Pratt experienced déjà vu by jumping to the top of the standings in Wednesday’s Open Jumper class riding Markant, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Susan Grange of Cheltenham, ON. Of the 18 contenders, Pratt was the first of eight to master the course set by Eugene Mathy of Belgium and advance to the jump-off where he again jumped clear in a time of 36.60 seconds, a performance that none who followed were able to beat.

Pratt, 35, of Terra Cotta, ON, has been hot since the Canadian show jumping season opened in May when he claimed back-to-back victories with Markant in the $40,000 Classic @ Palgrave Phase 1 Grand Prix followed one week later by a win in the $40,000 Caledon National Grand Prix. Both events were held in Bolton, ON.

Ainsley Vince, 27, of Milton, ON, enjoyed a good day, placing two horses in the top six. Riding Kafka, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Concorde, Vince finished as the runner-up with a second clear round in a time of 37.97 seconds while her new mount, Uno, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Lord Z, jumped to sixth place for owners Marsie Vince and the KMA Group. Vince is the defending champion of the $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier, a title she will attempt to defend in the grand prix ring on Sunday.

Summer Bruington placed third riding VDL Mercedes while international competitor, Eric Flameng of Belgium, placed fourth with Roxanne. Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, rounded out the top five, giving it her best shot riding the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, Solisco, for owner Towne Chevrolet Inc. Despite posting the fastest time, 33.82 seconds, one dropped rail kept her from taking over the lead.

A total of $145,000 in prize money is offered throughout the five-day tournament at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International. In addition to the $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier held on Sunday, July 11, other feature classes include Friday’s $15,000 Open Welcome Stake and Saturday’s $20,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix.

The $60,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier will be broadcasted in French on Sunday, August 1 at 2 p.m. on RDS, and in English on Saturday, August 7 at 2 p.m. on Global television.

Located just north of Montreal, Blainville Equestrian Park features a variety of attractions that ensure family members enjoy their visit. For more information, please contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202, fax: (450) 434-8209, or e-mail: info@classiqueblainville.com.