Williamsburg, Virginia, USA – August 31, 2023 – Samuel Parot (CHI) knew he had a star on his hands, but it took until Thursday of the first week of the Tournament of Champions to prove David Guetta is the real deal.

The pair sped to a win in the $38,700 Speed CSI 2* by nearly two seconds, taking a bold inside turn to seal the deal. Just third to go in the order over Canadian Peter Grant’s track. Parot had seen the very first round, jumped by Spain’s Francisco Goyoaga (ESP) Mollet and Icarus, which still held the lead.

“I saw [Francisco], and he went very very fast,” Parot explained. “In the turn after the combination, he went outside to the vertical to four strides. I thought the only possibility I had to win was to go inside after the combination. I did this and I pushed him to second place.”

The speed and precision of the round made viewers think the pair was seasoned together, but they’re still navigating the early stages of their partnership. The horse sat out due to injury in the spring, and now that he’s back, Parot knows the sky is the limit.

“This is our third show together,” Parot continued. “He had an injury and was on stall rest for three or four months. He has experience jumping five-stars in Europe, and he’s World Cups and everything.”

Parot has jumped championships before, including the Olympic Games in 2012, and is now at the Pan American Games at the end of October. Though David Guetta likely won’t be the pick for that event, he knows he can count on the horse for future championships, with even bigger things lying ahead for him.

“He’s everything: he’s very careful, he’s fast, he’s scopey,” he said of the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zento x Vigaro). “I think he’s a really good horse. Before I rode him, Victoria Gulliksen (NOR) rode him, and she’s a very good rider. He’s a five-star horse, a really good horse.”

The plan moving forward with David Guetta is to jump the $77,300 Southern Arches Grand Prix, plus a few more CSI3* weeks, before preparing for CSI5* competition in Wellington, where Parot hopes to be a top contender.

“It’s fantastic,” Parot said of Traverse City Horse Shows, where he has stood in the winner’s circle before. “It’s the best. Traverse City does the best job and has the best people. For me, it’s the best show..”

In the end, Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) and Icarus claimed silver honors after registering no penalties in 60.36 seconds.

Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Jannan S completed the top three in fault-free fashion too, doing so in 64.68 seconds.

Show jumping continues Friday with the $38,700 Molon Excavating Welcome Stake CSI 2*.

Final Results – $38,700 Speed CSI 2*

1) Samuel Parot (CHI) & David Guetta – 0 – 60.36

2) Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) & Icarus – 0 – 62.65

3) Jonathan Mc Crea (USA) & Jannan S – 0 – 64.68

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Photo: © Andrew Ryback Photography

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