Mars Bromont CCI
How does one make time move slowly? This question kept finding its way into my mind during the week I spent at the Mars Bromont CCI. One week just didn’t seem like enough time to appreciate the venue, town, and culture of that area. I fell in love with Bromont, an outdoorsy town just outside Montreal with plenty of gastro-pubs, and a small army of tiny stop-signs with a crafty way of materialising out of thin mountain air.
The Parc Concours de Bromont itself is built around a small lake at the western base of Mont Bernard. Surrounded by hills and mountains, the hilly-terrain proved to be the perfect test of horse and rider.
I would be remiss to neglect thanking, and giving the venue, organizers and staff at Bromont their flowers! They all did such a great job at organizing a beautiful well-run event. I also want to take just a moment to thank Michelle Dunn, the oh so talented press officer at Bromont! She made such an effort to make it easy to cover this event, and it showed! I’ve had my share of media coverage difficulties in the past (as all media professionals have) and when an event goes out of their way to make your job possible, it’s the cherry on top!
Thank heavens for Michelle!
The American contingent that made the trip up to Quebec did not leave empty handed. Four out of the six classes on offer at the event were won by American riders. Canada made a strong showing as well on home soil, claiming the remaining wins. Names such as Boyd Martin, Lauren Nicholson, Jessica Phoenix, and Lyman Ordway found themselves in good fighting form after the dust settled on a nail-biting show jump phase.
Alongside the regular classes were the featured U25 (under 25 yrs. old riders) divisions. A mix of American and Canadian young riders took to Brody Robertson and Derek di Grazia’s challenging courses to fight for top honors. The U25 CCI3*L proved to be the most difficult of the classes on offer for 2025. Only one pair remained after cross-country; the talented pair of Ivie Cullen-Dean and Fernhill Cardevega. The pair proved that there’s nothing quite like a tough Irish Horse when it comes to true cross-country questions. The pair stormed their way around the tough track with ease, making the majority of the large fences look like something you might find at a one-day schooling show. Fernhill Cardevega has a strong will, and an even stronger desire to make it through the flags. In the U25 CCI2*L however the competition was much closer with only 1.9 points separating the top three after dressage. While cross-country proved to be more difficult than anticipated, most made it through in fighting form.
Competition coverage aside, here are some horses I thought did a wonderful job this weekend. I want to preface this with saying I’m not a professional rider, and I don’t have years of experience to draw on here.
Now, if you’re not already a super-fan of Jim and Katherine O’brien’s Montpellier Scais, you might consider it. Roo (as he’s lovingly known around the barn) is quite proper on the flat, while staying scrappy (in a great way) over the fences. He can do no wrong. Watching Roo’s extended trot, which scored 9’s mind you, was really something else. He was absolutely dancing with Allie down the diagonal.
Allie Knowles & Montpellier Scais on their way to scoring a 24.3 in the dressage phase, to lead the CCI2*L.
Next, Ryan Wood and the Bellines Quality Lady Syndicate’s Bellines Quality Lady. If you’re a fan of red-headed Irish mares, then this is one to follow for sure! She’s quite fancy, and really a fun one to watch go around, regardless of the phase. It just looks easy for this horse.
Finally some anecdotes from the week. Firstly, watching Megan Abbott respond in Spanish to the French Canadian barista at Tim Hortons was definitely up there. Yes, that did happen, and we all had a good laugh about it. You’re a good sport Megan.
Also, this image. I will offer no further explanation. Nat has the best Regu-mate dosing gloves of all time. You all wish you had half the energy this woman embodies.
A bottle of regu-mate hates to see Nat coming…
Jokes aside, this is quite smart. Nat’s endless commitment to having fun inspires me!
Another less fortunate funny moment was being fumigated by Buck Davidson while visiting for dinner. Apparently cayenne pepper, oil, and heat make for a good sinus cleanse, and some serious discomfort.
The weekend was packed with all kinds of adventures, from bike repair mishaps, to freightliner thermostat gremlins, to menu items lost in translation. Bromont had just about all of it. I’m so glad I got to have this experience with some of my favorite people. Until next time…
