Quebec’s François Lamontagne Wins 2011 Jump Canada Cup

Francois Lamontagne of St-Eustache, QC, won the 2011 Jump Canada Cup riding Unik Circa, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Sarah Lemieux.

In its inaugural season, the Jump Canada Cup was well received with almost 140 horse and rider combinations collecting points in 31 classes held across Canada. Designed to assist in the development of Canada’s up-and-coming Grand Prix stars, riders participating in the Jump Canada Cup competed over courses of up to 1.45m in height. Once all the points were tallied, three of the sport’s future stars topped the standings.

Kicking-off the season in St. Lazare, QC, Lamontagne, 27, earned fourth place in the $10,000 Grand Prix at the Pépinière Horse Show and won the $25,000 Grand Prix at the St-Lazare Horse Show the following week with Unik Circa. At the Concours Hippiques du Parc—Printemps, the pair finished second in the $10,000 Tepq Qpet Grand Prix. During the Jumping Internationale de Blainville—Week 1, Lamontagne and Unik Circa were second in the $40,000 Grand Prix. The pair won the $15,000 Jump Canada Cup class during the second week of competition at the Jumping Internationale de Blainville. A 12th place finish in the last class of the season, the $60,000 Grand Prix of Rockwood at the Angelstone International Show Jumping Tournament, kept Lamontagne in the top spot to become the overall winner of the 2011 Jump Canada Cup with a total of 17,290 points.

“If you look at the number of horses and riders who competed in the series, to win is quite an honour,” said Lamontagne, who rode Unik Circa in the Jump Canada Cup classes this season for owner Sarah Lemieux. “For a catch-ride, it was certainly nice to win the Jump Canada Cup with Unik Circa.”

In a presentation held on Saturday, November 5, during the Royal Horse Show’s evening performance in Toronto, ON, Lamontagne received a $6,000 cash award from Jump Canada.

Brian Morton, 25, of Langley, BC, earned 14,850 points to finish second the 2011 Jump Canada Cup riding Spitfire, a 14-year-old French-bred gelding owned by Linda Opdycke. As a result, Morton was awarded $4,000 by Jump Canada.

Rounding out the top three in the Jump Canada Cup was Samantha Buirs, 24, of Langley, BC. Riding her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Total Touch, Buirs earned 14,510 points throughout the season and was awarded $1,000 by Jump Canada.

Source : equuscanada.com

François Lamontagne Crowned 2011 Talent Squad Champion

Toronto, Ontario — François Lamontagne of St-Eustache, QC, won the Jump Canada Talent Squad Final on Saturday, November 5, at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show. The 10-day international equestrian competition is held as part of the 89th edition of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair from November 4–13 in Toronto, ON.

Held over two days, the Talent Squad Final competition opened on November 4 with the $8,000 Alfred Rogers National Talent Squad Series Championship, Phase I, where Lamontagne and Underground des Hauts Droits, Ferme Lamontagne’s seven-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding, won the opening speed competition.

Lamontagne and Underground des Hauts Droits returned to the Ricoh Coliseum the following day to win the $10,000 Alfred Rogers National Talent Squad Series Championship, Phase II, with the only double clear ride with a jump-off time of 32.33 seconds.  With the back-to-back victories, Lamontagne was declared the 2011 National Talent Squad Final Champion.

“I am really happy because I won both classes, but I am especially pleased because this horse is a new one for me—I just got him in May,” said Lamontagne who was the winner of the 2008 Jump Canada Talent Squad Eastern Division riding Anton. “We started this season in the 1.10m division, and we progressed from there.

“I would like to thank my family and girlfriend, because without them I would not be here,” he added.

Tatiana Dzavik of Toronto, ON, claimed the Reserve Champion title riding Catwalk 19, an eight-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Dzavik and South Shore Farm. The pair finished in second place in both Phases.

“The Talent Squad is excellent for us,” said Dzavik. “Catwalk is eight-years-old, so he is still quite green. We are really proud of him, because we just got him in July and I was injured, so we did not make it into the ring until the beginning of August.”

Dzavik continued, “The Jump Canada Talent Squad is an excellent way to develop horses, and it was the perfect opportunity for us to compete at the Royal. This show has such a wonderful atmosphere and is a fantastic experience.”

The Jump Canada Talent Squad Series is a means of recognizing up-and-coming riders who are preparing to enter the grand prix ranks and gives them a platform to demonstrate their ability to become future members of the Canadian Equestrian Team.

About Jump Canada
Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level.  Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport.  For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit http://www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.

About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism.  A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry.  Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca. 

Source: Julie Cull, Equine Canada

Photo:
François Lamontagne of St-Eustache, QC, riding Underground des Hauts Droits, won the Jump Canada Talent Squad Final on Saturday, November 5, at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show. Photo Credit — Ben Radvanyi Photography

François Lamontagne Victorious at the Québec Grand-Prix Jumping

Blainville, July 10, 2011 – The first week of the Classique Internationale Blainville ended with the 1.40 m Québec Grand-Prix Jumping. Thanks to the support of the Government of Québec, the event came with a $40,000 prize. 37 rider-horse teams stepped up to the starting line, including Québec natives François Lamontagne, Laurence Addison, Stéphanie Morier, Mélissa Marcotte, Nicolas-Xavier Bélanger and Nicolas Bayzelon. Big names from the Canadian Equestrian Team were also in attendance. An 8-rider jump-off was necessary to call François Lamontagne the winner, followed by Yann Candele and Roberto Teran in third place.

The course designed by Sven Loewe was very technical, particularly at the onset of the double combination which was followed by an oxer, and in a triple combination that demanded tremendous reactivity and respect from the horses.  The run was comprised of 13 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts on a distance of 550 meters.  The time allowed for completion was 89 seconds.

First competitor to the course, Hugh Graham cleared a faultless run aboard Distant Star 3rd. A member of the Canadian Equestrian Team, Eliott Stone matched that performance, thus declaring a jump-off. Young Natalie Bova from Ontario overcame all challenges, while Laurence Addison, still honing her trade at this level, garnered two rail faults. Kelley Robinson, Lanie Thomas and Stéphanie Morier each took a penalty point for outrunning the clock. After a refusal at the very first obstacle, Nicolas Bayzelon managed a fine run. Nicolas-Xavier Bélanger and Mélissa Marcotte would have attained perfection, if not for an unfortunate fallen rail. Yann Candele signed off on a flawless performance with two of his horses, while François Lamontagne, who had previously taken four penalty points with his top horse, was impeccable on Unik Circa.

Comprised of 6 obstacles, the jump-off required the riders to cut a few turns and dash into great gallops to shave off precious seconds. Natalie Bova’s 42.72 seconds time was the one to beat, until Roberto Teran stopped the clock at 39.48 seconds. Faithful to his reputation as a great jump-off rider, Yann Candele completed the course in 37.99 seconds. François Lamontagne then turned on his competitive mode, and clocked out at 35.81 seconds. Last ones to the starting line, Yann Candele and his 2nd mount Game Ready performed the best time, but drew a rail fault. Having to make do with a 5th position overall, Candele still landed 2nd place with Azzaro Van’t Hagenhof.

Fresh off the course, François Lamontagne was very happy. “This is an extraordinary horse”, he said of Unik Circa. “He is the property of Sarah Lemieux, who rides him in 1.30 m events. I will continue to compete with him until Sarah reaches this level next year. She has a promising future with Unik Circa, who will be a great mount for her, at least to the Talent Squad”, he stated. Let us all take note: Sarah Lemieux will be a name to remember in the future!

The second week of the Classique Internationale Blainville gets underway July 13 to July 17, with International level classes counting towards the world rankings and Pan Am Games qualification on schedule. A World Cup Qualifier will take place on July 17. Family-oriented activities will also have much fun in store for kids and grown-ups alike. Situated north of Montreal, the Blainville Equestrian Park welcomes you from July 6 to 10, and from July 13 to 17 at 1025, chemin du Plan Bouchard, Highway 15, Exit 25, 450 621-8899, info@classiqueblainville.com, www.classiqueblainville.com.

Photo: François Lamontagne and Unik Circa – Credit : Yavuz

Results :

1st François Lamontagne / Unik Circa 0-0, 35.81
2nd Yann Candele / Azzaro Van’t Hagenhof 0-0, 37.99
3rd Roberto Teran / Vortex 0-0, 39.48
4th Natalie Bova / Belafonte 0-0, 42.72
5th Yann Candele / Game Ready 0-4, 34.87
6th Lauren Hunkin / Synergy Farm 0-4, 36.57
7th Eliott Stone / Caprilli Hsf 0-4, 39.81
8th Hugh Joseph Graham / Distant Star 0-8, 38.69
9th Kelley Robinson / Enzo 1 point
10th Lanie Thomas / Albion 1 point

Source : Laure Chazerand, Coordonnatrice des communications, Fédération équestre du Québec, tél. : 514 252-3053, 1 866 575-0515 poste 3402, cell. 514 209-8105, lchazerand@feq.qc.ca

Francois Lamontagne Wins Grand Prix of St. Lazare

“Francois Lamontagne won the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix on May 28 at the 2011 Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows.” Photo credit – Cealy Tetley, www.tetleyphoto.com

St. Lazare, Quebec – Francois Lamontagne of St. Eustache, QC, won the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix held Saturday, May 28, during the 37th annual Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows in St. Lazare, QC.

Last year, Lamontagne and Unik Circa were the runner-ups to Lauren Hunkin and Larry 0146 in the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix.  There was no settling for second this time around, however, as Lamontagne and Unik Circa claimed victory with the only double clear performance.

Unseasonably cold and rainy weather decreased the number of starters in the feature event to 17 horses.  Montreal native and 1976 Olympic Silver medalist, Michel Vaillancourt, set a challenging track in the grass grand prix field that produced three clear rounds.

Alexander Cousineau Denis of Knowlton, QC, was the first to challenge the shortened jump-off track, incurring eight faults with Vendetta M in a time of 42.50 seconds.  Lamontagne was up next and moved to the top of the leader board with a clear round in a time of 35.25 seconds.  As the final challenger, Toronto’s Tatiana Dzavik had one rail down riding Lasse to end her chances of victory, settling instead for second.

“I saw Tatiana last year doing all of the big FEI grand prix classes with her horse, so I didn’t want to play it safe because I knew she was going to get me,” said Lamontagne of his jump-off strategy.

Lamontagne and Unik Circa were reunited for their victory at St. Lazare.  The 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding had formerly been owned by a client of Lamontagne’s before being sold last fall.  While Unik Circa has been forming a solid partnership with his new owner and rider, Sarah Lemieux, Lamontagne was asked to ride the horse in the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix.

“I know the horse well enough that it was not an issue to take a pick-up ride,” said Lamontagne, 27.  “He’s a really talented horse.  At the jumps he is careful, and when you turn on the speed with this horse, he becomes even more careful.  He is a very competitive horse.”

Lamontagne also placed sixth in the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix with his own mount, Anton.  Earlier in May, the pair won a $25,000 Grand Prix in Saratoga, New York.  Lamontagne, who operates his training stable, Ferme Lamontagne, in St. Eustache, brought a total of 13 horses between his own and those of his students to compete each week in the Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows.

During the first week of competition, the Pépinière Horse Show, Stephanie Morier of St-Jean-Baptiste, QC, rode Tidam to victory in the $10,000 Pépinière Grand Prix, Presented by Sandridge Saddlery and System Fencing, on Saturday, May 21.

Marielle Perrault riding Jezzebel de Bromont claimed victory in the $3,000 Gladys Adam Hunter Derby, presented by Chateau Vaudreuil.  In its first year, the Hunter Derby attracted a strong field of entries to contest a course consisting of a wide array of well-decorated jumps including natural obstacles, log piles and split cedar jumps.

The St. Lazare Horse Show concluded on Sunday, May 29, with the $5,000 Val Wagner Memorial Speed Derby.  First proved to be best as the first rider on course, Montreal’s David Arcand, led the competition from start to finish riding Cherry Lady 10, owned by Euro Horse BVBA.  Laurence Noel also proved that first was best.  In her hunter classic debut, the 14-year-old, trained by Duncan Oswald and Holly Hallett, claimed victory in the $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Classic riding Richelieu.

Well-recognized for the charitable aspects of its competition, the Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows held a JustWorld Horseless Horse Show and party to benefit JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.

For more information on the Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows, please visit www.pepinierehorseshow.com.

$25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix – St. Lazare, Quebec

            Rider                                     Hometown                         Horse                     Faults     Time
1.         Francois Lamontagne           St. Eustache, QC                Unik Circa               0:0         35.25
2.         Tatiana Dzavik                      Toronto, ON                       Lasse                      0:4         38.68
3.         Alexander Cousineau Denis  Knowlton, QC                    Vendetta M             0:8         42.50
4.         John Kersley                         St. Andrews West, ON       Cantor 13                4
5.         James Gillam                         North Hatley, QC                Channel                  4
6.         Francois Lamontagne           St. Eustache, QC                Anton                      4
7.         Stephanie Morier                  St. Jean-Baptiste, QC         Tidam                      4
8.         Paul Halpern                         St. Lazare, QC                    London                   4
9.         Melissa Marcotte                   Levis, QC                            Well Time de Villa   4
10.       Kelley Robinson                     Kanata, ON                        Caberlay                 8

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
cell:  (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

The Season of Opportunity! Canada's Francois Lamontagne Wins Sunday's $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Ocala

OCALA, FL (March 7, 2011) -- Diversity seems to be the theme this season at HITS Ocala, as 10 different winners representing six different nations have claimed the victory in each of the 10 Grand Prix held at HITS Ocala, so far. In Sunday's $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Canada's Francois Lamontagne joined the list of this season's winners aboard his own Anton.

"This circuit is great, it does not discourage horses and riders, it encourages them," said Lamontagne. "I build a lot of good, young horses here."

Danny Foster of Canada designed a course that saw only two riders advance to the jump-off. Lamontagne went toe-to-toe with HITS Ocala veteran Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois, aboard Woodrun's Uppsala, who set the pace with four faults in 54.26 seconds.

"You know, it wasn't that easy," Lamontagne admitted. "I've been here since the Pre-Circuit weeks and even though my horse has been jumping really well, it was still tough. The vertical to the oxer to the vertical, all downhill, were tough."

Lamontagne and Anton left all the fences intact but suffered two time faults, which secured their victory. "Although Laura had a rail, I didn't want to just go in and be careful," said Lamontagne. "I knew if I went a little too slow, and ended up dropping the last rail, I wasn't going to win it. I needed to be slick and that plan turned out perfectly."

READ MORE HERE…

By www.HitsShows.com

Young Man on a Mission: François Lamontagne

By Karen Robinson

His name is popping up everywhere: dominating young horse divisions, winning Grand Prix classes, and in April this year, he was named the Cavalor ‘Athlete of the Month’ by Jump Canada.

François Lamontagne is steadily becoming a familiar name in the world of Canadian show jumping, and he’s doing it all according to a carefully thought-out plan that he laid out for himself at just 15 years of age.

“I had some good results at a young age, and that gave me the taste for doing it more,” he said during a brief quiet moment between weeks one and two of the Classique International Blainville, which takes place a short drive from his home base in St-Eustache. More is certainly what 26 year old François has now. At the first week of Classique Internationale Blainville in early July, where he finished second in the $40,000 Grand Prix with Anton, François had 18 horses from his stable at the competition. During week two, François and Anton went one better, claiming the $60,000 World Cup Grand Prix.

When François was seven years old and living in the small city of Saint- Georges, an hour south of Quebec City, his mother Aline started taking
riding lessons. She had always wanted to ride but had met with resistance from her father. François expressed a desire to take lessons too, and his mother was more than willing to oblige.

“I think she was really happy about it, because she bought me a pony really fast,” says François. His father Yvan, on the other hand, was less enthusiastic. “He wasn’t even coming to shows with my mom and me, but I guess he kind of learned to like it when he realized I wasn’t going to stop. Then he put a lot of money, time and energy into supporting me.”

François realized when he was quite young that riding was his passion, and that he wanted to pursue a career in the sport.
When he finished high school he made the decision to move away from Saint-Georges, which was not close enough to the
centre of the action.

“I thought it would be too small for what I wanted to do,” he explained. “I really enjoyed the regional circuit, but it’s hard to
have a big barn with customers that do ‘A’ shows there. It’s too far to Montreal.”

Before settling down in one location to develop a client base, François knew he had to further his education. Spending time
working in both the U.S. and Europe, he took away different but equally valuable lessons from both experiences.

“In the U.S., I learned a lot about how to take care of clients, and how to run a business and a barn. In Europe it’s another
kind of school. You ride a lot of horses.”

François arrived at the stable in Belgium where he was to work as a rider just a week before the FEI World Breeding
Jumping Championship for Young Horses. It was a leap into the deep end; he rode two five-year-old and two six-year-old
horses in the Championship.

“I had never ridden the horses before. I didn’t win but I did ok.”

He gained further experience that winter competing on the Sunshine Tour in Spain.

“It was a great experience. I had nine horses to show. When I came back in the spring to my first show in Canada, people
told me I was riding better. It was because I had ridden so much more while I was in Europe.”

When he was finished with the Sunshine Tour, it was quickly onto the next phase: to apply his newly earned skills to building
a business at home. Ferme Lamontagne has an excellent location, just 20 minutes from Blainville, and 30 minutes from
Montreal Airport.

“It’s like Palgrave’s location near Toronto,” says François, who had considered and rejected the idea of establishing himself
in south-western Ontario. “They already have enough good riders and big barns.”

He jokes that he is free to argue regularly with his partners in the farm, since they are his parents. Shortly after purchasing the
facility, which has 27 stalls, an indoor arena and a sand outdoor arena that he built, François had one client. Five years later,
his barn is now full. François enjoys the coaching he does, but he also admits that “when you coach you are not riding. If
you’re not riding you’re not developing yourself, though you do learn how to be a better coach to yourself by coaching others.”

While he doesn’t currently train with anyone himself, he feels fortunate to have riders like Yann Candele and Beth Underhill
whom he can approach with a problem. He also keeps a close eye on all the top riders when he finds himself in their
company. “You learn a lot just watching riders like Ian Millar and Eric Lamaze – and it doesn’t cost you anything.”

François first began to register on the national radar when he won the eastern division of the Jump Canada Talent Squad
Series with Anton in 2008. Since then, he and Anton have proven themselves in Grand Prix events in both Florida and
Canada. François describes Anton, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood that he owns, as a ‘Barbie horse’ with a head like an
Arabian.

“He’s little, sensitive and careful,” says François. “He’s also a bit spooky, but he has a really big heart and tries his best.”

Anton is backed up by two other Grand Prix horses and three young horses in François’ stable. He says that Europeans
laugh when he tells them he hasn’t yet shown at Spruce Meadows, since it’s in his own country. “I want to be ready for
Spruce Meadows when I go. I want to make sure I have a good horse.”

With a full barn and plenty of horses to show, François doesn’t have time for much else. Fortunately, his girlfriend Elise
Boucher rides and enjoys helping with the horses. “I don’t have much spare time but I like it like that. When I have some
free time I look on the internet at results of shows in Europe or the U.S.”

And maybe just a little bit of time is dedicated to thinking about the next big goal: to be on the Canadian Show Jumping Team.

Quebec's Francois Lamontagne Continues to Dominate Young Horse Series

August 5, 2010 - Bromont, Quebec - The fourth event the eastern division of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series took place on Saturday, July 31, during the CSI3* L'International Bromont II in Bromont, QC.

Francois Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, QC, won the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Division riding Arise Z, his seven-year-old grey Zangersheide mare by Animo II and out of a Calando I mare. Lamontagne imported Arise Z from The Netherlands as a four-year-old. The pair had the fastest time in the jump-off to secure the win.

"There was big competition; I was up against Yann Candele!" said Lamontagne, 26, who was coached in Bromont by Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill. "Usually, when Yann goes fast and clear, nobody can beat him, so I was so happy to win. If Arize Z does well in the Young Horse Finals this year, I think I will use her as my Talent Squad horse next season."

Lamontagne's quick jump-off time left Hudson, ridden by Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, in second place. Owned by Susan Grange, Hudson is a seven-year-old chestnut selle francais gelding by Epsom d'Utah and out of a mare by Yarlands Summer Song.

Landing in third place was Susan Horn aboard Balou T, a seven-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding owned by Kingsfield Farm of Bolton, ON. Balou T, sired by Balou de Roulet and out of a Gervantus I mare, also had a double clear performance.

Lamontagne made another trip to the winner's circle after winning the Six-Year-Old Division, this time riding Independence Day 3E, a bay Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by Mudstyle Inc. Independence Day 3E was bred in Canada by KingRidge Stables of King, ON, and is by Polyfax out of an Emilion mare. The pair had the fastest time in the jump-off by almost two seconds to secure victory.

"I felt really confident in this class," said Lamontagne of the Six-Year-Old Division, which he has already won twice before this season with Independence Day 3E, first at the Beaulieu Summer Classic I from June 26-27 followed by the Jumping Internationale de Blainville I from July 7-11.

"The owner wants me to keep him for a few years, build the horse, and hopefully take him to the grand prix level. He may be my next big mount! He is taller than Anton, but still light and careful, with a bigger stride," said Lamontagne, comparing Independence Day 3E to his current grand prix mount, Anton.

Lamontagne says he will definitely compete at the Jump Canada Young Horse Series Finals in September at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON, with Independence Day 3E, and will be careful to give him all the rest he needs, saying, "It will be all flatwork and turn-out for him up until the Finals. He deserves it!"

Taking second place was Riva, ridden by Jay Hayes for owner Summerhill Farm. The pair also had a double clear performance. Bred in Canada, Riva is a bay Canadian Warmblood mare by Rio Grande.

Finishing in third place was Mélissandre Lincourt aboard S Class, owned by South Shore Farm of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC. S Class, a chestnut Dutch Warmblood mare by Mermus R and out of an Indoctro mare, also jumped double clear.

Source: Starting Gate Communications

Blainville, QC - July 18, 2010 - The impressive $60,000 World Cup Qualifier was snagged by Québec rider Francois Lamontagne and his young horse Anton. The pair topped the class finishing the jump-off in a double-clear 37.06 seconds. Lamontagne was given a cooler, champagne, and rosette along with the large percentage of the prize money for his amazing finish. Earning the second place honors was Ljubov Kochetova (RUS) and Aslan who also completed both courses fault-free.

Linda Allen designed the large, technical course for today's World Cup Qualifier, which was held in the Grand Prix Ring at the Blainville Equestrian Park. The first round included 16 jumping efforts, which featured a triple bar, a liverpool, an oxer-vertical double combination, and a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination. The most difficult obstacle proved to be the double combination, which was very technical and caused six riders to accrue faults.

Four riders were able to complete the first round without fault and advanced to jump-off. They began over the very large triple bar and made a bending line to a single vertical. They then had a long gallop to another single vertical before making a sharp right turn to the last to fences in the triple combination. Finally, riders made a sharp right turn to a single vertical and then galloped home over a single oxer.

Ljubov Kochetova was the first the first rider to complete a first round effort with Aslan and the first to tackle the jump-off course. The pair had a consistent gallop throughout the course and Aslan made an incredible effort over each fence. They galloped through the timers in 38.59 seconds to set the pace and eventually earn the second place prize.

"Today's course was very good for the class," noted Kochetova. "It was technically difficult and it was long so you needed a very strong horse. The ring at Blainville is very large and the course designer used the whole area."

Kochetoca added, "I enjoy jumping Aslan because and he is the best horse for me. Our next step will be aiming for the 2012 Olympic Games."

Next in the ring to show over the short course was hometown hero Francois Lamontagne and his stellar mount Anton. The duo picked up a quick pace to the first fence and never held back. As they nimbly made their way over each of the obstacles the pair lengthened their gallop to the final fence and soared over it with ease. They stopped the clock at 37.06 seconds to take over the lead and eventually win the class.

"The course for today was big and I was not sure how my horse would do because we do not have much experience at this level," commented Lamontagne. "He is a smaller horse and he doesn't have the biggest stride. He goes with his heart and if you really want it he's going to give it to you."

Ainsley Vince qualified for the jump-off aboard Frieda and her pace kept up with Lamontagne as she made her way through the course. Unfortunately, the pair's quick gallop to the final fence proved to be costly as they took the back rail off the oxer. The duo broke the beam at 36.33 seconds for the third place honors.

Lauren Hunkin and Larry 0146 were the final pair to move on to the jump-off, despite a very hard rub over one of the verticals during the first round. The duo was making an excellent effort to catch Lamontagne but they had a difficult time coming into the double combination and it caused them to stop at the "B" portion. Larry 0146 was thrown off his game and also had a rail at the final fence for eight jumping faults and nine time faults, earning the fourth place award and sealing Lamontagne's victory.

"For the jump-off, I wanted to be clear and sharp enough that the other riders had to chase me," explained Lamontagne after the victory gallop. "I know Ljubov from this winter so I know what she is able to do, she is able to win. Lauren is very fast and usually faster than me, and Ainsley Vince has a lot of experience. I knew that I was the underdog going into this."

Lamontagne began showing Anton in the 1.15m classes three years ago and he has worked hard to bring him to this level. Next week plans to compete at the International Bromont Horse Show and he hopes to compete in more FEI classes. "I think I am able to compete at that level with this horse, but at the same time I do not want to go too fast and put too much pressure on my horse."

The young rider is a Quebec native and is thrilled to have a victory in his hometown. "It's really special for me to win here because there are a lot of people that know me," he smiled. "I spend many weeks here in the summer, it's my backyard."

Today marked the final day of competition at Jumping Blainville and it produced a large number of spectators as they came to view the world-class competition and the Concourse D'Elegance car show. The exciting hometown victory for Francois Lamontagne and Anton in the $60,0000 World Cup Qualifier proved to be the perfect ending to the wonderful week of competition.

For more information about Jumping Blainville please visit www.classiqueblainville.com.

RESULTS:

$60,000 World Cup Qualifier

Source: Phelps Sport

Photo : Pro Action Photo

Francois Lamontagne Dominates Young Horse Divisions

June 29, 2010 – Ste-Justine-de-Newton, Quebec – The second event the eastern division of the Jump Canada Young Horse Series took place June 26 and 27 during the Beaulieu's Summer Classic II in Ste-Justine-de-Newton, QC.

Francois Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, QC, won the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Division riding Arise Z, his seven-year-old grey Zangersheide mare by Animo II and out of a Calando I mare. The pair had the fastest time in the jump-off by almost three seconds to secure the win.

“I was last in the ring and Candidate du Marquet, who went before me, is a tough one to beat, but my horse was really good,” said Lamontagne, who imported Arise Z from the Netherlands as a four-year-old. “She doesn't always look fast, but she has a big stride. Plus, she isn’t a typical mare; she is very consistent and never gets hot or excited in the jump-off.

“I was really happy with her performance,” continued Lamontagne. “She may not be the most powerful horse, but she is a bit like an equitation horse; she always jumps round. She has great bloodlines, too. I have high hopes for her. You will definitely be seeing us at the Young Horse Final this year.”

Lamontagne’s fast jump-off time pushed Candidate du Marquet, ridden by Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, to second place. Owned by Emmanuelle Bolduc, Candidate du Marquet is an eight-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood mare by Canadian River and out of a Randel Z mare that Covert-Lawrence began riding this past winter.

Landing in third place was Melissa Marcotte aboard Well Time de Villa d'Arto, her seven-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding. Well Time de Villa d'Arto, sired by Indoctro and out of a Voltaire mare, had the fastest four fault performance.


Lamontagne made another trip to the winner’s circle after winning the Six-Year-Old Division, this time riding Independence Day 3E, a bay Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by Mudstyle Inc. Independence Day 3E was bred in Canada by KingRidge Stables of King, ON, and is by Polyfax out of an Emilion mare. The pair produced the only double clear performance to take victory.

“This horse has been winning from the beginning,” said Lamontagne, 26. “He is a big, tall horse but is really careful and light at the fences. He is great to ride and so competitive for his age.”

Taking second place was Milestone, ridden by John Kersley for owner Sandra Babich. The pair had eight faults in the jump-off. Bred in Canada by Charles M. Perrutel, Milestone is a grey selle francais gelding by Elan de la Cour by a Quito de Baussy mare.

Lamontagne also took third place, piloting his own Uppercut Chavannais to an eight fault performance in the jump-off.

“She is greener than my other horses,” noted Lamontagne of the bay Belgian Sport Horse mare by Quinar and out of a mare by Papillion Rouge. “Sometimes you just have to take your time with a horse. She may be a late bloomer, but she has a tonne of talent and potential.”


The Five-Year-Old Division was won by Empire 181, a grey Hannoverian gelding guided to victory by Paul Halpern of St. Lazare, QC. Owned by Wynbrook Farm and sired by Embassy I out of a Foxhunter dam, Empire 181 had four faults in the fastest time in the jump-off to secure the win.

Lamontagne also had four faults in the jump-off to place second riding Galatée du Roset. Owned by Cathleen Mathers, Galatée du Roset is a bay Swiss Warmblood mare by Baloubet du Rouet and out of Gaelle du Roset by Misterman.

Véronique Alary finished in third position aboard her own bay Canadian Warmblood gelding, Dynamo, after incurring four faults in the first round. Bred in Canada by South Lane Farm, Dynamo is by Dr. Pepper and out of a Singular Joter mare.


Winning the Four-Year-Old Division was Beaulieu’s Heartbreaker, ridden by Keith Reid for owner Bea Jarzynska. Bred in Canada by the competition's host, Beaulieu Farm of Ste-Justine-de-Newton, Beaulieu’s Heartbreaker is a bay selle luxembourgeois stallion by Heartbreaker and out of a Cassini I dam. The pair had one rail down late in the course to give them a performance score of 45 out of a possible 50, and was awarded 38 out of a possible 50 points for style, giving them a total of 83 points.

Taking second place was Alison Moore aboard Capi Rossi, owned by Mikali Farms of Kanata, ON. Capi Rossi is a grey Danish Warmblood stallion by Carano and out of a Solos Landtinus mare. Capi Rossi had one rail down for 45 performance points, and was awarded 33 points for style for a total of 78 points.

Jumping into third position was Free Spirit, ridden by Colleen Loach for owner and breeder Peter Barry. Free Spirit had one rail down for 45 points and was awarded 32.5 points for style for a total of 77.5 points, placing them a close third behind Moore and Capi Rossi. Bred in Canada, Free Spirit is a registered Hannoverian mare by Freedom Z and out of a mare by Primitive Rising.

Source: Starting Gate Communications

François Lamontagne takes the 2nd and 3rd place in the $25 000 Grand Prix of Beaulieu’s Summer Classic

Another Grand Prix win for François Lamontagne and a 2nd place in the Talent Squad at the Concours Hippique du Parc Printemps !

Francois Lamontagne Named Cavalor 'Athlete of the Month' for April

Julie Cull
Equine Canada
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator
Tel: 613-248-3433 ext 136
jcull@equinecanada.ca

Ottawa, Ontario — Jump Canada has selected Francois Lamontagne as the Cavalor 'Athlete of the Month' for April.

Lamontagne of St-Eustache, QC, won the $30,000 Ocala Horse Properties LLC Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc., held Sunday, April 4, at the fifth annual Ocala Jumping Classic in Ocala, FL.

From a starting field of 26 entries, Lamontagne was the last of three riders to go in the jump-off riding Anton, his 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Lux Z. The pair claimed the win with the only double clean effort and was awarded $9,000 in prize money for the victory.

“I am really glad to be included in the group of athletes who have won this prestigious award,” said Lamontagne, 26, who was the Eastern Division winner of the 2008 Jump Canada National Talent Squad Series. “I decided to bring my horse back slowly after competing at the 2009 Royal and the plan seems to be working. My goal is to concentrate on national grand prix competition this season with Anton.”

Lamontagne added, “My thanks go to Cavalor for sponsoring the Cavalor 'Athlete of the Month'.”

As the Cavalor 'Athlete of the Month' for April, Lamontagne receives a gift certificate from title sponsor Cavalor Inc.

Cavalor is now generously entering in to its fourth year of sponsorship of the 'Athlete of the Month' program. To date in 2010, Cavalor has recognized top Canadian show jumping athletes including Eric Lamaze (January), John Pearce (February) and Yann Candele (March).

François Lamontagne sur Anton Photo : ESI Photography

Francois Lamontagne Wins Fifth Annual Ocala Jumping Classic

Source : Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Adapté par Serge Gaudry communications@feq.qc.ca

Ocala, Florida – Canada’s Francois Lamontagne won the $30,000 Ocala Horse Properties LLC Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge, Inc., held Sunday, April 4, at the fifth annual Ocala Jumping Classic in Ocala, FL.

Lamontagne of St-Eustache, QC, was the third and final rider to join the jump-off from a starting field of 26 entries.  Riding Paparazzi, Aaron Vale of Morristown, FL, opened the jump-off with a scorching fast round in a time of 38.09 seconds but paid the price with a rail at the final obstacle, a double combination set by course designer Mauricio Garcia.

Michael Kirby of Madison, CT, was next to take up the jump-off challenge riding KT Undercover and although he opted for a more conservative approach, his hopes for victory ended with a fallen rail.  Last to go, Lamontagne was clear to claim the win, and $9,000 in prize money, riding Anton, his 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Lux Z.

“I had the advantage of being last,” said Lamontagne, 26.  “I know Aaron Vale is always fast and hard to beat, but then he had one down in the jump-off.  Michael went slow, but he had a rail.  Normally, I always go fast in the jump-off and have a rail, so this time I decided to play it safe.  I jumped clear and I won.”

Together, Lamontagne and Anton won the eastern division of the Jump Canada Talent Squad Series in 2008.  This winter, they successfully competed at the grand prix level at the HITS Ocala circuit before taking a two-week break and returning to competition at the Ocala Jumping Classic, produced by Hayes Co.

“I have had Anton for two and a half years, and we are starting to really know each other and become very competitive,” said Lamontagne.  “He’s a clever horse, and very sweet.  He is like a toy, like a Barbie horse; he has a head like an Arabian and four white socks.  He is a really nice, really gentle horse.”

This year’s Ocala Jumping Classic was held at a new venue, the training center of New Zealand Olympian Sharn Wordley.

“The show grounds were very nice, and the ring had really, really good footing,” said Lamontagne.  “It was a very friendly show and since there is only ring, everyone is together and you can talk.”

More than $70,000 in prize money was awarded over the three-day Ocala Jumping Classic, where the grand prix ring featured all-weather Wordley Martin Equestrian footing.  Vale and Paparazzi won Saturday’s $10,000 1.40m Modified Grand Prix while four-time Colombian Olympian Manuel Torres riding Chambacunero won the $10,000 1.40m competition presented by Brody Robertson Show Jumps.  Another Colombian rider, Roberto Teran, sped to victory on Ferrari in the $5,000 1.30m Modified Grand Prix, Presented by Wordley Martin Equestrian LLC, while Fernando Cardenas riding Quincy Car won the $5,000 1.20m Classic.

“We would like to thank all of the exhibitors, and the great team that works for Hayes Co., who helped make the fifth annual Ocala Jumping Classic a great event, and give special thanks to Sharn Wordley and Beth Goodwin for allowing us to run the show at their facility,” said Ainsley Hayes, Manager of the Ocala Jumping Classic.  “It was a great weekend, and we were especially lucky to have perfect weather after a long, cold winter.”

Hayes Co. wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Ocala Jumping Classic sponsors including Archer Farms, Brody Robertson Show Jumps, Brook Ledge Inc., Equine Waste Recycling, ESI Photography, Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club, Grand Prix/Frantisi, Judy’s Tack Shop, Kimberden, Ocala Horse Properties LLC, Omega Alpha, Point Two, Stalls Etc., The Sanctuary, Waterworks, Wild Horses and Wordley Martin Equestrian LLC.

For more information on the fifth annual Ocala Jumping Classic, please visit www.hayesco.ca, or contact Ainsley Hayes at e-mail: ainsley@hayesco.ca or cell: (416) 846-8419.  Hayes Co. also manages the two-week National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON, from August 11-15 and 18-22, 2010.

$30,000 Ocala Horse Properties LLC Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge, Inc.

ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS
“Canada’s Francois Lamontagne riding Anton won the $30,000 Ocala Horse Properties LLC Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge, Inc., on Sunday, April 4, at the Ocala Jumping Classic in Ocala, FL.”
Photo credits – ESI Photography
Photographs may be used free of charge in relation to the above press release.
Photographs also available in high resolution, please e-mail jward@startinggate.ca.

Lamontagne captures LIVERight Cup

By GLENN MacDONALD Sports Reporter gmacdonald@herald.ca
Sat. Oct 10 - 4:46 AM

When you fall off the horse, you have to get back on.

Francois Lamontagne took that saying to another level Friday at Exhibition Park.

The 25-year-old rider from Saint-Eustache, Que., who fell off his student’s horse Unik Circa during Wednesday’s practice run for the $40,000 LIVERight Cup Grand Prix, rode the same horse to victory at the Maritime Fall Fair’s premier show jumping extravaganza.
Lamontagne posted a clean run in a time of 32.31 to best a field of four horses in a jump-off.

He brought his own horse, Anton, to the event and rode him to a sixth-place finish. But it was with Unik Circa, which he had trouble controlling less than 48 hours earlier, that he found success in front of an estimated 1,500 spectators.

"I felt more comfortable with (Anton) but I adjusted my ride with (Unik Circa) and tried to be more efficient," Lamontagne said following his first Grand Prix victory. "I tried not to be too perfect with him. And it worked.

"I sometimes take this horse but never for such a long Grand Prix. You can’t ride too soft or too easy. You have to go with it. And when you give everything you have, he’s going to give everything he has too. It was just one of those moments," added Lamontagne, recalling Wednesday’s mishap. (He wasn’t hurt in the fall.)

Margie Gayford aboard Showgirl was second in a time of 33.18 while Paul Halpern, formerly of Halifax, rode Rolls Royce to a third-place finish (34.19). Nineteen-year-old David Arcand and his ride Tarzan (35.18) was fourth in the jump-off.
Each had double clean performances through the first two rounds.

"I was quite happy with our ride," said Halpern, who has lived in St. Lazare, Que., for the past 12 years. "I saw Francois go and he was extremely fast so my plan actually was not to catch him but slip into a nice second. But I was just off the pace so I slipped into third.
"But my horse jumped three clean rounds so I couldn’t be happier."

The Grand Prix, which was known as the Kubota Cup for the past four years, is a Jump Canada qualifying event and a significant precursor to the $100,000 Canadian championship at next month’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
Lamontagne said he will be riding Anton at the Royal Winter Fair.

Notes — Fifteen horses took part in Friday’s event, down from the record 30 horses that competed last year. ... Dartmouth native Angela Covert-Lawrence, who also hails from St. Lazare, had a clean first round and nearly made it to the jump off. But her eight year-old Dutch warmblood Utan knocked off the last rail of the second round and failed to advance. She finished eighth overall.

The International Bromont : François Lamontagne wins the Via Rail Double Slalom !
Bromont, August 1st, 2009 – The eagerly awaited $25,000 Via Rail Double Slalom made quite an impact
on this second to last day of the International

The eagerly awaited $25,000 Via Rail
Double Slalom made quite an impact on this second to last day of the International

Bromont presented by CN. The concept is simple : a team made up of two riders performs the same course in parallel. The fastest will earn a spot in the quarter-final, then on to the semi-final, to at last reach the podium. Among the competitors were speed masters Yann Candele, François Lamontagne, Mario Deslauriers and Nathalie Mathers. For the first time, Vanessa Robert of St-Bruno was also in the running. Eight teams signed on for the challenge. Yann Candele, François Lamontagne, Krystel Roch of Quebec, Vanessa Robert, Ontario resident Taylor Bland and Mario Deslauriers took to the course for the quarter-final.

In the semi-final, Yann Candele, François Lamontagne, Vanessa Robert and Taylor Bland were still standing. We salute Mario Deslauriers’ sportsmanship in helping Ms. Bland, a young rider, reach the semi-final.

In the finale, it was François Lamontagne over Yann Candele, and Vanessa Robert dominated. The duel would ultimately take place between the two Québec natives. Although Vanessa Robert owns the best times throughout the competition, François Lamontagne charges ahead and gives it his all. The two riders are locked in such a close race that a photo finish is necessary to determine the winner.

François Lamontagne of St-Eustache, Sport Canada’s Excellence Young Athlete for 2009, claims victory with his horse Unik Circa.

Source : Laure Chazerand, Fédération équestre du Québec,
Communications Coordinator, lchazerand@feq.qc.ca, Cell. 514 209-8105.

Programme de développement de l’excellence:
François Lamontagne awarded “excellence” status in show jumping!

Source: Serge Gaudry communications@feq.qc.ca

François Lamontagne has been recognized and awarded « excellence » status in show jumping by the Féderation du Québec (FEQ) through its Programme de développement de l’excellence for 2009. He thereby joins a select group of Olympic and high-level riders competing at the international level. Among the 18 riders recognized at the national level, the 25 year old show jumper has become only the third Quebecer to achieve this status, along with Olympic dressage rider Evi Strasser of Ste-Adèle and Mario Deslauriers, who was awarded this status in 2006.

The goal of the Programme de développement de l’excellence is to support promising athletes in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines: dressage, eventing and show jumping. Depending on how they are categorized: Espoir, Relève, Élite or Excellence, riders selected for the program have access to various training programs, bursaries and tax credits. François Lamontagne was one of 85 candidates that applied to the FEQ program for 2009. The “excellence” category, unlike the others, is run by Sport Canada, which is part of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This select group of athletes receives yearly financial support from the Athlete Assistance Program (APP) so that they may pursue their studies or their professional careers while continuing to train seriously and compete successfully at the highest level.

François Lamontagne is a certified Level 2 FEQ/Equine Canada coach. He finished first on the Talent Squad Circuit in 2008. This circuit is run by Jump Canada and comprises 17 Eastern Division competitions. The program aims to identify and recognize talented riders who are preparing to compete at the Grand Prix level. In addition, François won the gold medal at the 2008 Tournée équestre provinciale du Québec for the second consecutive year and finished first overall for the season in the 1.45m Open Division. He has owned Ferme Lamontagne in St-Eustache since 2005. He devotes his time to training his horses and coaching riders, some of whom have been selected as Élite, Relève and Espoir through the FEQ’s 2009 Programme de développement de l’excellence.

From the Florida circuit, François commented, “It is a tremendous honor for me to be on the same list as Éric Lemaze and Ian Miller. This status has to be earned each year and in the world of horses there are no guarantees. If your horse is injured you are out of the running. That is why this year, I will be competing with several horses on the Talent Squad Circuit and if everything goes well, I will try my luck at the World Cup qualifiers.”

François Lamontagne is a champion, mature beyond his years. We will surely hear his name in the future, not just here at home, but elsewhere as well, which is great for the sport and for Quebec.

For additional information, please go to the Sport Canada or Federation équestre du Quebec websites.