Chris Kappler Continues to Dominate at Blainville Jumping International

PHOTO CREDIT: "Chris Kappler, here riding VDL Oranta, claimed victory for the second day in a row at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International." Photo (c)2006 Cealy Tetley

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Kenneth Kraus of Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Blainville, Quebec - July 6, 2006 -For the second day in a row, it was American Chris Kappler who stood in the winner's circle at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International on Thursday, July 6. The international show jumping competition takes place from July 5-9 at the Blainville Equestrian Park in Blainville, QC.

Having claimed the win on Wednesday riding VDL Maseratie, Kappler brought VDL Oranta out of the barn for Thursday's victory in the Open Jumper - Power and Speed. Only two riders managed to go clear over the first round course set by course designer Conrad Homfeld. Kappler went first, posting another clear round over the shortened jump-off course in a time of 39.47 seconds. Roberto Teran, a native of Colombia who rides for KingRidge Stables of King, ON, took his shot riding the 14-year-old Westphalian stallion, Polyfax, but a rail down at the second-last obstacle dashed his chances of victory.

Time faults kept two riders from moving forward to the jump-off. Chris Pratt of Belfountain, ON, exceeded the time allowed by less than a second to place third riding Rivendell, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Susan Grange. In August, Pratt and Rivendell will represent Canada at the World Championships in Aachen, Germany. American competitor Eric Hasbrouck suffered the same fate when the timers showed that he had failed to navigate the course in the requisite 56 seconds, placing him fourth with Lavaletta.

With the fastest four-fault effort, Amy Millar of Perth, ON, placed fifth riding Sweet Dreams, a 15-year-old selle francais gelding.

One of the longest running international equestrian competitions in all of Canada, the 18th Blainville Jumping International continues at 8 a.m. on Friday. A major stop on the Canadian show jumping circuit, Blainville serves as a World Cup Qualifying event, offering coveted World Cup qualifying points towards the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA. Over 700 horses will compete over the five-day tournament for more than $170,000 in prize money.

Featured events include Friday's $20,000 Open Welcome while Saturday afternoon brings the $25,000 Challenge Desjardins Modified Grand Prix followed by the crowd-pleasing $3,500 Horse-Dog Relay. The tournament culminates with Sunday's $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier.

Located just north of Montreal, the Blainville Equestrian Park features a variety of attractions for family members of all ages. For more information, please visit www.classiqueblainville.com or contact Blainville International at tel: (450) 434-8202 ext. 108, e-mail:

classiqueblainville@videotron.ca.

Open Jumper Power and Speed 1.45m - Final Results

1. Chris Kappler Pittstown, NJ VDL Oranta 0:0 39.47

2. Roberto Teran Colombia Polyfax 0:4 39.65

3. Chris Pratt Belfountain, ON Rivendell 1

4. Eric Hasbrouck Bedford, NY Lavaletta 1

5. Amy Millar Perth, ON Sweet Dreams 4

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