Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows

It’s not often that the fourth horse in a 44-horse class holds the lead the whole way through, but it was Samuel Parot’s (CHI) day to do just that during the final week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors. Fourth in the ring on Koblenz van de Vinusakker in the $37,000 Hippo Data CSI3* Speed Classic, Parot sped to a time of 55.06 seconds and held the lead through all remaining combinations to test the track during the opening class of the week.

Over Anderson Lima’s (BRA) course, Parot set the time to beat on his first of three rides by speeding around the rollback turns and taking efficient paths down the lines, ultimately securing a time of 55.06 seconds. “The first horse I won on, I turned very quickly,” he said of his strategy. “I turned very fast to number six and number nine; I think I won there. He’s very fast. I like a horse with a lot of blood.”

Margie Engle (USA) and the Gladewinds Partners, LLC-owned Royce went in immediately following Parot and his first mount, and scored themselves a podium finish in 55.55 seconds. Coming in just a few from the end and finding a spot just between Parot and Engle was Mattias Tromp (USA) and Infuria P&P for owner Beyaert Farm Inc, finishing in 55.27 seconds. Tromp ultimately finished all three of his mounts in the top ten.

Wednesday’s win marks the second FEI win for Koblenz van de Vinusakker, the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Toulon x Leader M). In its second year under Parot’s guidance, the horse has taken two top victories and several other high placings up to the CSI5* level, jumping along the Major League Show Jumping tour in Mexico.

“The first time I came [to Traverse City] was early on,” Parot said of his trip to Traverse City Spring. “I love it here; it’s a really fantastic place with the lake and the atmosphere. Congratulations [to the Morrisseys] because the show is really big and they’ve done a good job.”

Parot plans to jump his two other mounts in the $37,000 Downtown Traverse City CSI3* Welcome Stake Thursday, then aim Koblenz van de Vinusakker for the $138,600 CaptiveOne Advisors CSI3* Grand Prix Saturday, before a two-week break. His team will stay in Traverse City for the fall, featuring the American Gold Cup CSI5*, before Parot heads to South America for the South American Games in October.

With her top finish, Margie Engle reclaimed her lead in the CaptiveOne Advisors Open Jumper Rider Bonus standings.