WELLINGTON, Fla.--Laura Chapot once again scored a victory in the $6,000, 1.40m Jumpers, this time with Calafornia, owned by Laura and Mary Chapot, on Wednesday, March 17, at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Laura Chapot on Calafornia ({Photo by Sportfot)Eighty-nine riders challenged the speed format course consisting of 13 fences set by Michel Vaillancourt0f Canada.
Chapot, of Neshanic Station, N.J., rode Calafornia to a double clear round and winning time of 30.25 seconds.
“When you have a class that has so many in it, it’s always difficult to make a course that isn’t too hard for everyone, but I think Michel Vaillancourt always does a great job making it very fair,” said Chapot. “I think the course suited my horse because he was able to leave out strides here and there. He’s got a tremendous ability to cover the ground, so that always helps for him.”
CHAPOT and her longtime partner Calafornia are a competitive pair to watch and often at the top of the leader board, and were the Circuit Champion in the 1.40m Jumpers during WEF 2020.
Calafornia is again leading in that section three-quarters of the way through the winter season, with three others of Chapot's mounts, Thornhill Kate, Out of Ireland and Shooting Star, standing second, third and fifth in the section.
“This year he has been really, really going well,” said Chapot. “He’s been jumping very well and very consistent. I’m really proud of him for coming out every time and doing so well. He was really fresh today, which is nice to see at Week 10 that the horse is still coming out and wanting to go and trying to win the class."
“I try to keep my rhythm with him and keep him very even throughout the whole course,” said Chapot. “He’s a very careful horse and he’s gotten quicker over the years, so now his speed across the ground really just helps him.”
Less than a second behind Chapot was Gustavo Prato of Argentina on King Van Het Keizersh, placing second in 30.98 seconds and in third was Sarah Hubbard on Hadrilla Van De Looiseheide, clean in 31.25 seconds.
