Bretton Takes 2nd Place in $50,000 Grand Prix 2*, Wellington FL
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.
“Basically my plan was to leave it all on the table,” said Chad of her jump-off ride. “There were only eight in the jump-off, and one wasn’t going to go. I’m not the most experienced jump-off rider, so I thought I should just give it what I had.”
Chad has been riding The Pugilist, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by ARD VDL Douglas x Freddie’s Star, for five years. “He’s been unbelievable for me, taken me all the way up,” she expressed. “He’s pretty unique. If you just saw him in the stall, I don’t think you would really think he’s a jumping horse. He’s more like a Quarter Horse! He’s a bit bouncy, but once you get him going, his stride gets massive. He can pretty much do it all; he can add, he can leave out. He’s a wonder horse.”
“I’m really appreciative to him and my whole team at Torrey Pines,” she continued. “Everyone was here behind me, cheering me on, so that was really cool.”
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.