Lucy Deslauriers Wins $40,000 RBC Welcome at CSI3* Ottawa International

Lucy Deslauriers, 18, of New York, NY, won the $40,000 RBC Open Welcome on Thursday, July 20, at the CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

An international starting field of 45 horse and rider combinations contested the track set by American course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio on the grass grand prix field, with 12 leaving all the jumps in place to advance to the tie-breaking jump-off.

Having been the first rider on course in the opening round, Deslauriers again returned first for the jump-off.  She and Hester laid down another clear round in a time of 37.78 seconds that would prove to be unbeatable.  United States Equestrian Team veteran Jonathon McCrea, 44, of East Windsor, CT, came the closest to catching Deslauriers but finished more than a second off the pace, guiding Aristoteles V home in a time of 38.79 for second place.  Colombia’s Juan Manuel Gallego was also clear in a time of 41.20 seconds riding Coulash van de Broy Z to finish third.

“Hester really thrives on grass fields,” said Deslauriers of the12-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by her mother, Lisa Deslauriers.  “He has a huge stride, so I try to use that to my advantage where I can.  I let him roll and then bring him back right in front of the jumps.  He’s been jumping on grass for the last several weeks now, and he’s feeling great.”

This year’s CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show marks Deslauriers’ first time competing in Ottawa in almost a decade.  The last time the young rider showed at Wesley Clover Parks, it was in the pony divisions.

“It was probably nine years ago that I was here showing ponies,” said Deslauriers, the daughter of 1984 World Cup Final winner Mario Deslauriers who also competed alongside his daughter, placing sixth and seventh with Bardolina 2 and Westbrook, respectively.  “It’s so cool to be back, because the last time I was here, it was such a different experience for me.  We’re happy to be here, and I’m really happy to come out with a win.”

In addition to Thursday’s $40,000 RBC Open Welcome, several other competitions were held on the grass grand prix at Wesley Clover Parks.  Melissandre Lincourt of Rosemere, QC, won the 1.25m Deloitte Open Jumper class riding Elmgravin while Ireland’s Daniel Coyle guided Essedon to victory in the 1.35m AMJ Campbell Open Jumper division.  In competition for junior and amateur competitors, 16-year-old Cydney Pavan of St. Catharines, ON, rode Easterforest to victory in the 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper class, sponsored by Sinclair Children’s Residence, while Nicole Walker of Aurora, ON, and Chaloubet won the 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper class, sponsored by Flow Water.

International show jumping competition continues throughout the weekend, highlighted by the $100,000 CSI3* Grand Prix at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, and the $35,000 CSI3* AECON Jumper Classic at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 23.

Family-friendly ‘Celebration of the Horse’ activities take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 21, 22 and 23.  Offering a kids’ zone with bouncy castles and slides, face painting, balloon and glitter artists, children’s jumps, demonstrations, and many more activities, there is something for children of all ages to enjoy.

Admission to the CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show is $5 a day at the gate, with weekly admission passes available for $20.  Children aged three and under are admitted free.  Parking at Wesley Clover Parks is free.

For more information on the CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show, visit www.wesleycloverparks.com.  Be sure to keep up with all the action by following Wesley Clover Parks on Facebook here.

For full results, click here or visit ottawa.showmanagementsystem.com.

The Government of Ontario has generously provided funding support for the Ottawa National and CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Shows.