From Eventing Nation by Jenni Autry
Cross country proved to be the deciding factor in the CIC2* and both CIC* divisions today at the Bromont CIC Three-Day Event, with time penalties shuffling the standings to give us new faces across all three leaderboards.
Boyd Martin had a solid day across the board here in Quebec, finishing all three of his CIC3* rides inside the top 15 and taking the win in the CIC2*. He piloted Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin’s Contestor, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Contango X Jer’s Princess, by Killer Jer), to the win on his dressage score of 32.2.
After overnight leaders Jessica Phoenix and Bentley’s Best were eliminated on refusals, Boyd and “Cortez” could afford to be 1 second over the optimum time of 5 minutes, 50 seconds and still take the win. But they didn’t need it, cruising around 2 seconds inside the time to seal the deal.
The win is especially impressive considering things did not go to plan for Cortez at Millbrook two weeks ago, where he was withdrawn following show jumping due to a rocky round. Boyd went back to the drawing board with his coach Richard Picken and very nearly took a victory lap yesterday after Cortez delivered a super clear show jumping round.
“It was a fantastic performance by my old mate Cortez. He’s had the comeback of all comebacks after a disaster at Millbrook,” Boyd said. “To come back and win at Bromont — it goes to show what two weeks of training can do. He’s a wonderful galloper and great jumper. He’s owned by the breeders, Denise and Pierre, and is one of their favorite horses. I’m very lucky to have them on board.”
