Frankie Chesler Captures Second in the CSI Welkenraedt Grand Prix

By: Brigitte O'Neill

In the first week of October, ninety-six years ago, inventor Henry Ford introduced the first mass produced automobile to the public, the Model T Ford, costing only $825.00 US and giving an entirely new meaning to the term 'horse power'. This past weekend, Frankie Chesler of Orangeville Ontario reminded everyone what the true meaning of 'horse power' is by achieving a second place finish in the CSI*** Welkenraedt International Grand Prix in Belgium.

A class made up of 32 riders, dominated by veteran Europeans, Chesler managed to navigate the first round, designed by Luc Musette of Belgium clear along with seven others. "The first round was so nice to ride, no big problems or traps to cause trouble for riders," Chesler commented. "The course was so windy and jumps were set at funny angles throughout the arena. When I was walking the course before the class started, I had to stop at one point and get my bearings as the course was set very twisty. This was a real thinking class, no sitting back and enjoying the ride!" Chesler was the fourth rider to return for the jump off with the first three riders having a rail down each. Being the only female and only Canadian in the jump off, Chesler aboard her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood VDL Nuit de Pomme aimed for a clean and fast time crossing the finish timers with a time of 39.03 and took first place with another four riders to go.

Edouard Mathe, rider for the Zangersheide Stud Farm aboard AK Chellano Z had a great round until an unfortunate stop dropped him to the 8th position. Martijn Pieter De Bruijn of The Netherlands aboard Off The Road was second last to go and had a clear round but just off the time to catch placing him behind Chesler. First place seemed in be in her grasp with only one horse to go but fate had something else in mind. Enter the last horse and rider on course, Harrie Smolders of The Netherlands aboard his stallion Oliver Q who incidentally just made his way to The Netherlands after showing under the Japanese flag at the Athens Olympics.

Seconds were shaved off where Chesler and the rest of the spectators didn't think possible and Smolders crossed the finish line with a time of 38.33, only .7 of a second faster. "It is so amazing how the first and second place can be decided by a fraction of a second," Alan Chesler, Frankie's father commented. "We are so proud of Frankie for going out into this highly competitive industry and leaving her mark on it. We are so looking forward to great things in Frankie's future."

Chesler placed very well all weekend here in Welkenraedt Belgium, a small little city that is only 15 km away from Aachen Germany, the European answer to Spruce Meadows. Earlier in the day of the Grand Prix, Chesler captured a 6th place in the tough and technical Prix Garage Vanderheyden aboard VDL Oscar. During Fridays classes, Chesler had another amazing day placing second twice in two top classes, the Prix Catherine De Buyl 1m 40 with VDL Nuit de Pomme and in the Prix J.M. Nix Entreprise Agricole 1m 45 with VDL Oscar.

Chesler also captured a fourth position aboard her six-year-old Dutch Warmblood Ranville in the 1m 35 Prix Laschet Taeter class. "The horses I am riding right now are progressing so well and I feel as if they all will become amazing international calibre quality. Every time I leave the ring people ask me about them! Showing in Europe is wonderful and I pinch myself every morning I wake up!"

Chesler will be showing in Holland and in the surrounding countries for the next few months gaining the international experience that she needs to move ahead in the equestrian world.