Ste-Justine-de-Newton, QC — Doubled prize money led to a more than doubled number of participants at this year’s rendition of the Beaulieu Summer Classic Series. With $110,000 up for grabs, over 300 horses and their riders traveled to Beaulieu Farm’s picturesque facilities in Ste-Justine-de-Newton, QC to take part in this horse show’s fifth anniversary.
Oblivious to torrential downpours throughout much of the second week of the show, Beaulieu Farm’s well-drained sand footing held up nicely and competitors were able to continue without any delays.
The two-week long tournament culminated on Sunday July 2, 2025 following the $25,000 Desjardins Grand Prix. Topping a field of 21 competitors was none other than Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON. Aboard her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Magdaline (Ahorn), Underhill expertly negotiated FEI course designer Dr. Luc Nguyen-Trong’s technically designed course. Finishing a close second was Quebec’s Isabelle Lapierre aboard her young 7-year-old gelding Loreal Des Forest (Quidam de Revel).
“I was particularly excited to win the Grand Prix with Magdaline as this was her 2006 debut at Grand Prix after a lay-up this past winter,” commented Underhill who in addition to Magdaline, brought with her a string of young horses. “We were all made to feel very welcome. Carlo (Zimmer) made sure that everyone was well looked after and that everything ran smoothly”.
Exactly one week earlier on Sunday June 25, John Kersely of Newington, ON rode his 11-year-old holsteiner gelding Moritze to a victory in the $15,000 New Holland Grand Prix. Also double clear was Nicolas-Xavier Belanger of Calixa-Lavalee, QC who finished second on his 10-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding Now or Never (Nonstop).
As part of the distinct European flavor of this horse show, spectators and competitors alike were treated to a wine and cheese soirée on Saturday June 24. The evening was highlighted by 12 competitors vying for the title of ‘champion’ in the $5,000 4-bar Puissance class. Spectators sat at the edge of their seats while the bars were gradually raised to 1m70 until only three riders were left. In consideration of their horses, a unanimous decision was made by the remaining three competitors to call it a tie.
Another crowd favorite was the $5000 Agro Centre Belcan Speed Derby, which took place on Canada Day, July 1. Riding Stephanie Morier’s Peter Pan, Paul Helpern of Ottawa, ON raced against the clock to take top honours in the class. Capturing second place was 14-year old ‘Jr Equestrian of the Year’, Bille Derouet of Bromont, QC who was teamed up with her 9-year-old Canadian bred Oldenburg mare Jezzebel de Bromont (A Bromont). The Speed Derby was followed by Beaulieu’s annual BBQ evening where to the sounds of European dance music, guests kept the party going until 1:00 am.
“Thanks to long time supporters of our show as well as new participants, the horse show has progressively but substantially increased in size. We started off with only 50 horses, stated organizer Bea Jarzynska. “Our goal is to be able to one day offer even more in terms of prize money and for our show to eventually be recognized as an international venue”.
About Beaulieu Farm
Centrally located in southwestern Quebec, less than an hour’s drive from either Ottawa, ON or Montreal, QC, Beaulieu Farm is a 230 acre European Sport Horse breeding farm owned by Carlo Zimmer and Bea Jarzynska. In addition to an incredibly scenic backdrop, the farm is equipped with 200 permanent stalls, several riding rings, dressage arenas, a cross country course and a 220 x 100 foot indoor arena, allowing Beaulieu Farm to play host to a variety of annual competitions. Visit www.fermebeaulieufarm.com to learn more.
Results Desjardins Grand Prix - 1m45
Placing / Horse / Rider / Owner1 MAGDALINE / BETH UNDERHILL / BETH UNDERHILL STABLES
2 LOREAL DES FOREST / ISABELLE LAPIERRE / ECURIES DE LA CHAUDIERE
3 MORITZE / JOHN KERSLEY / JOHN KERSLEY
4 DUTCH TREAT / MYRA SIMARD / MYRA SIMARD
5 ROLLS ROYCE / JONATHON MILLAR / REBECCA IRVINE
6 RAPSODY / FELIX-ANTOINE MOULIN / FELIX-ANTOINE MOULIN
7 CANTOR 13 / JOHN KERSLEY / JOHN KERSLEY
8 AFTER SHOCK / JONATHON MILLAR / MILLAR BROOKE FARM
Results $15,000 New Holland Grand Prix
Placing / Horse / Rider / Owner
1 MORITZE / JOHN KERSLEY / JOHN KERSLEY
2 NOW OR NEVER / NICOLAS-XAVIER BELANGER / NICOLAS-XAVIER BELANGER
3 DUTCH TREAT / MYRA SIMARD / MYRA SIMARD
4 NAIROBI / MICHELLE MATTHEWS / MARK LEYTON
5 CANTOR 13 / JOHN KERSLEY / JOHN KERSLEY
6 SECRET IDENTITY / ALEXANDER ROHLING / LOWER SAXONY STABLES
7 CARUSO / ALEX MOYNAN / ALEX MOYNAN
8 RAPSODY / FELIX-ANTOINE MOULIN / FELIX-ANTOINE MOULIN
Results 4-bar Puissance
Placing / Horse / Rider / Owner
1 CARUSO / ALEX MOYNAN / ALEX MOYNAN
1 RHIANNON / BETH UNDERHILL / TRIPLE SEAL LTD
1 MORITZE / JOHN KERSLEY / JOHN KERSLEY
4 KENNY / GRUSCHENKA MOJICA / GRUSCHENKA MOJICA
4 ST. ANDREW / ALEXANDER ROHLING / LOWER SAXONY STABLES
4 PATRIOT / ALEXANDER ROHLING / LOWER SAXONY STABLES
7 SABRINA B / PAUL HALPERN / TRACY HOWARD
8 MIDNIGHT BLUE / JOHN KERSLEY / DENIS LAPOINTE
Results Speed Derby
Placing / Horse / Rider / Owner
1 PETER PAN / PAUL HALPERN / STEPHANIE MORIER
2 JEZZEBEL DE BROMONT / BILLIE DEROUET / BRUNO DEROUET
3 LAZUR / PAUL HALPERN / JOHANNE MARCOTTE
4 JULIAN / BETH UNDERHILL / BETH UNDERHILL STABLES
5 RICO / MARLEE DICHTER / MARLEE DICHTER
6 WILD THING / YVES BRETON / YVES BRETON
7 T. NARALDA / ISABELLE LAPIERRE / GROUPE BISA INC
8 TAMAR / MADRIGAL WHITE / ANGELSTONE FARMS
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