WELLINGTON, FLA.--Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., rode the Circuit Champions in two divisions at the 12 week long Winter Equestrian Festival and dominated the Championship in the Leading Open Jumper Rider category.

Laura Chapot on Out of Ireland (Photo by Sportfot)Chapot scored 1,299 point to win the Leading Rider award, while her nearest competitor had 622 points.

Chapot has now been Leading Open Jumper Rider at WEG for nine of the past 11 years, an incredible record.

"It's a nice honor to win that award again," said Chapot. "It's a nice way to cap off the season."

Chapot rode her mother Mary's homebred Zealous to the championship in 1.40m jumpers, and she rode Umberto, also owned by Mary, to the championship in 1.35m jumpers.

She was also fourth in 1.40m jumpers and 20th in 1.45m. jumpers on Out of Ireland, and seventh on Thornhill Kate in 1.35m. jumpers and 12th in 1.40 m. jumpers.

 

MARY WAS the reserve champion in Leading Open Jumper Trainer behind champion Gochman Sport Horses LLC of New York, N.Y.

Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue, another of her horses that did well (Photo by Sportfot)"My horses went really well all circuit," said Chapot. "I was pleased with all of them."

Chapot also trained Layla Law-Gisiko who rode her Renomee de la Roque to the Circuit Championship in Low Adult Jumper, 36 & Over, as well as Barbara Rochford who placed in the top 20 on Butterfly Ambition in Adult Amateur Owner, 36 & Over.

Robert Matz of Coatesville, Pa., was fourth on Venturesome in Children's Modified Jumpers, and he won the Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsmanship Trophy, which is presented to the junior rider that consistently demonstrates outstanding conduct, horsemanship, attitude and courtesy appropriate for a competitor at the highest level of the sport.

"Robert's winning that award means an enormous amount to Michael and me," said Robert's mother, D.D. "It recognized how you conduct yourself and how you treat your horses, it's not just being a top junior rider. It's nice he was recognized out of so many kids that show at WEF."

Robert placed fourth in his division despite only showing at six of the 12 shows.

"Robert is in boarding school at Woodbury Forest, which is near Orange, Va.," said D.D. "He was recently inducted into the Cum Laude Society. That rewards academic achievement and is only given to certain members of the junior and senior classes. Robert has been a high honors scholar ever since he's been there."

"Robert is a senior, and he's going to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., next year," said D.D. "He really enjoys the sport of riding."

 

KEN BERKLEY of Flemington, N.J., was the Leading Hunter Trainer, while his partner Scott Stewart rode the Champions in three divisions and was the third highest Leading Hunter Rider Circuit Championship behind champion Victoria Colvin.

Stewart rode Harvard Hall, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, Va., who was Circuit Champion Green Conformation Hunter, and he rode Parker's Private Life, who was Champion High Performance Conformation Hunter as well as Champion High Performance Working Hunter.

Parker also owns A Million Reasons, who was Champion Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, ridden by Emma Kurtz, who also rode Parker's Dedication to the Championship in Large Junior Hunter, 16-17

Kelly Farmer of Keswick, Va., rode Aizlynn Radwanski's Shameless to the Championship in Green Hunter, 3'9".

Clementian Brown of Kennett Square, Pa., was ninth on her Eagle in Amateur Owner Hunter, Over 35, despite only showing half of the time.

Mimi Cochman of New York, N.Y., who rode Bluf BH to the High Junior Jumper Championship, won the Pin Oak Farm Perpetual Trophy for the junior jumper rider who earned the most prize money.

McLain Ward on Hija von Strokapelleken (photo by Kathy Russell)McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., rode the horses that were first and second highest money winners in the Challenge Cup, winning on Hija von Strokapelleken and placing second on HH Azur.

HH Azur won the Jumper Style Award.

Abigail Wexner owns a number of the horses that Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, N.Y., rides, and Wexner won the Simba Run Perpetual Trophy for the owner of the Open Jumper that earned the most money in classes over 1.45m.