Wellington, FL – February 24, 2019 – In a field of 45 competitors, Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot’s Chandon Blue sped to the win in the $50,000 Grand Prix CSI 2*, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte. Chapot and Chandon Blue were one of eight clear in the first round and fourth to return in the jump-off over a course designed by Andy Christiansen Jr.
First to return in the jump-off were Bretton Chad (CAN) and The Pugilist, who put down a deceptively fast clear round in 38.72 seconds that would hold up for second place. After a fall and a scratch from the next two competitors, Peter Wylde (USA) and Canamera 2, owned by Kathleen Kamine, entered the ring and finished in 39.99 seconds for fifth place.
Chapot and Chandon Blue went next and through a combination of speed and tight turns, they brought the leading time down to 37.85 seconds for the win.
McLain Ward and Tradition de la Roque Win $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic
In the $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI 5*, there were 45 entries competing over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio. Four were able to go clear in the first 20 trips in the class, and they went on to go for speed in the jump-off.
Ward went first in the jump-off on HH Gigi’s Girl, owned by Double H Farm. A rail and a time of 39.41 seconds left them in fourth place.
Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), riding Stephex Stables’ Evita Van’t Zoggehof, were next in and they were very quick and clear in 37.81 seconds, which would slot into second place. Third place went to Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) on H5 Jemousin, owned by H5 Stables, who was clear in 41.07 seconds.
Last proved to the best when Ward returned with Tradition de la Roque, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare by Kannan x Oberon du Moulin. They sped through the short course in 37.55 seconds, just taking the win by less than three-tenths of a second.
Abigail Lefkowitz and Ava Ellis Successful in ASPCA Maclay
The final day of competition during Week 7 of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival highlighted several FEI events in the International Arena as well as national hunter, jumper, and equitation competition throughout the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Both sections A and B of the ASPCA Maclay took to Ring 9 with upwards of 30 entries each. Section A awarded the first place to Abigail Lefkowitz and Top Saint Aubin, while Section B’s victory went to Ava Ellis aboard Campreoll.
In each section, the top 12 riders were invited to return for a test on the flat in which they were asked to remove their stirrups from the saddle before displaying control at the walk, trot, and canter.
Wellington, FL – March 18, 2018 – The tenth week of competition at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded with a win for Laura Chapot (USA) and Chandon Blue in the $35,000 Hollow Creek 1.50m Classic CSI 3* on Sunday, March 18, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
The $35,000 Hollow Creek 1.50m Classic saw 53 entries contest the track set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN), with 14 advancing to the shortened jump-off track. Over the short course, it was Chapot aboard Chandon Blue, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chacco Blue x Landcapitol) owned by Mary Chapot, who turned in the winning time of 36.145 seconds.
Second place went to Hunter Holloway (USA) and VDL Bravo S, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Ephepe For Ever x Chellano Z) owned by Hays Investment Corp, with a time of 36.565 seconds. With American ladies taking all three of the top spots, it was Lillie Keenan who finished in third with a time of 38.647 seconds riding Concho, a ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cassaro 5 x Acord II) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC.
Chapot acquired her winning mount, Chandon Blue, from Irish rider Cian O’Connor in December of 2017, and she has used the 2018 WEF season to get to know the gelding.
“We’ve just kind of been figuring out which buttons to press, and I think today we got them all together,” said Chapot. “He’s a really fast and careful horse. He goes in there and tries his heart out and wants to win. I like his energy.”
Emma Vandenhouten and Spiderman Top Rosenbaum PLLC Large Pony Hunters
The last day of week ten at the Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting win for Emma Vandenhouten and her own entry, Spiderman, who earned the championship in the Rosenbaum PLLC Large Pony Hunter division. The pair secured the title with a sixth on the flat and a first, first, and seventh over fences.
“This win means a lot to me,” said Vandenhouten. “I thank my family for always being so supportive.”
The junior rider first began her journey to the top with Spiderman in the Large Children’s Pony Hunter division over a year ago, and the duo has continued to progress.
When asked about her history with the 11-year-old Welsh Pony Cross, Vandenhouten said, “When we moved up to the [Large Pony Hunter division], it definitely took us a little bit to get going, but we have done well. I have been mainly focusing on keeping him straight in the lines and in-and-outs and not letting him swap. He jumps his heart out, and he loves his food!”
Wellington, FL – January 12, 2018 – Laura Chapot (USA) and Out of Ireland out-paced a field of 91 entries to win the $6,000 Bainbridge 1.40m Speed Challenge on Friday, January 12, concluding the third day of competition at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
Of the 91 entries in Friday’s $6,000 Bainbridge 1.40m Speed Challenge, 16 jumped the Eric Hasbrouck-designed course without fault, but speed was the name of the game, and none proved able to catch Chapot and Out of Ireland, owned by The Edge and Laura Chapot. Chapot and the 11-year-old Anglo European mare went 19th in the order, tripping the timers in 64.681 seconds and setting a time to beat that would go untouched for the remainder of the class.
Phoebe Backman and Destiny Claim Championship in Adult Amateur Hunter Younger Sec. A
The Adult Amateur Hunter Younger division finished with Phoebe Backman claiming the championship title aboard Destiny, her mount of three-and-a-half years. The pair took first and second place in Thursday’s jumping classes, and Destiny claimed second and third over fences and fourth under saddle on Friday with rider Tracey Gorin-Byrne.
Devon, PA – September 15, 2017 – Horses and riders returned to the Dixon Oval for another shot at the prize money for the 2017 Devon Fall Classic. Both the $5,000 Speed Stake and the $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers were run as pure speed classes, pressuring competitors to lay down a quick and clean first trip. The largest check of the night ultimately went to Laura Chapot, who piloted Out of Ireland to the winner’s title in the $5,000 Speed Stake. Lucy Matz and Bailey VI bested the field in the $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class to ride away with the blue ribbon as the leading pair.
Capping off the evening under the lights as the most prestigious class of the day, the $5,000 Speed Stake challenged each contender to ride an effective trip over the 1.40m fences faster than the rest of the pack. Course designer Paul Jewell proposed a lofty series of obstacles to the horses and riders, proving no issue for Chapot and Out of Ireland, owned by The Edge, who blazed through the track in the unbeatable time of 60.446 seconds as the third to enter the ring. Though a series of competitors managed to keep all the rails in the cups for clean trips, none managed to surpass Chapot and Out of Ireland’s clean time except Chapot herself, who nearly outdid herself in the class aboard Mary Chapot’s Zealous. As one of the last to go, Chapot and Zealous laid down a strong performance and the quickest trip of the night in 59.971 seconds, the only pair to break 60 seconds, but unfortunately Zealous clipped the jump standard on a tight turn, toppling the rails to accumulate 4 faults against them.
Ibrahim Barazi and IB Stables’s Softbeat took their turn around the track two trips later, and it appeared that Barazi and his mount may give the early leaders reason to worry until a rail fell near the end of the course, with the pair finishing on 4 faults in a quick 61.125 seconds, the only pair at that point to come within a second of Chapot and Out of Ireland. The second-to-last to go, owner-rider Pablo Mejia and RL Queen Mary looked to pose the greatest threat to Chapot, crossing the timers in a nail-biting finish with all the rails still up, but unfortunately just a half-second too slow in 60.913 seconds, securing Chapot and Out of Ireland’s spot atop the scorecard.
Mejia and RL Queen Mary nabbed the second position behind Chapot and Out of Ireland in the victory gallop, followed by Barazi and his own Omnia Incipit, who finished in a clean 64.183 seconds to claim third position. Chelsea Babcock and Da Vinci, owned by Empire State Equine Sales, LLC, claimed fourth place with a clean time of 66.571 seconds, and Willie Tynan Red Barn Farm, LLC’s KEC City Limits rounded out the top five with their time of 67.228 seconds.
Earlier in the evening, Matz and Bailey VI, owned by Dorothy Matz, made their mark on the 2017 Devon Fall Classic with a win in the $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Matz and Bailey VI coasted around the track in a speedy 63.950 seconds, leaving the course intact and setting the standard for the remaining athletes. Three seemed to be a lucky number as, just like Chapot, Matz rode third in the order of go. Jesse Smith and her own Charles Pinckney Windsor Z gave the early leaders a run for their money with their clean ride, but tripped the timers a bit too slowly in 64.518 seconds. With only one pair left to ride, Matz and her mount’s time still stood at the top of the leaderboard as Cynthia McGrath and Mapledale Associates, LLC’s Quinaro, who won the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, entered the ring. Though McGrath and the towering Quinaro navigated the course faster than any other entrants, stopping the clock in 63.704 seconds, Matz and Bailey VI remained unparalleled as McGrath and her ride rolled rails to drop to fourth position overall.
Smith and Charles Pinckney Windsor Z retained the reserve position, followed by owner-rider Adrienne Marciano aboard Laspari, who finished in 70.380 seconds with 4 faults. McGrath claimed fourth and fifth place with Quinaro and Caruso, respectively.
Kat Fuqua and Small Suggestion Hit Their Stride in Animo Medium Pony Hunter
Wellington, FL – March 19, 2017 – USA’s Laura Chapot took first and second place in Sunday’s $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic to conclude week ten at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. Chapot was aboard Quointreau un Prince for the win, and also guided Thornhill Kate to second place.
Course designer Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) concluded his duties in the International Arena for week ten with 47 starters in the 1.50m competition and 11 to jump-off. Out of six double clear rounds, Chapot first took the lead with her own and McLain Ward’s Quointreau un Prince in 34.79 seconds. She then jumped into second place aboard her own and Mary Chapot’s Thornhill Kate with a time of 35.88 seconds. Kent Farrington (USA) finished third, riding his own and Tanma Corp.’s Dublin through the timers in 36.69 seconds.
“I am thrilled,” Chapot said of her result. “I thought both horses were really on their game today, and they jumped fantastic. The jump-off was really fast, so I just took a big shot at it, and they came through for me.
“I tried to follow the same track with both of them,” Chapot said of her rounds. “There was a long distance between fence one and two, and I think that is mostly where the class was won. Once I got over fence one, I tried to really get over to fence two as quick as I could, because the rest of it you had to go by the numbers and just make the best turns you could. Both my horses are very fast, and I thought that was a place where I could use that speed to my advantage.”
Chapot has had Quointreau un Prince, a 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Rosire), since he was five years old and knows the horse extremely well. “Prince” was also given the week ten Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award, presented by Laura Fetterman.
“He was really excited to show today,” Chapot said of Prince. “He has been excited all week because he loves the little bit cooler weather. I thought he was just jumping out of his skin today; he felt really super.”
Thornhill Kate is a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Courage II x Clover Hill) that Chapot has had for just over one year.
“I think we really started to bond last summer,” Chapot said of “Kate”. “She won a bunch of grand prixs over the summer and into the fall. She was second in the 1.45m on Wednesday and jumped super again today. She is a real trier. She has a strong personality, but she uses that to her benefit in the ring.”
While Quointreau un Prince was always a naturally fast horse, Chapot has been working on developing Thornhill Kate’s speed.
“I think I have turned Kate more into a ride similar to Prince,” Chapot explained. “When I first got her, she was used to going more up and down and not quite as forward and long-strided. Now she really loves to gallop and leave out strides. She actually has a very big stride, so she is becoming more similar to Prince, who is just a pleasure to ride. You just gallop with him, and if he sees a long distance, he gets there in a heartbeat.”
Chapot plans to compete Quointreau un Prince, Thornhill Kate, and her other top mount ISHD Dual Star through the final weeks of WEF competition. She will then give her string a long break before gearing up for the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania at the end of May.
Also competing in the International Arena on Sunday, Sam Walker and Twan won the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic. The $10,000 Equiline Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic concluded the day with a win for Reid Patton and Twisther.
Kat Fuqua and Small Suggestion Hit Their Stride in Animo Medium Pony Hunter
Kat Fuqua of Atlanta, GA guided Small Suggestion, an entry owned by Iwasaki & Reilly, to win the championship of the Animo Medium Pony Hunter division. Throughout the winter circuit in Wellington, Fuqua has ridden the medium pony to several good placings; however, the tricolor ribbon had eluded them. The pair won the conformation class and the handy trip and placed sixth in an over fences round to clinch the championship title.
Kat Fuqua and Small Suggestion
“My handy round was my favorite,” Fuqua detailed. “It feels really good to be champion on him because I haven’t been doing my best on him. I’m really happy I had some great rounds on him this week.”
Speaking of the nine-year-old liver chestnut gelding, Fuqua said, “His barn name is Ollie, and my favorite thing about him is that he loves to cuddle. He is very sweet. It takes a lot of leg to ride him because he can be really slow.”
Fuqua trains with Elizabeth Reilly and Keri Kampsen and started showing Small Suggestion during the summer of the 2016 season.
“[Fuqua’s] handy round was one of the nicest rounds I’ve ever seen her have,” said Kampsen. “She was much more consistent today than she has been. I’m really proud of her!”
While both Zayna Rizvi of Greenwich, CT and Augusta Iwasaki, of Calabasas, CA earned 17 points in the division, Rizvi walked away with the reserve title because she earned more points in the over fences portion. All 17 points of Rizvi’s were collected from over fences classes and Iwasaki amassed 16 points over fences aboard Isabella Griffin’s Happily Ever After.
Rizvi rode Smallwood Mystic, owned by Peacock Ridge, LLC, to win an over fences class, place third in the handy, fourth in another over fences, as well as fifth in the conformation. Smallwood Mystic is an eight-year-old Welsh Pony Cross gelding by Mapleside Wish List that Rizvi has ridden since 2015. The pair has seen much success during the 2017 winter circuit, winning the championship ribbon during weeks five, six, and eight.
The Winter Equestrian Festival continues in its eleventh week of competition on March 22-26, 2017. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Kim Buzby and Last Dance Continue Success in Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′ Division
Wellington, FL – February 2, 2017 – Laura Chapot (USA) and Quointreau un Prince were victorious in the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 on Thursday at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
Steve Stephens (USA) set the course for 47 competitors in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), with four horse and rider combinations qualifying for the jump-off. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Robert Castro’s Caliber 9 placed fourth after withdrawing from the second round.
Chapot and Quointreau un Prince were first to go in the tiebreaker and jumped the only double clear round in a time of 38.67 seconds to take the win. Kent Farrington (USA) and his own and Robin Parsky’s Gazelle were faster, but knocked one rail along the way to place second in 38.49 seconds. Hardin Towell (USA) and Evergate Stable’s Emilie de Diamant AS dropped one rail as well, finishing third with their time of 39.07.
“I am just thrilled with him,” Chapot said of the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Rosire) that she owns in partnership with McLain Ward. “Going first is always a little difficult, but I felt like I had a good plan with him. He just really rose to the occasion and jumped super today.”
First to go in the jump-off with two very fast riders to follow, Chapot knew that she needed to set a big challenge. She used her experience from last week’s grand prix, in which she finished fourth riding ISHD Dual Star, as motivation.
“I felt like Saturday night my horse was jumping great, and maybe I just did not do the best round I could,” Chapot stated. “I played it a bit too safe, so today I was really ready to go in there and try to win the class. I did not want to leave the door open again.”
Chapot has ridden Quointreau un Prince since the gelding was five years old and spoke further of the horse that she now knows so well.
“He has been a super horse for me his whole life,” she described. “He has won a ton of grand prixs. He won the first grand prix of the circuit down here last winter. He is just a horse that really enjoys his job. He is funny because he is really just a show horse. He does not care too much to go out and exercise or do flat work. He is very quiet at home, but when he enters the show ring, he is a totally different horse.”
Also competing in the International Arena on Thursday, Molly Ashe (USA) and Louisburg Farm’s d’Arnita won the $8,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m jump-off class. The $2,500 High Amateur-Owner Jumper speed, sponsored by Engel & Völkers, saw a win for Sarah Bagworth (CAN) riding Goldfinger vd Hengstenpoel.
Kim Buzby and Last Dance Continue Success in Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′ Division
Also taking place on Thursday, the Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′ division concluded with Kim Buzby of Chester Springs, PA and Last Dance besting a field 34 for champion honors. Buzby and Last Dance were also champions of the division at WEF during week two and reserve champions during week one. This week, the pair won two over fences classes and earned a fourth-place ribbon in another.
Kim Buzby and Last Chance
Last Dance, owned by Elizabeth Frankel, is a coming six-year-old Westphalian gelding by Last Man Standing. Frankel purchased the gelding in July of 2015 and soon encountered some bad luck.
“He got hurt a week after we bought him,” Frankel detailed. “He just pulled a shoe and injured himself, so we gave him time off. Then, when he came down to Florida last year a freak accident happened to his rider and it scared him.
“He came back in the spring of last year, and we started to get him going,” Buzby added. “I showed him in the Baby Greens a little bit. This year, we brought him out in the 3′ Green Hunters, and he’s been amazing. We call him the freak because he jumps like one.”
Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, SC and Freedom, owned Katie Barnette, captured the reserve title in the Green Hunter 3′ division. The pair also won two over fences classes and earned eighth place under saddle. Freedom is a 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Wizzard WV that also shows in the Children’s Hunter division.
The fourth week of WEF continues on Friday featuring the FEI $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m in the International Arena. Also on Friday, the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search will decide a winner. For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
(C) ESI Photography. Laura Chapot and Thornhill Kate.
Saugerties, NY (May 28, 2016): The weekend sounded off with a bang at HITS-on-the-Hudson I, and there was no shortage of excitement in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.
Four horses and riders returned to test the jump-off course, designed by Marina Azevedo of Campinas, Brazil, in Friday’s class. It was once again Neshanic Station, New Jersey equestrian Laura Chapot and her mount Thornhill Kate who swept the field to garner their second blue ribbon this week after a $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome win.
“I always enjoy coming to HITS Saugerties to see what’s new and improved,” said Chapot after her victory. “The course designer did an excellent job; it was a mixed field with great horses, some youngsters and also very good riders. There were challenges in all parts of the course, and there wasn’t one specific area that came down for everyone.”
The first to return to the jump-off were the winners themselves, Chapot and Thornhill Kate, co-owned by Mary Chapot. They started off on a gallop, moving efficiently through the shortened course – Chapot made the decision to cut between a combination to the last fence, which shaved crucial seconds off the clock. They passed the timers fault-free in 42.199 for the eventual win.
“My mare is very fast naturally, so I want to keep her as level-headed throughout the course as I can, while keeping her on a steady rhythm,” said Chapot of Thornhill Kate.
Leslie Burr Howard of Darien, Connecticut and Up and Blue Chappelle, owned by Peter Howard, followed Chapot. A rail at the mid-course combination kept them from the lead with a time of 46.722, ultimately placing them fourth for their efforts.
Next to contend was Christine McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut and Wannick WH, owned by Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables, Inc. McCrea came in third in Wednesday’s Brook Ledge, and was hungry for the blue ribbon. She and the gallant bay stallion powered through the course, opting for the outside track around the combination to the last fence. They clocked in clear at 43.461, which would capture second place.
The final rider with the chance to take the lead was Chelsea Moss of Medford, New Jersey aboard Calida, owned by Stormfront Stables, LLC. Moss and Calida crossed the timers without fault in 46.350, just enough to edge out Howard and claim the third place prize.
Laura Chapot and Quointreau un Prince. Photos copyright Sportfot.
Wellington, FL – January 17, 2016 – The first week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) wrapped up on Sunday afternoon with the highlight class of the week, the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix. A large starting field of 52 entries contested the first round course, and 17 of those advanced to the jump-off. It was the always speedy Laura Chapot (USA) who came out on top of the results with Quointreau un Prince, owned by Chapot and McLain Ward. Abdel Said (EGY) and AS Sport Horses’ Hope van Scherpen Donder were second, while Molly Ashe (USA) rode Balous Day Date for Louisburg Farm to third place.
WEF continues in its second week, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, on January 20-24.
In the grand prix jump-off, Chapot counted on her long partnership with Quointreau un Prince, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Rosire. She has ridden him since he was seven years old. With age, Quointreau has learned how to go fast.
“Now he’s a real competitor,” Chapot said. “We did the 1.40m jump-off class the first day, and he hadn’t jumped since Harrisburg. He walked in the ring, and he felt like he was right back in the game from the start. He really stepped up today and was right there every step of the way.”
The riders were competing over a course designed by Eric Hasbrouck (USA). With the large jump-off field, Chapot said, “It kind of throws any kind of strategy out the window.” She added, “You just have to go the best you can. There were no playing games; everyone was giving it a go. The leader at the time was already very fast.”
Chapot and Quointreau lowered the winning time to 26.265 seconds in the jump-off for victory. Said and Hope van Scherpen Donder were second in 27.082 seconds, while Molly Ashe and Balous Day Date were just behind in 27.694 seconds. Fourth place went to Filip de Wandel (BEL) on Gentley in 28.156 seconds, while Andrew Kocher (USA) rounded out the top five in 28.509 seconds on Ora Del Te Di La San Giorgio.
Chapot and Quointreau won a 1.40m class earlier in the week, giving her a fantastic start to the circuit. “I’m just thrilled my horse started out the circuit so well. It’s better than you could ever imagine, to anticipate that you’re going to win the grand prix on the first week,” she expressed.
For Abdel Said, competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival is a brand-new experience. The rider, who is based in Belgium, first came to WEF last year to watch and decided he had to compete in 2016.
“I have a lot of friends and business partners over here. It’s a very famous tour actually,” he related. “We always follow it. Even when I was in Europe at the Sunshine Tour, I always watched the classes live on the Internet if the time difference would allow it, or I would follow the results. It’s very interesting, with a lot of good riders and horses. Last year I just came to visit for five days to watch my friend Cian (O’Connor’s) horse Good Luck. I had so much fun over here, and I said, ‘Wow. Why are we freezing in the cold in Belgium while this exists?'”
He added, “Everybody is so nice, and I feel very welcome here. I have a business back home and I’ve sold a lot of horses to here. It’s very interesting to come see the horses and follow up. I’m really enjoying it.”
Said brought two horses to WEF and will travel back to Belgium regularly to oversee his operation of 18 horses at home. Hope van Scherpen Donder, a nine-year-old BWP mare by Quadrillo x Balou du Rouet, seemed to fit easily into the Florida scene.
Said has owned her for two years and described her as “an athlete.” He continued, “She’s very fast, and she really thinks with me. She makes my life easy, and she’s very easy in the ring. If I think left, she goes left, and if I think right, she goes right. I think she really enjoys jumping because she’s easiest to ride in the ring. If you see her in the warm-up or flatting at home, it’s not her cup of tea.”
The typey little mare, who stands just 15.2 hands high, takes the grand prix jumps in stride. “She feels big when she goes to the jumps! She thinks she’s big,” he said with a smile.
Ashe compared Balous Day Date, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet x Linda-Dolores, to Said’s horse, and it turns out they are related through Balou du Rouet. She noted that their heart, speed, and energy helps them in the show ring. She has been paired with Balous Day Date for one year.
“We’ve gotten to know each other quite well,” Ashe said. “Once she gets aimed at the first jump, she’s point and shoot. I’m very lucky and happy to have the chance to ride her. I’m grateful to Beth (Johnson) and Louisburg Farm and Paul (Butterfield) for giving me the chance.”
Sponsor Dan Rosenbaum of Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC spoke to their involvement at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
“We represent the Wellington Equestrian Partners. In late 2005, Mark Bellissimo walked into my law office. We have had the pleasure of not only being a sponsor, but also being the attorneys to help build the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. When you see a jump-off in a grand prix like we had today, with tremendous sportsmanship, tremendous talent, and excellent riding abilities and the horses, it makes you really proud. What it’s like to be a sponsor in my situation is really unique, but it’s the tenth year now that I’ve had involvement, and I hope to be here ten years from now with the same type of wonderful people that I’m sitting with here today.”
Jessica Cherry and Blue Note Win the Karina Brez Jewelry Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ Over 35 Division Championship
It was a close battle in the amateur ring on Sunday at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Losing one over fences class due to inclement weather, many hunter divisions concluded with only three jumping classes. Earning 16 points over the two days of competition, Jessica Cherry took home the tricolor honors aboard longtime mount, Blue Note. Nancy Hooker, earning 15 points on Castlewalk, settled for the reserve honors in the Karina Brez Jewelry Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″ Over 35 division.
Jessica Cherry and Blue Note
Cherry of Ridgefield, CT trains with Lyman Whitehead. She was quick to credit all of her success with Blue Note to her trainer. Having trained the horse from an early age, Lyman and Cherry have the benefit of knowing the horse quite well. Now at 13 years old, Cherry and the Holsteiner gelding make a formidable veteran pair.
“He is cocky in the best way possible,” Cherry laughed while explaining the gelding’s quirky personality. “I feel fantastic,” she added about winning today’s top honors.
A serious illness sidelined Cherry from competition for almost two years. That is why this win is “extra special,” she explained. Quick to compliment her partner, Blue Note, Cherry remarked, “He’s just such a special horse. He can go straight from his stall to the show and he’s perfect.”
Cherry plans to continue showing throughout the 12-week circuit.
Hunter, jumper, and equitation competition continues at the second week of WEF on January 20-24. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Laura Chapot and Shooting Star. Photos copyright Sportfot.
Danielle Baran and Vizcaya Are Victorious in the Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49
Wellington, FL – January 15, 2016 – Laura Chapot and Shooting Star raced to a win in the $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m Speed Challenge as the first week of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued Friday at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The class concluded before inclement weather caused the cancellation of competition for the remainder of the day. WEF, which kicked off on Wednesday, continues through April 3 and awards $9 million in prize money.
Highlights of the first week of WEF include the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 16, at 7 pm, and the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix at 2 pm on Sunday, January 17. Both events will be live streamed at www.COTH.com.
Chapot and Shooting Star, owned by Mary Chapot, broke the timer beam in 71.21 seconds early in Friday’s one-round speed class and kept the lead to top a starting field of 36 over a track set by course designer Eric Hasbrouck (USA).
Andrew Kocher (USA) challenged Chapot with Prof de la Roque, but his time of 72.34 seconds came up shy and settled him in second for Postage Stamp Farm, LLC. Chapot answered back to take third aboard Out of Ireland in 73.15 seconds, while Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) jumped into fourth in 74.25 seconds in the irons of Coriandolo Di Ribani for owner Miguel Madero. Amanda Starbuck (USA) piloted Carte Blanche to a time of 74.29 seconds to round out the top five for Starbuck Equestrian.
Shooting Star, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Phin Phin x Pion), has been under Chapot’s guidance for four years and, according to her, has found his niche in the 1.40m speed classes at WEF.
“He’s not the fastest horse, but he has a huge stride, really nice technique and is brave at the jumps so he doesn’t waste a lot of time,” said Chapot. “These are great classes for him and if he can go smooth like he did today he’s always in the top three.”
Hasbrouck welcomed horses and riders alike back to WEF through his Week 1 courses, and Chapot was pleased with how Shooting Star handled the introduction. “It’s always hard to build the first week, but he’s done a fantastic job of getting everyone comfortable in the International Arena again,” she said.
With 12 consecutive weeks of top competition ahead at WEF, Chapot consistently gives her horses a break during the fall and winter months. Shooting Star hasn’t competed since November and put his fresh legs to good use on Friday.
“I am thrilled with the way he jumped. To have him step up the first week is a nice feeling,” added Chapot.
Preceding Chapot’s victory, Friday competition got under way in the International Arena earlier in the day with a win for Tina Di Landri and Juanita in the $2,500 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY High Amateur-Owner Jumper class. Sophie Michaels and MCB Maya took the top spot in the $1,500 Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper class while Laura Kraut rode Gipsy King to a win in the $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m.
Danielle Baran and Vizcaya Are Victorious in the Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49
Danielle Baran of Toronto, Canada topped an over fences class this week and was third in two others on her way to winning the Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 championship. Riding her own gelding Vizcaya, the duo is no stranger to the winner’s circle and also took a victory under saddle. While training under Canada’s Chris Sorenson and Darcy Hayes (USA), Baran and her mount have won two consecutive WEF circuit championships in the Adult Hunter division.
Danielle Baran and Vizcaya
Baran impressed in her debut this week following a three-month hiatus due to a shoulder injury she sustained in November. Speaking highly of her consistent winner, Baran explained, “I just have to ride well because he wants to show his stuff.”
“He’s a real ham in the barn and a little bit persnickety, but once you get him in the ring he’s all business,” she added.
Baran will spend the rest of the season in Wellington and looks forward to more success throughout the 12-week circuit.
Bridget Hallman and Lulu earned the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 reserve championship after claiming three second-place ribbons and one third-place ribbon over fences.
The first week of WEF continues on Saturday with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Classic and $75,000 Battle of the Sexes, which is the first Saturday Night Lights event of the season. Also on Saturday, the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring will feature the conclusion of the EnTrust Capital Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Competition will come to a close on Sunday with the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix, held in the International Arena.
For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.
(C) ESI Photography. Laura Chapot and Quointreau Un Prince.
Wins $34,000 FEI Saugerties Jumper Classic
SAUGERTIES, NY (September 4, 2015): It was a beautiful Wednesday in Saugerties, New York for the first afternoon of FEI-ranked competition. Starting the week off on the right foot, Laura Chapot, of Neshanic Station, New Jersey, and Quointreau Un Prince, co-owned with McLain Ward, swept through the $34,000 FEI Saugerties Jumper Classic course for another HITS Saugerties Series blue ribbon under her belt.
Sixty-seven competitors took a turn at the 13 effort course designed by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida. Chapot, who is no stranger to the spotlight at HITS Saugerties, having won the Week IV $50,000 Horze Grand Prix and $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix earlier this summer with her 11 year old mount, was up against some of the globe’s top athletes including McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Margie Engle.
“It was a really nice course for everyone’s first time in the ring,” said Chapot. “There were a fair number of clears and it had a few tricky spots that caught up with people but I think it gave everyone a fair chance to get in the ring and get started for the week.”
Chapot was one of 22 returning for at the jump-off and her positioning in the middle of the order gave her the opportunity to watch, and learn, from her competition.
“It’s always nice to be able to see other people go and understand how fast they are going or if there are any places to make up extra time,” added Chapot. “My strategy was to go as fast as I felt comfortable with my horse and shave off the turns as best I could, but not to go too fast where he would be flat out.”
Thirteenth in the order, Chapot sped through the course leaving it intact in a time of 37.19 for the lead. The next few entries were not as lucky, many resulting in a rail for four faults. It wasn’t until Roberto Teran and Arkos Des Rolsers Z, owned by ARK Partners LLC, navigated his way through the course that it felt like the chase was on. Clocking in at 38.21, Teran found himself finishing just behind the leading lady.
Next to go clear and twenty-first in the order, Kristen Vanderveen aboard Bull Run’s Eternal, owned by Bull Run Jumpers One LLC, sailed to a time of 37.91 to bump Teran to third and to secure her spot in second place.
Chapot closed with, “I’m thrilled to come out the first day and have a win with Quointreau Un Prince. He’s fast and in good form. I’m really excited to be in the ring.”
Fourth place went to Emanuel Andrade and his own Boy IV, followed by Catherine Tyree and Free Style VD Polderhof, owned by Joseph and Mary Tyree.
FEI competition continues at HITS Saugerties on Friday, September 4 for the $34,000 HITS Jumper Classic, which is the only qualifying opportunity for Sunday’s CP $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo. Friday’s event will be webcast live beginning at 12 noon EST on HITS TV on HitsShows.com.
All eyes will be on the Grand Prix Stadium Sunday, September 6 for the highest ranked class in US show jumping this year – the Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo.
General Admission tickets and Day VIP passes are still available for Sunday’s main event. Additionally, HITS will webcast select classes through the week and weekend LIVE.
