Laura Chapot and Ginola Gain Speed in $32k Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Qualifier
Laura Chapot & Ginola. Photo ©Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – February 7, 2026 — Laura Chapot (USA) and Ginola didn’t have a stride out of place to take top honors in the $32,000 Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Qualifier Friday afternoon during Week 5 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Stopping the clock at 40.52 seconds across Paris Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track, Chapot made her way to the top of the podium with her 10-year-old French-bred Otangelo x Chacco-Blue gelding.
“He was super rideable today, which is something he struggles with sometimes,” said Chapot. “He likes to go for it — slowing down isn’t his favorite — but he was with me every step of the way through the whole course.”
Right behind Chapot (USA) at 40.95 seconds was Canadian Chris Pratt riding Paulien Dwerse Hagen, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Cornet Obolensky for owners Take the High Road. Rounding out the podium finishers was Chris Ewanouski aboard Polojump’s New Jersey Van De Noordheuvel, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Spartacus TN at 41.23 seconds.
“He’s been phenomenal for me the whole way along — bringing him up the ranks through the seven, eight-year-olds, and he’s stepped into these two-stars this year down here,” said Chapot, a New Jersey native. “He was sixth the last time he went in the grand prix, and he’s been really consistent and starting to grow up and do some real things.”
$100k Hunt Team Exhibition Featured in a Night Benefiting Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club
Hunter riders went under the lights on Friday at Wellington International for the second annual $100,000 Hunt Team Exhibition Stake Class, benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club of Wellington, presented by Schumacher Automotive Group. The exhibition featured hunter teams of three athletes jumping a 3’3″ course in the International Arena to benefit the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club. 13 teams gave their Friday night best in hopes of taking the team title, but it was Brianne Goutal-Marteau of Royal Palm Beach, FL; Irene Neuwirth of Culver City, CA; and Lilly Herzog of Pepper Pike, OH who bested the rest.
The third annual Team Hunter Exhibition furthers the mission of The Boys and Girls Club: to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Teams consisted of a professional, amateur, and junior hunter rider. Held in a relay format, each rider jumped a portion of the 20-fence course. Scores were given from three judging panels for an average final score. Each team was allotted one drop score, allowing them to erase their lowest-ranked performance, akin to a jumper Nations Cup. High scores of 90 from Herzog on Tiebreaker and 89 from Neuwirth riding Holland Park secured the victory for their team.
“I happen to love doing this class,” said professional Brianne Goutal-Marteau, who rode Scout’s Honor. “It’s a completely different format than any of us — or the horses — are used to. It’s an amazing precursor to next week [WCHR Week] and a great opportunity to give our horses a fun atmosphere.”
Wellington International
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