Day 7 Royal Update: Esme Chapman is Champion in 2022 CET Medal National Final

Toronto, ON, Nov. 10, 2022 – Following two days and three rounds of tough competition, Esme Chapman, 17, of Mono, ON finished strong to capture the 2022 CET Medal National Final title on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 10. Sponsored by Running Fox, Equestrian Canada and the Hood family, the three-part final kept everyone guessing as the field of 16 combinations took to the ring at the 100th anniversary Royal.

Riding Melbourne Z (Eurocommerce Memphis x Leubus), a 16-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by M.L. Equestrian Inc., Chapman bested a field of up-and-coming athletes who qualified for the Final from four regions across Canada (Atlantic, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia).

Day 7 Royal Update: Esme Chapman is Champion in 2022 CET Medal National Final

Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

The CET medal class has been part of developing young athletes on their way to represent Canada in international competition. Several notable past winners include Canadian Team members Tiffany Foster, Erynn Ballard, as well Sam Walker, who qualified for international competition showing at the Royal this week and was on hand to congratulate the winners in the ring.

The group came back on Thursday to compete in reverse order of merit from their scores in Wednesday’s flat gymnastics phase. That phase was won by 19-year-old Anya Bereznicki from Calgary, AB, aboard Bugatti, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jennifer Tims. Chapman had come in third, with fellow top four jump off riders, Sloane Betker having placed second and Olivia Stephenson rounding out the group.

With the four back again after a competitive jump phase to go head-to-head in the jump off, Chapman knew her position wasn’t guaranteed. But she was happy when the results were called.

“I am still speechless,” Chapman explained. “Standing in line, waiting to be called is so nerve wracking. I had no idea what the order of pinning was going be like. Because it was such a competitive class, and everyone had such a great jump off. I was in complete shock when they called my name and I’m just, I’m still overjoyed.”

The format of the CET medal final was changed in 2021 to attempt to better exemplify what riders will face in their future in the jumper ring. The round is meant to be a test that showcases the skills of grand prix riders. Chapman and her fellow competitors certainly showed that in the day’s class. But the horses did as well.

Day 7 Royal Update: Esme Chapman is Champion in 2022 CET Medal National Final

Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

Chapman was grateful to be paired with Melbourne Z ‘Melon’, who is seasoned in Royal competition but was also a steadfast partner for her throughout the season’s competitions that qualified them to get to the national final. She even watched videos of others who have ridden him in the Coca-Cola Coliseum in the past to better understand how he would be in the ring.

“Melon has been the best partner this entire year and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without him. Today, he felt really good; he seemed calm, he seemed ready. I think he wanted to win maybe more than I did!” Chapman mused.

In addition to her horse, she was quick to thank her coaches Sandy Ballard and Courtney Bacso for their support throughout the year – her first-year riding with them, that she says has been a great one full of learning.

“They’ve been amazing and so supportive this entire past year,” Champan said. “I think the best part about them is that they make sure that I’m having a good time and that my confidence is always up. Because I think they know that if you have low self-esteem and a low confidence, then you’re not going be able to go in the ring and ride your best. They make sure that I’m feeling on my A-game.”

That A-game was seen by the judges and the crowd and the result should give her more of that confidence they are instilling in her. But from her words, she needs to refer back to this to know it and believe it.

“I just can’t believe that this has happened and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been here with me through it all,” Chapman said. “I still can’t believe it’s real.”

Rounding out the final after their individually exceptional performances were Bereznicki and Bugatti from Calgary, AB, in second Betker and Crack from Kelowna, BC in third, and Stephenson and Clearwater S from Calgary, AB in fourth. 

About Running Fox

With a retail store in Ontario, a mobile unit and a large online store, Canadian-owned Running Fox is a retailer of prestigious English riding apparel. Carrying tack and equipment of the highest quality, Running Fox is the exclusive Canadian and US distributer for Luc Childeric saddles and Dy’on bridleworks. For more information on Running Fox and their products and services, please visit www.runningfox.com or call 1-888-387-8225.

For full results from the 2022 Running Fox CET Medal National Final, visit www.royalfair.org.

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