Blainville, Quebec - July 9, 2005 - Crowd favourite Laurie Bucci of St. Hilaire, QC, gave her fans reason to cheer as she claimed victory in the $25,000 Desjardins Challenge held Saturday at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International in Blainville, Quebec.

It was the third victory of the international show jumping tournament for Bucci, who also won Wednesday’s Open competition as well as Thursday’s Talent Squad class. In the Desjardins Challenge, she was one of six riders from the original 30-horse starting field to pass the test set by course designer Conrad Homfeld and advance to the jump-off.

From the minute she stepped out onto the grass Grand Prix field, Bucci’s intention of winning was clear. Riding Lalelu, a nine-year-old bay Oldenburg mare owned by South Shore Farm, Bucci galloped around the course, carefully leaving all the jumps up along the way, and stopped the timers at 46.14 seconds. None who followed were able to catch her time, giving Quebec’s golden girl yet another victory.

Finishing in second position was Gord Munro of Tottenham, ON. The first to challenge the jump-off course, Munro guided Shakira, an eight-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood mare, clearly across the obstacles, but exceeded the time allowed in doing so to pick up one time fault.

Belgium’s Eric Flameng, the defending champion of Sunday’s $65,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier, finished third riding Mazelle, a nine-year-old Belgian-bred mare. Flameng, who made his World Cup Final debut in April, was on track to take over the lead with a time of 45.16 seconds when the final rail on course fell from its cups, dashing his hopes for victory.

Another Quebec competitor, Myra Simard, had one rail down and also picked up one time fault to accumulate five faults and finish in fourth position riding her long-time partner, Dutch Treat.

Canadian Olympian John Pearce of Stouffville, ON, gave it best shot with Urioso, his eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, and although he would have had the time, eight faults put him out of contention and caused him to take his foot off the gas pedal.

Chris Pratt was in trouble from the start when two of the first three fences came down, but a refusal at fence 13c proved to be very unlucky indeed, costing him a total of 35 faults when it was all said and done and placing him sixth overall with Nero, Susan Grange’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Over $160,000 in prize money is offered over five days of competition at the 17th annual CSI-W Blainville Jumping International. Sunday afternoon brings the week’s featured event, the $65,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier. One of eight World Cup Qualifying events on the 2005 Canadian calendar, the $65,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier helps determine which two athletes will represent Canada at the 2006 World Cup Final in Malaysia.

Located just north of Montreal, Blainville Equestrian Park features a variety of attractions that ensure all family members enjoy their visit. For more information, please visit www.classiqueblainville.com or contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202, e-mail: classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

$25,000 Desjardins Challenge – Final Results

Rider - Hometown - Horse - Faults - Time
1. Laurie Bucci - St. Hilaire, QC - Lalelu - 0:0 - 46.14
2. Gord Munro - Tottenham, ON - Shakira - 0:1 - 50.12
3. Eric Flameng - Belgium - Mazelle - 0:4 - 45.16
4. Myra Simard - Montreal, QC - Dutch Treat - 0:5 - 50.39
5. John Pearce - Stouffville, ON - Urioso - 0:8 - 46.66
6. Chris Pratt - Belfountain, ON - Nero - 0:35 - 68.58

ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH
“Quebec’s Laurie Bucci and Lalelu on their way to victory in the $25,000 Desjardins Challenge at CSI-W Blainville Jumping International in Blainville, QC.”
Photo credit – Cealy Tetley