July 18, 2003

Blainville, Quebec --- It was a family weekend at Blainville Equestrian Park as Francois Gauthier and his daughter, Josiane, both celebrated victory in the Blainville Reining International.

The father-daughter duo dominated the fourth annual Blainville Reining International, one of North America’s premiere reining events and a member of the prestigious Saddlesmith Series.

Originally from St- Hyacinthe, QC, Gauthier traveled to Blainville from his base in North Carolina to defend his title in the Open division. The 2002 World Equestrian Games team silver medallist did not disappoint, posting another winning score of 146.5 points riding Little Patrasha Gump to hold off Réjean Lévesque of Saint-Eugène, QC, who finished with one point behind aboard Olympe of Brennas. Placing third was another Quebec competitor, Lise Roy of Mascouche, QC, who rode Shenandoah Sailor to a score of 144.5.

While Gauthier claimed the Open division, daughter Josiane rode away the winner of the Non-Pro division. A score of 146 riding CS Sandblaster gave the younger Gauthier the win when Tennessee’s Jessica Keller failed to catch her score riding See Chex To Cash, instead posting 145 for second place. Andre de Bellefeuille of Saint-Hilaire, QC, placed a close third after obtaining a score of 144 with Bo Diddley Whiz.

For the second year in a row, the Blainville Reining International was selected as the only Canadian event to be included in the prestigious Saddlesmith Series. Each year, seven major reining events are selected to participate and must offer a minimum purse of $3,000 in the Open and the Non-Pro divisions.

Recently accepted as the first western discipline by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), reining is quickly gaining popularity throughout the world. A judged event designed to showcase the athletic ability of a ranch type horse in the confines of the competition arena, competitors are required to run one of ten approved patterns. Each pattern includes small, slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, 360 degree spins on the spot, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.

The Blainville Reining International is just one of four international equestrian competitions to be showcased at Blainville Equestrian Park. The final event on the agenda is the CDI-W Blainville Dressage International held July 17-20 and featuring the Dressage Musical Freestyle Extravaganza on Saturday evening. The event will act as the final Selection Trials for the Canadian Dressage Teams headed to the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic and the 2003 European Championships in England.

For more information, please contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202, fax: (450) 434-8209, or e-mail: info@classiqueblainville.com.

Results – Open Division
Rider Hometown Horse Points
1. François Gauthier North Carolina Little Patrasha Gump 146.5
2. Réjean Lévesque Saint-Eugène, QC Olympe of Brennas 145.5
3. Lise Roy Mascouche, QC Shenandoah Sailor 144.5