|
SAUGERTIES,
NY (September
4, 2006)—Laura Chapot certainly saved her best
for last, as she delivered the perfect 1-2 punch
riding Little Big Man, and Samantha
to a first and second place finish respectively
in Sunday's $50,000 Tavern
on the Green Catering Grand Prix concluding
week VII at HITS Saugerties.
Chapot
also won the $75,000 RV Sales of Broward Grand
Prix on July 23 aboard Little Big Man.
The duo has a long history together. She bought
him as a four-year-old and over time has turned
him into a successful Grand Prix mount. When asked
if she saw his potential early on, Chapot answered,
"You never know how a horse is going to turn out
and if it will go on to become a Grand Prix horse,
but from the first time I saw him I knew he was
a special horse."
Chapot earned some
valuable points with the win as every grand prix
at all HITS horse shows, including HITS Saugerties
and HITS Culpeper is a qualifier for the United
States Grand Prix League Finals. The finals for
the league will be held in Culpeper on October
1, where $100,000 in prize money will be on the
line. The event is limited to the top
30 United States Grand Prix League horse/rider
combinations. Chapot is currently third in
the USGPL Standings, behind only Canadian Jill
Henselwood and last years winner Aaron Vale.
A special $25,000
Wild Card Grand Prix on Friday, September 29 gives
one more rider the chance to qualify for the $100,000
USGPL Invitational Grand Prix. The rider who finishes
the highest and is not already qualified will
earn a spot in the field.
Robert
Ross got the jump-off that included six horses
started aboard Henry Jota Romano. Ross
had only one rail down and his four-fault score
of 48.575 was good enough for sixth place for
Joe Zada & Romance Farm, Inc. Katy Levy was
next aboard Vent Du Nord. The horse/rider
combination set the Great American Time to Beat
at 41.183 with their clear round.
Thanks
to Chapot, Levy's time wouldn't be the fastest
for long. Chapot and Little Big Man completed
course designer Jerry Dougherty's jump-off course
in 39.248 shattering the Great American Time to
Beat."It seemed like we were just gliding
over the jumps," said Chapot. "When
I looked up at my time and saw I was under 40
seconds I knew we had a great chance of winning."
Michelle
Spadone and Melisimo were the next to pass
the course designer's test. The horse/rider combination
made it all the way home clear but Spadone's time
of 43.760 was well off Chapot's pace. Mark Jungherr
and Olinoeska also went clear but his time
of 44.911 was only good enough for fifth place
for owners Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters.
Last
to go was Chapot aboard Samantha. Her time
of 40.123 wasn't quite fast enough to beat her
time aboard Little Big Man but she certainly
gave it her best shot scoring the 1-2 finish and
$26,000 in prize money. "Little Big Man
is just a bit faster," said Chapot. "I
was pushing Samantha and she just missed
winning. However, I am thrilled that both of my
horses performed so well today. It was a great
way to end the circuit in Saugerties and I am
looking forward to the USGPL Finals in Culpeper."
Show Jumping at HITS
Culpeper resumes at the USGPL Finals on September
27, featuring the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic,
the $15,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Low Classic, the
$25,000 Junior/AO Jumper High Classic, the $25,000
Wild Card Grand Prix and the $100,000 USGPL Invitational
Grand Prix in its final week in Culpeper. There
is no question that this prestigious event saves
the best for last, as the lineup includes $175,000
in prize money for special classes alone.
The USGPL Finals
will be the last HITS Horse Show before HITS switches
to International Surfaces Group (ISG) footing
at most of its locations. ISG is proudest of its
revolutionary dust-free footing that allows horses
to compete under a wide range of weather conditions
while minimizing the risk of injury.
For more information
about show jumping at HITS Saugerties as well
as all other HITS venues call 845.246.8833 or
visit the HITS website www.HitsShows.com.
|
