Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) knew the expansive field at Thunderbird Show Park suited his horse impeccably, and he called on his longtime partner Chapilot’s (Chacco-Blue x Pilot) strengths to win the $35,000 CSIO5* Artisan Farms Nations Welcome, part of the 2018 Odlum Brown BC Open, Wednesday afternoon at Thunderbird Show Park, the first five-star competition to take place at the venue in its historic 45-year history. The $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Canada and the $235,000 Longines Grand Prix will highlight the week, taking place on Sunday, June 3, and Friday, June 1, respectively.

Lambre, 40, and the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding did what was almost thought to be impossible, catching the time of early leader Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Belo Horizonte (Baloubet du Rouet x Clearway) in the Table A speed class. Jumping 42nd in the order, they completed the Peter Holmes (CAN) designed track in 64.27 seconds. Bond’s time was 65.08 seconds; she jumped seventh in the field of 48. Z Diamanty (Diamant de Semilly x Cor de la Bryere) and Keean White (CAN) finished third, completing their round in 67.08 seconds. 

“Ashlee was really fast, but I’ve known my horse for a long time,” said Lambre, who’s been partnered with the bay since 2015. “There were some spots where I could take one or [more] strides out. He’s really fast in the long distances. I can always take a stride [out] when I can.”

There was also an added incentive for his horse after jumping in last week’s Maui Jim Grand Prix during Thunderbird’s Canadian Premier show. “On Sunday, I had the last down in the grand prix, and I said to him, ‘If you win today, you don’t have to jump anymore this week!’” Lambre exclaimed.

The Brazilian rider considers his mount a speed specialist and has a schedule of similarly formatted classes on the agenda for Chapilot, knowing the gelding will thrive.

“He’s a winner,” Lambre said. “He’s not an easy horse. He has a strong canter, but every horse show he goes to, he wins a class. He’s been like that since he was eight. I just love him. Today, I thought he could win,” he added, “and that was it!”