Directing his veteran 12-year-old bay gelding Atlantis, Parot posted a blazing 58.10 with no faults— a full 3.90 seconds faster than the second place finisher. Who just happened to be Parot again, this time aboard his bay 10-year old mare Tailormade Anna Chaca, In a fault-free round, Parot reigistered a 62.08 time around the tight turns at the Agrium.
“As I said last week, it is a very fast course, and Atlantis was very good in the tight turns,” Parot said afterward. “He will be my main horse on Saturday for the Longines.” Asked if he was happy to have accepted the invitation of Royal West president John Anderson to ride in Calgary, Parot responded happily, “Very happy. And I will definitely be coming back next year.”
In third place was Canadian Olympic silver medalist Jill Henselwood aboard Farfelu du Printemps, her bay 10-year-old gelding, in 63.04. “Sam’s horses were very fast tonight but there’s a lot of riding to go,” said Henselwood. “I was taught by Ian MIllar that you always ride to win, and that will be my strategy.”
Canada’s Erynn Ballard took fourth place with a ride of 64.37 seconds on Hera van den Kouterhoeve.
Noted rider French/ Canadian Yann Candele got his first look at the course tonight, taking a catch ride when an injury to Keean White left him unable to ride Sombrero Bimbrelles. With just five horse’s warning, he guided the chestnut stallion to a respectable 78.08 secs. “I think it went very well. The ring is excellent, and it will be very good was we head toward the competition on the weekend.”
Earlier in the day, Muffie Guthrie captured the $15,000 Lonestar Mercedes-Benz Hunter Derby 3'6" National Qualifier on her mount Damiro van ter Notelaere. Brett Balisky took second place aboard Vigolo Z. In third was Crush with Darcy Hayes aboard. Wednesday, many of the same horses will be competing in the $15,000 Salentien Wines Hunter Derby 3'6 National Qualifier and Western Finals. Action in those classes starts at 2:45 PM MT.