Biography

British rider Kirsty Chabert (35) who is based near Salisbury has two entries this year; Classic VI with who in 2023, she was 6^th at Pau, completed Lexington, won the 4*S at Carlow and was individually 2^nd in the nations cup at Millstreet. It will be a first Badminton for Opposition Heraldik Girl with who she contested Pau but did not finish. The combination was 5^th in the 4*L at Mallow and in 2022 completed Boekelo 4*L. Kirsty made her Badminton debut in 2016 completing with Opposition Detective and winning the Laurence Rook trophy.

Kirsty comes from an equestrian family. Her father John Johnston rode at four-star 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. With Opposition Detective she completed Pau on two occasions (2014 & ’16).

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

Classic VI (aka Betty) owned by John Johnston and Carole Somers is a14-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. He has completed four 5* events – and in 2022 was 2^nd at Luhmuhlen.

Opposition Heraldik Girl is a 12-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).