Kentucky Three-Day Occasion dressage – Kirsty Chabert units up GB one-two

Kirsty Chabert made it a five-star one-two for Britain in a single day within the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Occasion dressage when she slotted into second behind Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir.

“It sounds a bit daft however at 15 years outdated she continues to be enhancing – hopefully she’s like a very nice bottle of crimson wine and retains maturing with age,” mentioned Kirsty of Traditional VI, who belongs to her father John Johnston, Carole Somers and Kate Ward.

Kentucky Three-Day Occasion dressage: adrenalin spike

After warming up properly, the mare hesitated and tried to again up as Kirsty rode down the ramp into the imposing stadium. Nonetheless, their early trot work was trending round 70% they usually scored a 9, from Xavier Le Sauce at M, for his or her mid-test halt. An unbalanced second after the primary flying change and a blip on the ultimate centreline pulled their marks down somewhat they usually completed on a rating of 31.

Speaking about whether or not the mare carried the second within the chute into the sector, Kirsty mentioned: “I suppose it should spike a little bit of adrenalin to a point, mustn’t it? She truly settled rather well, so I’m happy along with her. With hindsight, I most likely ought to have walked in.

“She was tremendous out right here within the warm-up after which simply obtained somewhat hotter as we went down, however she held it collectively. There have been two clear errors however the remainder of the check I used to be happy with.”

Speaking in regards to the mare usually, Kirsty added: “She’s completely stunning. She likes her individuals. She’s a typical woman. She likes to belief everyone and she or he is a darling. She is one thing particular.”

On their greatest type, Kirsty and Traditional may be very aggressive at five-star – they had been second at Luhmühlen Horse Trials in 2022 and sixth at Pau Horse Trials final yr. They got here to Kentucky final yr and accomplished with 20 leaping penalties throughout nation.

The pair had been third on their prep run at Kronenberg CCI4*-S in March.

“We’ve had an excellent prep and are available right here filled with confidence,” mentioned Kirsty throughout the Kentucky Three-Day Occasion dressage press convention. “However I’ve obtained Yas to my left and I hope she’s there on Saturday. I’ve obtained my very own objectives I’d like to attain and hopefully the top of the week will deal with itself.”

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H&H journal editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L degree, and has labored within the trade on a high occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest degree, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.