Biography

British rider Kirsty Chabert (36) who is based near Salisbury has two entries this year; Classic VI with who in 2024 and 2023 she completed Lexington 5*. The pair has also completed Pau three times – 6^th in 2023 but has yet to complete Badminton.

Opposition Heraldik Girl started Badminton last year but was withdrawn after dressage. She was then 6^th at Luhmuhlen 5* with a double clear and at the end of the year completed the 5* at Pau.

Kirsty made her debut at the event in 2016 completing with Opposition Detective and winning the Laurence Rook trophy.

Kirsty comes from an equestrian family. Her father John Johnston rode at 4* level – he completed Badminton in 1984 – and her mother, the late Debbie Johnston evented and rode international grand prix dressage and her brother Ben represented GB at tetrathlon. The family run the Opposition Stud that was founded by Debbie. They stood Fleetwater Opposition who became one of the sport’s most successful sires – he was the sire of successful British team horse Opposition Buzz. Debbie bred the stallion (Yarlands) Summer Song (by Fleetwater Opposition) who completed Badminton in 1995 with Marie Christine Duroy and has since become a successful sire in France.

In 2010, with Opposition Detective, Kirsty represented GB at the World young horse championships in Le Lions and again in 2013 with Opposition Skylaw.

Kirsty is married to international French rider Arthur Chabert who completed Burghley in 2019 and the couple has a six-year-old son Henry. Time outside of horses is spent with Henry, by the sea or playing netball.

Kirsty trains with Chris Bartle and Jodie Phillips.

Classic VI (aka Betty) is a 16-year-old British-bred AES registered mare. Bred by Peter Charles she is by world leading jumping sire Calvaro and was acquired by Kirsty as a 5-year-old. She has completed six 5* events – and in 2022 was 2^nd at Luhmuhlen. Kirsty says; ‘she has been an incredible horse for me but is also a funny girl who only likes the people she likes and after all these years still has to be held to have her feet done’.

Opposition Heraldik Girl is a 13-year-old British-bred AES registered mare. Bred by Sue Hicks she is by Fleetwater Opposition out of Heraldik Girl by the well-known eventing sire Heraldik. Heraldik Girl is also the dam of Kirsty’s 3* ride Heraldiks Girl Opposition and the Future stud’s stallion Future Hepsilon (by Upsilon). She has been with Kirsty since a two -year-old along with her full sister.