WELLINGTON, Fla.--Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard on Chatadel PS won the $62,500, CSI4* 1.50m Classic on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Erynn Ballard on Chatadel PS (Photo by Sportfot)Ballard won in a huge jump-off of 17 of the 35 in the Classic, with 10 of those going clean again in the jump-off.

Ballard, who went halfway through the jump-off, finished in 35.35 to win over second placed Mimi Gochman on Inclen BH, who finished in 35.54, and McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valckenborg, third in 36.30.

Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil on Corrie 9 was fourth in 36.33, with Mark Bluman of Columbia on Haquinsa fifth in 36.35, and Elena Haas on Ogue BT Special sixth in 36.98.

With this win, Ballard has won at least once every week since November. 

Ballard said she and her team have been patiently waiting for Chatadel PS to turn 9, which he finally did this year. 

 

“WE HAVE had him since he was 7 and have been developing him,” said Ballard of the mount purchased from an auction in Mexico. “He finished last season winning his first two-star grand prix. He’s a winner, and I think for a young horse, we did everything perfectly. He did the youngster tour at Aachen, and without over-jumping him, he has seen the world. I’m proud of the way we have developed him."

“To have a horse this long is unusual, and we have created a bond with him that shows in the results,” said Ballard.

Of her recent win streak, Ballard said, “To manifest these kinds of results at every single show for eight horse shows in a row, that’s mega. It shows the consistency in our program and in our horses. There’s a depth in our string that was created by good management, and it’s exciting.”