Back at Bromont

Every year, I try to attend the Bromont Horse Trials. The event continues to be one of my favourite horse shows. I have been going for years — as a competitor, a photographer and a spectator.

The event is still run on part of the course from the 1976 Olympics. I was there for the Olympics and this is one reason why it has a special place in my heart. That was my introduction to eventing; it got me hooked. A decade after the Olympics, it was the site of one of my biggest wins — when it was still run as a full three-day event (with 4-phase endurance).

As a photographer, it is a beautiful event to shoot, with great fences and nice scenery; as a spectator, it is a wonderful place to watch with so much visible from a few key areas on course.

Although it’s been quite some time since I competed at Bromont, this year was special: “my” horse, Jake, was competing with his new owner, Caitlin. I took Jake from barely broke to his first year of competition. In that first year, he proved an aptitude for eventing that one would expect based on his lineage bred. With Caitlin, Jake has blossomed into a star. Together, they moved quickly through the ranks, and at Bromont, Caitlin hoped to qualify for the Young Rider Championships in August. They did me proud! Caitlin and Jake won their division — and qualified for Young Riders!

What a great weekend! Bromont is not far from our family cottage where I spent many summers as a kid, riding in local fairs and horse shows. Even without this year’s excitement, it always feels a bit like coming home to be at Bromont.