The sixth week of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off on Wednesday, February 13, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. Riding to the top spot of the $36,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m was Samuel Parot (CHI) and his own Atlantis.
Samuel Parot and Atlantis. Photo © Sportfot
There were 41 entries in the $36,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m, which was held in a modified power and speed format, where all riders continue on to the second speed phase of the course. This week’s course designer for FEI jumper classes is Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris (MEX).
Parot went first in the class on Thriller P, and he was able to find the path to victory with his second mount in the class, Atlantis. They sped around the second phase of the course in just 19.84 seconds, the only combination to break the 20-second barrier.
Second place not far behind in 20.23 seconds was Santiago Lambre (MEX) riding his own Charatinus. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Vlock Show Stables LLC’s Billy Dorito finished third in 20.29 seconds.
This was the first show back for Atlantis since an infection kept him out of commission following the three-star show in Tryon, NC, in October 2019. Parot brought him back slowly with a long break.
“Now he’s feeling better, and I’m so happy to have him back,” said Parot. “He feels normal now.”
Samuel Parot in his with ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo © Sportfot.
In addition to coming back to the show ring, Parot also has to be choosy for the 16-year-old’s schedule. The pair has had 31 top-three finishes in FEI competition since Parot started showing him in June 2015. “I have to be careful with him,” he noted. After this week, Atlantis will show during the CSIO4* week 8 and the five-star in week 12.
Speaking of Wednesday’s competition, Parot said, “It was fast! It’s very difficult to win in Wellington. There are a lot of top horses and riders. I went faster for the last few jumps. I did six strides in two lines where other people did seven. I think that’s what made the difference.”
Final Results: $36,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m Classic
1 ATLANTIS: 2003 Zangersheide gelding by Andiamo x Dodana W
SAMUEL PAROT (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/0/19.84
2 CHARATINUS: 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco Blue x Uganda
SANTIAGO LAMBRE (MEX), Santiago Lambre: 0/0/20.23
3 BILLY DORITO: 2010 Anglo European Studbook gelding by Billy Mexico x Billy Furisto
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), Vlock Show Stables LLC: 0/0/20.29
4 EYECATCHER: 2009 KWPN mare by Harley VDL x Ninewood
MATTIAS TROMP (USA), Beyaert Farm Inc: 0/0/21.06
5 TOSCA DE L’ESQUES: 2007 Selle Français mare by Cardento x Karoleva
FABIO LEIVAS DA COSTA (BRA), Bonne Chance Farm LLC: 0/0/21.76
6 LEILANI: 2010 Oldenburg mare
DANIEL COYLE (IRL), Daniel Coyle: 0/0/21.87
7 AMEX Z: 2009 Warmblood mare by Andiamo Z x Senne
TODD MINIKUS (USA), Bit By Bit Group: 0/0/22.02
8 MAGNOLIA MYSTIC ROSE: 2009 Brazilian Sport Horse mare
FRANCISCO JOSE MESQUITA MUSA (BRA), Haras Mystic Rose: 0/0/22.06
9 ABELONE O.T LOWLANDS Z: 2011 Zangersheide mare by Andiamo Z x Dawn of the Lowlands Z
ANDREW KOCHER (USA), Andrew Kocher: 0/0/22.69
10 OASIS SPIRIT: 2010 Irish Sport Horse mare by Cobra x Ballycapple Merry Breeze
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Amanda Derbyshire :0/0/22.77
11 VDL BRAVO S: 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Ephepe For Ever x Urbine S
HUNTER HOLLOWAY (USA), Hays Investment Corp: 0/0/22.90
12 DUTSBOY: 2008 KWPN gelding by Veron x Unicum
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), Stone Hill Farm: 0/0/23.01