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Venezuelan Andres Rodrigues takes top honours at the Bobcat 1.50 m CSI**!

July 31, 2025

Bromont – The $32,000 Bobcat 1.50 m CSI** test was one of the highlights of the day at the 34th Edition of the International Bromont presented by CN. 27 rider-horse teams took to the course, including Bromont favourite Mario Deslauriers, Canadian Champion Kean White, Olympic equestrian Andres Rodrigues from Venezuela, Canadian Team Silver Medalist at the Beijing Olympics, Mac Cone, as well as Beth Underhill, Jonathon Millar, Mark Samuel, Americans Peter Leone, Kelly Soleau, and Marie Hécart from France. Young David Arcand, only 18 years of age, was also in the running with Santos Utopia. The 12-obstacle course designed by FEI recognized Léopoldo Palaccio presented notable technical difficulties, particularly at the onset of double combinations.

First to compete, Mario Deslauriers and his horse Ardeche Van de Zelm were unable to achieve perfection, exiting the ring with 8 penalty points. But hopes were still alive, as Deslauriers had registered with two other horses. Erynn Ballard with Simply Ahorn was the first to overcome all the challenges. American Peter Leone would repeat Ballard’s feat, thus declaring a jump-off, a 2nd test where speed determines the winner. An unfortunate fallen rail would have the best of David Arcand’s many equestrian skills, taking him out of the leaders’ pack. Beth Underhill was meanwhile the 3rd rider to perform a flawless run. Back with his horse Vicompte D, Mario Deslauriers mesmerized the crowd to earn a spot in the jump-off. He then proceeded to repeat the exploit with his other horse Urico, a partner in many victories over the last few weeks at Spruce Meadows. Winner at the World Cup Qualifier last Sunday in Blainville, Andres Rodrigues would as well sign off on a flawless run with his equine partner Secret. Canadian Champion Kean White also brought the house down, while Ian Millar’s son Jonathon was the 9th and last rider to join in the jump-off clan.

In the jump-off, only the stopwatch and number of faults decide between the participants, making the competitor with the fastest running time and least amount of faults the winner! The 6-obstacle and double combination course presented a few time-saving options, notably in tight turns and straight line accelerations! Erynn Ballard upped the stakes by performing a 23 second faultless run. Riding Vicompte D, Mario Deslauriers was hot on her hooves, flying through the course in 35.59 seconds! Young Andres Rodrigues, 25 years old, shaved precious seconds off his running time by cutting all the turns! The outcome: a new 34.77 seconds time to beat! A rider known for his propensity to take risks, Kean White saw his luck turn with a total of 14 penalty points. Riding Urico, Mario Deslauriers improved his record time with a stopwatch at 35.40 seconds.

Victory would finally befall Andres Rodrigues. This young rider will be a competitor to watch throughout the event. For one, Mario Deslauriers did not disappoint, signing off with 3rd and 4th places.

Results :

1st Andres Rodrigues / Secret 0 /0 34,77 sec.
2nd Erynn Ballard / Simply Ahorn 0 / 0 35,23 sec.
3rd Mario Deslauriers / Urico 0 / 0 35,40 sec.
4th Mario Deslauriers / Vicomte D 0 / 0 35,59 sec.
5th Erynn Ballard / Sorbette 0 / 0 36,17 sec.
6th Peter Leone / Candide 0 / 8 36,32 sec.
7th Jonathon Millar / Vianco V/D Rampaarden 0 / 0 37,61 sec.
8th Beth Underhill / Cantero Z 0 /0 38,01 sec.

Written by HJN Staff Reporter · Filed Under Canada 
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