Thermal, California, USA – November 02, 2023 – It’s evident watching them in the ring that Robert Blanchette (IRL) and Chardonnay have found their rhythm, and it played in their favor Thursday as they took victory in the $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic during week one of the National Sunshine Series.
The pair had a midway draw in the order of 58 entries, and, as Blanchette might say, just had a nice trip around Anderson Lima’s (BRA) speed course. The mare’s speed is so undeniable, however, that it was enough to take the win by a convincing margin.
Coming home in 62.597 seconds, the pair was over three seconds faster than second-place finisher Kyle King (USA) with Cerolino, owned by Ilan Ferder.
“She is better this year than ever,” Blanchette said of the mare, owned by RTS LCC. “I’ve been riding her since she was 9; she’s 12 now and each year she’s gotten a little better. This year at Spruce Meadows she gained a couple gears. She won a five-star derby there and after that she won a four-star World Cup Qualifier. Today, I was going to canter around at the pace she likes and it’s enough to win. She’s just a once-in-a-lifetime horse.”
When asked what qualities make her a once-in-a-lifetime horse, Blanchette replied, “Her heart. There’s a lot of things: scope, carefulness, rideability, but it’s her heart. She wants to win. She wants to please. We’ve been together so long now that we know what each other is thinking. I know five or six strides out if she might touch something. And I know if she won’t touch something.”
After his blazing fast round, Blanchette did what he always does: gave Chardonnay a cookie. She’s come to expect the gesture after jumping, and quite a bit in the barn as well.
“[I’ve given her treats] since the beginning,” he said of his treat-focused training. “I had a coach as a little kid and he always gave horses treats constantly. I still do, too. My whole life – as my wife will tell you – has been one washing machine full of horse cookies after another.”
The past few years with Chardonnay in the picture have changed Blanchette’s riding, but he also has another secret weapon in working with a performance coach for the last three to four years. When negative thoughts creep in while on course, he is able to change the subject and think positively.
“I have a [performance] coach that says don’t think [negatively], so I try to change the thought,” he said of the mindset he’s adopted. “It’s improved my riding in every aspect, mostly the focus and the ability to switch your mood at the snap of a finger. It’s what you need to do in a sport like this when it’s just you in the ring and you have pressures outside. You might’ve just gotten off a 4-year-old hunter and you have to change gears right away, and there are techniques to do that that you can learn.”
The Aptos, CA, resident is pleased to be back in the desert enjoying all it has to offer for the two-week National Sunshine Series, also looking forward to a season full of highlights for himself and his barn of clients and owners.
“It’s a great show, and has great footing,” he said of DIHP. “Steve is improving everything. Every time I come it’s better and I’m really happy about that. We’ll be here a lot.”
The schedule for National Sunshine Series week 1 isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Friday features the $15,000 Hidden Creek Farms 6-Bar, the $10,000 Platinum Performance USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open, the $10,000 Adequan® USHJA National Hunter Derby – Jr/Am, and the 3’ Butet Junior/Amateur Equitation Challenge.
Final Results – $30,000 FarmVet Open Classic – 1.45m
1) Robert Blanchette (IRL) & Chardonnay – 0 – 62.597
2) Kyle King (USA) & Cerolino – 0 / 0 – 65.773
3) Charlie Jones (GBR) & Capitale 6 – 0 / 0 – 66.508
Source: Press Release from Desert International Horse Park
Photos: © High Desert Photo
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