Friday brought another victory for Chile’s Samuel Parot, who came home as the fastest of three double-clears in the $38,700 Molon Excavating CSI2* Welcome Stake. Aboard Cap West this time, he once more edged out Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP), who placed second again, also aboard a different horse, Diamant Rose Z. Tomas Yofre (ARG) and Cher Cheval placed third.
“It’s a very good horse,” Parrot said of Cap West, an 11-year-old gelding after winning the opening Speed on David Guetta. “[He’s] really easy. Normally he’s not so fast but today I was a little lucky for the jump-off. I saw Francisco jump off and his mare is very fast. My horse has a very big stride. When I saw Francisco I tried to win at [fences] one, two and three. I think that is where I had the best time.”
Parot had a strategy in mind for his striding between each of the first three jumps. Between one and two, Goyoaga Mollet did eight strides, while Parot did seven. Parot galloped in another seven strides to fence three, while his Goyoaga Mollet did nine. Knowing he got those two distances done, he felt he had won the class and did not have to do anything extreme coming home. His time of 36.70 seconds sealed the deal.
“I bought him in Geneva in April and he arrived in Wellington for two weeks,” Parot explained of his partnership so far with Cap West. “I jumped one show there and then I went to Mexico, where he won a qualifier and grand prix and second in [another] grand prix. I went to Samorin and he had a very good result; second in a three-star and fourth or fifth in another three-star.”
Despite having two wins already in the week, Parot isn’t taking anything for granted, knowing full well you have to enjoy being at the top because it won’t last forever.
“When you win it’s fantastic,” he expressed. “Today, you needed to go very fast and clear. For a win here you always need to go fast. It’s never an easy win but I’m so happy.”
With a day off for top show jumpers Saturday, Parot and his fellow FEI competitors will rest up for the $77,300 Southern Arches CSI2* Grand Prix Sunday to close out week one of the Tournament of Champions.
Consistency is Key for Abigail Gordon in WIHS Medal
Equitation is back in full swing for the Tournament of Champions in Traverse City and Abigail Gordon, of Statesville, NC, kicked off her fall season with a win. She took over the ride on Photoshop, a 10-year old Warmblood gelding owned by Don Stewart, on Friday morning just ahead of the WIHS Medal, where she emerged the winner after two phases.
“This is my first time ever riding this horse,” said Gordon. “I came here from North Carolina to do the [WIHS Medal] for some points and I am really happy it was successful. I felt really prepared to show today and I am super grateful to have such a nice group of people here with me.”
The catch ride suited Gordon well, earning her consistent scores of 85 in the hunter phase and 83 in the jumper phase for an overall total of 168 points to claim the win. “My goal was consistency, which I achieved today. Both phases are so different, so I need to adjust my ride. I was happy I was able to do that successfully.”
As the leaves begin to change in Traverse City, the horses and riders are soaking up the Northern Michigan fall weather.
“This is my first time in Traverse City in the fall,” Gordon continued. “I usually come for the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in the summer. I just love the weather [in the summer] and so far it’s just as nice. It’s great riding weather, I think the horses really like the fresh air and the green grass.”
