February 28, 2026, Myakka City, Florida. Samuel Parot (CHI) has been on an impressive winning streak throughout all three weeks of the TerraNova Winter Series. While several of his recent victories came aboard Chrystal Blue, today’s win belonged to a different mount, Contigo Z. In fact, Parot not only captured first place, but also secured third aboard Chrystal Blue.
Parot and Contigo Z produced a fault-free first round before returning for another clear effort in the jump-off, stopping the clock in a fast 35.919 seconds to take the win. Harry Harding and Cequera La Beau also delivered a double-clear performance and an impressive jump-off time of 36.034 seconds, just 0.115 seconds shy of Parot’s winning mark.
Contigo Z, the 11-year-old Zangershiede gelding stands out from the remainder of Parot’s string, not only by his striking gray color, but his short stature. “The horse is really small, like a pony,” Parot said. “It’s the first time he’s done a grand prix this high. He’s new with me.”
After spending time training in Mexico, Parot and Contigo Z have spent their short partnership working their way through the heights to today’s ultimate 1.45m challenge. “He didn’t have too much experience. I’m so happy, I think he’s a top, top, top horse. He has scope, he’s careful, he’s fast. He’s really special,” Parot remarked. Last week in the $20,000 Blalock Walters 1.35m TerraNova Prix, Parot finished second with Contigo Z behind his other mount, Gradje O.
Among Parot’s notable victories over the past few weeks at TerraNova was his triumph aboard Tiffany De Olid in the $32,000 Howard Leasing 1.45m FEI Welcome Speed, despite drawing first in the order of go in a class of 42. He also topped a field of 25 international riders with Chrystal Blue to win the $65,000 STX FEI Grand Prix, delivering a fault-free performance and a blazing 39.66-second jump-off.
With no FEI classes running on Week 3 of the TerraNova Winter Series, Parot felt Saturday’s feature class proved to be equally challenging as the prior weeks’ CSI2* classes. “Today was not easy,” he said. “All the time, you have five, six, or seven riders that are good and fast, and you need go, go, go to try to win.”
When asked how he is handling back-to-back competitions producing so many winning results, Parot insists he is at the top of his game. “Am I tired? No! This horse is new, he may be my horse for the next Pan American Games in Lima. I think he has the capacity and the scope for this. So, no, I’m not tired. Only happy!” Parot declared.
$75,000 B&D Builders National Standard Grand Prix: Order of Finish
| Place | Rider | Horse | Round 1 | Jump-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samuel Parot (CHI) | Contigo Z | 0 | 80.010 | 0 | 35.919 |
| 2 | Harry Harding | Cequera La Beau | 0 | 79.163 | 0 | 36.034 |
| 3 | Samuel Parot (CHI) | Chrystal Blue | 0 | 78.077 | 4 | 35.069 |
| 4 | David Jennings | Presley Degli Assi | 0 | 77.442 | 4 | 38.622 |
| 5 | Mia Bagnato (USA) | Cordiamo | 0 | 77.353 | 10 | 49.398 |
| 6 | Mia Bagnato (USA) | Ballyoskill Big Bucks | 0 | 80.208 | E |
| 7 | Morgan Ashby (USA) | Paola-Fee de Laubry Z | 1 | 81.013 | – |
| 8 | Alice Cassidy | Dustie MHB | 1 | 81.522 | – |
| 9 | Todd Minikus (USA) | Chacoons Bellis Z | 4 | 78.433 | – |
| 10 | Mia Bagnato (USA) | Eristov | 8 | 80.337 | – |
| 11 | Juan Pablo Gnecco (COL) | Runaway VD Withoeve | 18 | 82.047 | – |
Competition continues with the $20,000 Marsh McLennan Agency 1.35m TerraNova Prix tomorrow at 11:30am. Family Breakfast tickets are on sale to enjoy during the event. Week 4 of the TerraNova Winter Series begins on Wednesday, March 4th, with FEI classes resuming on Friday.