottawa Summer Classic drew more than 250 competitors from across Canada for a full weekend of competition, including FEI Young Rider and Young Horse classes, as well as a host of National and FEI classes.

“The show itself was great. The lower ring was dressed up and it was exciting to ride in it,” praised Brooks. “The crowd was very supportive and the organizers did a great job throughout the four days.”

The international judging panel included Stephen Clarke (FEI ‘O’ – GBR), Anne Gribbons (FEI ‘O’ – USA), Elizabeth McMullen (FEI ‘O’ – Canada), Marian Cunningham (FEI ‘I’ – PER), and Peter Holler (FEI ‘I’ – GER).

For more information and full results, please visit www.equivents.com

About Dressage Canada

Dressage Canada is a committee of Equine Canada. As the national sport governing body, its objective is to foster the growth of dressage and the pursuit of excellence at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both the amateur and professional through programs such as coaching, education and awards and is responsible for setting rules, team qualifying criteria and the education and licensing of officials. For more information about Dressage Canada, email info@dressagecanada.org or visit us online at www.dressagecanada.org

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