BROMONT, Canada--Phillip Dutton on Denim scored 29.3 to lead the CCI4*-S after two days of dressage on Friday, June 5 at the Bromont CCi.
Phillip Dutton on Denim (Photo by Cealy Tetley)Denim, who was sixth in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park in 2025, came into the weekend as the second-highest rated horse in the division.
He’s had 10 starts at this CCI4*-S level and this score beat his 30.4 six-run average dressage score.
Dutton said that he felt this performance was one of the gelding’s best performances to date.
Dutton was also both second and third in the CCI2*-L with Darwinn and United Mara, respectively.
Lucienne Bellissimo on Kitsch Couture HPK placed second in the CCI4*-S, scoring a 34.1, and Sharon White, the CCI4*-L with Claus 63, on Jaguars Duende scored 34.5 for third place following the dressage.
While on Claus 63 leads theCCI4*-L on a score of 31.4 going into the cross country.
White on Claus had placed fourth in the Lexington CCI4*-S in Kentucky in April.
“HE WAS SO with me. Nothing was forced. it was very fluid,” White said. “I'm thrilled. I’m slightly disappointed by the score, but you know what? It's not a dressage competition, and it's all fine. He was in an uphill, beautiful, easy balance, he was fluid, he was right there. So I was just so happy with him.
Sharon White on Claus 63 (Photo by Cealy Tetley)“It's such a proper cross-country test and challenge, so I really thought it was the thing to do with him,” she said. “It's a great fitness challenge, and again, I'm working on some things, so I didn't do Kentucky (five-star), so I really am happy with the cross-country course, there's enough to do. I think it'll be exactly what he needs. Sometimes you have to just go back and get real solid, and that's what we're doing.”
Isabelle Bosley on Conner is second after this first phase of competition with a 32.5
Katie Malensek on Valeska leads in the CCI3*-L on a dressage score of 30.9.
“We've actually spent an intermittent amount of time at the three-star level over the last few years, but between me sort of taking a little bit of time last year to do some show jumping and brush up on that, she kind of missed a season then,” Malensek said. “So we just kind of have taken our time getting her a little stronger and finally felt like this was a good weekend to come up and see how she feels around a track like Bromont.”
Malensek works full-time as a veterinarian and competes as an amateur for Canada,.
“The last year or so, she's just really developed her strength and been able to hold her balance better in general, and honestly, she's just so beautiful!” Malensek said. “I just try to stay out of her way and make her job as easy as possible, and be accurate, and honestly, she's got such a lovely way about her. If I can just showcase that, then I feel like I've done a good job.”
Canadian Olympian Colleen Loach on Chiaro Z Excaliburo is second going into cross country with a 32.5, and Ariel Grald is third on Obalix with a score of 33.9.
Phillip Dutton and Darwinn were the best of day two in the CCI2*-L, taking second place
The leaders of the two CCI2*-L divisions remained unchanged on Friday despite some strong scores from the second day of competition.
One rider – Olivia Dutton with Dresden – remained in the U25 CCI2*-L, and they made a solid effort to score a 29.3 for second place behind Janelle Fleming and Global Cassaro 3.
In the senior CCI2*-L, Lucienne Bellissimo remained unchallenged with the experienced Dyri, and Dutton is second and third with Darwinn and United Mara.
With rain in the forecast, officials opted to change the running order of divisions for Saturday’s cross-country to ensure the top levels had the best conditions possible.
The CCI4*-L division will be the first to see beginning at 9 am.
This phase always presents a stiff challenge, both in jumping technicality as well as on the clock. The optimum time is notoriously difficult to obtain, with no CCI4*-L riders managing to catch the time since 2019.
