Lucy Deslauriers and Hester. Photo by Tom von Kap-herr.
Sixteen-year-old Lucy Deslauriers won the opening FEI event, the Québec Original 1.50, on Thursday with Hester, at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in the last week of the International Bromont. Nine riders qualified their horses for the jump-off, including Daniel Bluman (COL), Leslie Howard (USA), Ali Ramsay (CAN), Elizabeth Gingras (CAN), Jill Henselwood (CAN), Quentin Judge (USA) with his two mounts, Susan Horn (CAN) as well as Lucy Deslauriers.
Course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) put the athletes to the test in the jump-off, especially with a tight turn towards the second-to-last jump, a large oxer. First in the jump-off, Columbia Daniel Bluman went for the lead, however, a small slip by his mount Conconcreto Believe, opened the door for his competitors. Quentin Judge on HH Copin van de Broy, second pair in the jump-off, established the time to beat at 37.25 seconds. Judge took the lead again a few rounds later, this time on HH Memphis, with a clear effort in 35.83 seconds. Eighth on the course, Coup de Chance, ridden by Elizabeth Gingras, took the lead with less than 0.26.
Lucy Deslauriers and Hester were the last out for the jump-off: with nothing to lose, the pair went for the win. "I am extremely proud of Lucy", said Roger Deslauriers, moved to see his grand-daughter win in Bromnt. "With Hester, she has had a great season so far, and it is a pleasure to see her perform here, in Bromont". With a clear round and a little more than one second difference with their closest competitor, Lucy Deslauriers and Hester won the first FEI event of this week.
Results - FEI Québéc Original 1m50
1. Lucy Deslauriers (USA) / Hester 0-0, 34.49
2. Elizabeth Gingras (CAN) / Coup de Chance 0-0, 35.57
3. Quentin Judge (USA) / HH Memphis 0-0, 35.83
4. Quentin Judge (USA) / HH Copin van de Broy 0-0, 37.25
5. Leslie Howard (USA) / Gentille van Spieveld 0-0, 37.32
6. Liubov Kochetova (RUS) / Urus 2 0-0, 40.45
7. Susan Horn (CAN) / Lilly Fee 0-0, 40.72
8. Jill Henselwood (CAN) / Quidam Blue 0-4, 36.13
Source: Press release from Phelps Media Group, Inc. International.