Laura Chapot buys Cian O’Connor’s Irish Sport Horse ISHD Dual Star

Francis Murray General December 28, 2013

US Showjumper Laura Chapot has recently purchased Cian O’Connor’s Irish Sport Horse ISHD Dual Star. Cian achieved top international placings with the now 11 year old mare including 4th place in the 1.45m speed class at HOYS (Birmingham) CSI3*, 7th in the 1.45m speed at Verona CSI5* and most notably 2nd in the 1.60m H&M Ivy Stakes at London’s Olympia CSI5* show this time last year.

Cian O’Connor & ISHD Dual Star competing at Verona CSI5* 2013.
Photo courtesy of Cian O’Connor

Laura Chapot was previously a member of the winning US Nations Cup team at Rotterdam in 1997 and also represented the US at two World Cup finals. In 1996 she rode the International superstar Gem Twist at the World Cup final in Geneva.  Laura is the daughter of the international showjumpers Frank and Mary Chapot – both of whom have competed at Olympic level.

ISHD Dual Star is joining two other Irish Sport Horse in Laura Chapot’s string of Showjumpers – Castellana who won the Cavan 6/7YO final with Cian O’Connor in 2012 and the 6 year old mare Cast a Dream who won the National Balmoral 6/7 YO class under Daniel Coyle.

Speaking about the sale of ISHD Dual Star Cian O’Connor said: “I am delighted that Dual Star is gone to Laura and I feel that it will be a very good partnership. She is a gifted rider and gets on well with all kinds of horses, in particular sensitive mares. Laura loves to win and horses really jump for her.”

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, will give us the first glimpse of Laura riding ISHD Dual Star. Cian O’Connor will also be attending festival for the entire 12 weeks of competition using it as an opportunity to educate some of his younger horses such as his new mare Quidam’s Cherie (Quidam’s Rubin x Lifestyle).

Cian O’Connor & Quidam’s Rubin competing at Olympia CSI5* 2013.
Photo credit: Michael Doherty

Breeding details of the above Irish Sport Horses:

ISHD Dual Star (ISH) – 2002 mare by Quick Star (SF) out of ISHD First Chance (ISH), by Concorde (KWPN). Bred by Irish Sport Horse Developments (ISHD).

Castellana (ISH) – 2006 mare by Cruise On (ISH) out of My Cherie (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by Hazel Mathews.

Cast A Dream (ISH) – 2007 mare by Castana (ID C1) out of Tobyhanna (IRE (TB), by Scribana (GB) (TB). Bred by Terry McLoughlin.