Posted April 23, 2006

St. Lazare Horse Show Introduces $35,000 Grand Prix

St-Lazare, Quebec - A regular stop on the Canadian spring circuit, show jumping action returns to St. Lazare, QC, with the exciting introduction of a $35,000 Grand Prix on Sunday, May 28.

The new $35,000 Grand Prix is the culmination of two weeks of show jumping competition at the legendary Ppinire Stables. The Ppinire Horse Show will be held May 18-22 while the St. Lazare Horse Show will take place May 24-28, 2006, for the benefit of Dr. David Fleiszers Fund for Breast Cancer Survivorship Programs at the McGill University Health Center.

The Ppinire Horse Show, with FEI 'I' Course Designer Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico building in the grand prix ring, will feature Young Horse and Talent Squad competitions as well as a $5,000 Mini Prix. The following week, American course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio takes over course designing duties for the St. Lazare Horse Show also featuring Young Horse and Talent Squad competitions as well as a $10,000 Speed Derby on Saturday, May 27, that will make use of the new tabletop bank, open water and dry ditch obstacles. The grande finale, the $35,000 Grand Prix, takes place on Sunday, May 28. Hunter competitors will also have their own spectacle on the final day of competition with the $2,500 Gladys Adam Memorial Hunter Classic, Presented by Merial Canada Inc.

Another new addition for the 2006 season is the introduction of a 'Club des Patrons' membership, which ranges from Patron to Diamond levels and includes daily admission to the VIP seating area. One hundred percent of the 'Club des Patrons' membership fees will go directly to fund prize money, thanks to the sponsorship of Thermo King and Eastwood Equine Inc., who will underwrite the operating costs.

Once organized by renowned horsewoman, the late Gladys Adam, the Ppinire Horse Show and the St. Lazare Horse Show are now managed by Comptitions Eastwood Equine Inc., headed by Mike Lawrence with the able assistance of Competition Manager, Duncan Oswald, and Office Manager, Pia Jones.

"We are really excited about the increased prize money we are offering for 2006, and are expecting to attract some of the best competitors in Canadian show jumping," said Lawrence, who is overseeing the Ppinire and St. Lazare Horse Shows for the third year. "The Speed Derby is always an exciting class for competitors and spectators alike as we make use of the natural obstacles, and the $35,000 Grand Prix will bring the level of competition to new heights. As always, we are proud of, and committed to, maintaining the excellent grass footing that Ppinire is famous for. Ppinire has a long history and has been host to some excellent horse shows in the past, and we are committed to seeing these shows return to their former level."

The St. Lazare Horse Show is proud to partner with Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation to raise money for Dr. David Fleiszer's Fund for Breast Cancer Survivorship Programs at the McGill University Health Center. On May 27, a Breast Cancer Survivor Ride will be held prior to the Speed Derby, featuring breast cancer survivors, most of whom only began riding in March. The Equestrian Societys Fundraiser Cocktail featuring live entertainment, a silent auction, and a deluxe selection of dinner hors doeuvres, will be held following the Speed Derby.

For more information on the Ppinire and St. Lazare Spring Horse Shows, including prize lists, please visit www.pepinierestables.com. For Fundraiser ticket information, please call 514 695-2711 or e-mail Suze.beaudin@sympatico.ca.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jonathon Millar will be among the show jumping competitors seeking to win the $35,000 Grand Prix in St. Lazare, QC. Photo by Cealy Tetley