Parot Plumbs Atlantis Riches in $100K

By Staff Report September 27, 2015

Chilean rider Samuel Parot and his own 12-year-old bay gelding Atlantis took the win in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Sacramento CSI3* last night at the Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center.

A sell-out crowd packed the stands and VIP Lounge at facility’s indoor arena for an evening of excitement  presented by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. Set at 1.60 by Alan Wade of Ireland, the European-flavored course sprawled beneath the flags of many nations to contest the World Cup.  A total of 13 jumping efforts with a double combination at 5ab and a triple at 7abc presented some interesting questions for the field of 24 starters. Intelligence, scope and split-second timing would be required from horse and rider alike as seven countries went head to head, vying for to earn their slot at the Longines 2016 World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden in April.

Ultimately, six riders successfully navigated Wade’s demanding course, paving the way for a thrilling jump-off that had spectators alternately groaning, gasping and cheering for their favorites.

Rich Fellers of Wilsonville, OR, riding the indomitable Flexible, elicited a huge roar of appreciation from the crowd as they entered the ring the returning champions from Sacramento International’s 2014 competition. Having drawn the unenviable first in the order of go, they had an unfortunate two rails, for 8 faults.   It would be the fourth in, Alec Lawler (USA) and Agamemnon, to post the first clear round.  Five more followed, including Quentin Judge (USA) aboard HH Copin Van de Broy, Eric Navet (FRA) on JonkheerZ, Richard Spooner (USA) and Chivas Z, Karl Cook(USA) and Tembla and Parot on Atlantis.

The jump-off saw a shortened course with 7 efforts, requiring an abrupt turn to fence 3 and a long gallop to the last fence on course. Parot and Atlantis laid down a blistering track, leaving the fences intact in a time of 36.97. Judge and HH Copin van de Broy earned second with a time of 37.55 and third place went to Naveta and  Jonkheer Z, who made it around in 38.65.

Spooner and Chivas Z had the crowd gasping as he galloped all out toward the last fence, but too much speed carried him through rather than over. Richard managed to keep his seat, earning 6th place. Fourth place went to Lawler and Agamemnon, while Cook’s unfortunate rail at the last element earned him 5th.

During a press conference after the Grand Prix, the top three riders were able to comment on their rides and experience in Sacramento. When asked about his ride, Parot said Atlantis was, “very careful and fast, jumped super.” He added, “I am very happy, and I love California.” Samuel was coming off an earlier Sacramento International victory, having won the $35,000 Welcome Grand Prix earlier in the week. Second place winner Judge praised HH Copin van de Broy as a “seasoned, fantastic horse I can rely on,” and said, “this was a great venue for him and a great test.” Third place finisher Navet said of Jonkheer Z, “I am very lucky to have this horse to show,” and added, “It is a great pleasure to come for the Grand Prix and the venue is full and the public is very enthusiastic, that helps the rider. This is a great, great venue.”

Indoor challenge

The evening class, inside and under lights, proved to be quite an adjustment for many of the horses, especially after the long summer season in large, outdoor arenas.  “The horses are trying to adjust to the lights,” Olympian Buddy Brown commented, after seeing some veteranhorse-rider teams pick up faults. Additionally, the well-prepared course challenged riders throughout with its complex questions, demanding the highest level of precision from all starters.

“The principles are basically the same,” Wade said about designing tracks indoors as opposed to the large, outdoor venues. “You try and build them over the couple of days, and this was the biggest test. And tonight, the bigger the class, the more fair and open the distances were. The other night, I felt I had to test a bit more control because we were at 1.45 (meters). And when we got the bigger fences, it was more scope tests, and I was just trying to be fair to everyone.”

Many riders will continue to Los Angeles from Sacramento, where they will compete at the Longines L.A. Masters, Oct. 1-4, at another indoor venue where they and their horses hope to reap the benefits of experience gained from the first indoor event of the fall season.

Results

1. Atlantis (Samuel Parot), CHI, 0 faults/36.97 seconds (JO);

2. HH Copin van de Broy (Quentin Judge), USA, 0/37.55 (JO);

3. Jonkheer Z (Eric Navet), FRA, 0/38.65 (JO);

4. Agamemnon (Alec Lawler), USA, 4/37.37 (JO);

5. Tembla (Karl Cook) USA, 4/37.48 (JO);

6. Chivas Z (Richard Spooner), USA, 4/38.84 (JO);

7. Calero (Allyssa Hecht), USA, 1/80.14;

8. Legis Touch the Sun (Jenni McAllister), USA, 2/83.28.

Full results here and show results here at HorseShowTime.com

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