Blainville, Quebec - Ainsley Vince of Milton, ON, received a warm welcome at the Blainville Equestrian Park winning the $10,000 Open Welcome on Friday, July 6, as part of the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International taking place July 4-8 in Blainville, QC.

Riding five horses in the competition, Vince increased her odds of a victory, and it was the final entry in the class, Catch 22, that claimed the victory.

A total of 26 horses entered the competition with 11 posting a clear round over the track set by Olympic course designer Linda Allen. In an exciting jump-off, the times got faster and faster as each horse-rider combination entered the ring. As the final challenger, Vince and her long-time partner, Catch 22, proved to be the best by blistering around the track in a time of 38.52 seconds.

"He was wonderful," said Vince of the 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that carried her to back-to-back Canadian Show Jumping Championship titles in 2001 and 2002. "The nice thing about Catch 22 is that because he does not have a big stride, it makes it easier to make the turns without losing any time. He was great, and he felt super."

With a time of 40.14 seconds, Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, took second position riding Noble I for owner Kelly Soleau. Vince also finished third with Top Gun, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that she almost didn't ride in the competition.

"He is only seven, and I didn't want to over face him. I thought I would enter him in the class, then walk the course and decide whether or not to ride," explained Vince, 30, of her strategy. "He was fantastic. Linda Allen did a perfect job with the course and it was an exciting jump-off with the times getting faster and faster."

Marie Hecart of France guided Tyra to a fourth place finish with a gutsy ride in a time 40.25 seconds. Jonathon Millar took fifth position with Chianto, taking over the ride for owner Alison Moore who is sidelined with an injury, edging his father, eight-time Olympian Ian Millar, into sixth place with Redefin.

Saturday features the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix at 2 p.m. followed immediately by the crowd-pleasing $3,500 Horse-Dog Relay. On Sunday, the grand finale is the $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier beginning at 2 p.m. Show jumping then continues for a second week at the Blainville Equestrian Park with the CSI2* Blainville Jumping International from July 11 to 15.

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 ext. 108, e-mail: classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

$10,000 Open Welcome Stake - Final Results

Rider - Hometown - Horse - Faults - Time
1. Ainsley Vince Milton, ON Catch 22 0:0 38.52
2. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Noble I 0:0 40.14
3. Ainsley Vince Milton, ON Top Gun 0:0 40.18
4. Marie Hecart France Tyra 0:0 40.25
5. Jonathon Millar Perth, ON Chianto 0:0 41.75
6. Ian Millar Perth, ON Redefin 0:0 42.07
7. Amy Millar Perth, ON Costa Rica Z 0:4 39.40
8. Ainsley Vince Milton, ON Denver 0:4 43.18

PHOTO CREDIT: Ainsley Vince and Catch 22 won the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake on Friday at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International held July 4-8 in Blainville, Quebec. Photo Credit - Cealy Tetley