Wellington, Florida, USA – March 08, 2019 – Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) and Chapilot won the $36,000 Bainbridge 1.45m Classic CSI 5* yesterday during the ninth week of competitions of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

For the second day in a row, the Brazilian national anthem played and the flag was raised at WEF. While Eduardo Menezes (BRA) captured Thursday’s five-star win, it was his countryman Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) who sped to victory on Friday. Lambre and Chapilot, owned by Mario Onate, topped a field of 55 competitors in the speed format of the five-star class.

There were 15 clear rounds in the class, all competing over a course designed by Alan Wade of Ireland. The early leader, going third in the order, was Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) riding H5 Stables’s H5 Market Irminka. They were quick in 60.90 seconds, which would hold up for 12 rounds until Lambre entered the ring and brought the winning time down to 60.34 seconds. Third place went to another early ride (sixth in the order), Daniel Bluman (ISR) riding Over the Top Stables LLC’s Entano, who stopped the timers in 62.42 seconds.

After a less than ideal performance in Thursday’s WEF Challenge Cup, Lambre decided to take Chapilot into the 1.45m. “It didn’t go so well yesterday, so I put him in the comfort zone [today],” he explained. “This is his class, but he can sometimes jump more.

“I was trying to win this class,” he continued. “Carlos put in a really fast time and made everybody work hard since the beginning [of the class]. [Chapilot] has a big step though. It’s amazing [to win] because you know how hard it is to win here, especially with all of the riders that come after you. I’m really proud.”

Lambre has ridden the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Chacco-Blue x Pilot) since it was seven years old. The pair won the three-star grand prix and another ranking class at the CSI 4*-W in Guadalajara, Mexico this past January. They have had 33 FEI ranking class top-three finishes in their five years together.

Bainbridge Chairman and CEO Richard Schechter Ringmaster Steve Rector and Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) & Chapilot during the awards ceremony

“He’s my winner horse,” Lambre confirmed. “Everywhere he goes, he always tries so hard. He’s my buddy.”

Week 9 of WEF will host a variety of two-star and five-star events all leading up to Saturday night’s $391,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix CSI 5*. Top national competition in the hunters, jumpers, and equitation will also be offered throughout the week. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will see competition from the world’s best riders through March 31.

Final Results: $36,000 Bainbridge 1.45m Classic CSI 5*

Place / Rider / Country & Horse (Sire x Dam Sire) – Penalties – Time

1) Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) & Chapilot (Chacco Blue x Pilot) – 0 – 60.34

2) Carlos Hank Guerreiro (BRA) & H5 Market Irminka (Irco Mena x Tinka’s Boy) – 0 – 60.90

3) Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Entano (Namelus R x Numero Uno) – 0 – 62.42

4) William Whitaker (GBR) & RMF Chacco (Chacco Blue x Graf Top) – 0 – 62.92

5) Beezie Madden (USA) & Jiva (Concorde x Nonstop) – 0 – 63.77

6) Petronella Andersson (SWE) & Finally Z (Figaro C x Darco) – 0 – 65.08

7) Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) & Dena-Sienne (Van Gogh x Animo) – 0 – 65.48

8) Eduardo Menezes (BRA) & Ennebel van het Posthuijs (Numero Uno x Argentinus) – 0 – 67.14

9) Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) & Tapatia – 0 / 67.15

10) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Palina de L’Escaut (Perigueux x Gottard) – 0 – 67.69

11) Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Karel VDB (Darco x Corland) – 0 – 68.11

12) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Deleyn (Larimar 7 x Dobel’s Cento) – 0 – 69.60

For full results, please click here.

Source: Summer Grace and Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. for PBIEC – Palm Beach International Equestrian Center / ESP – Equestrian Sports Productions

Photos: © Sportfot