Each week on #HallOfFameThursday, Horse Network recognizes members of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame with an inductee’s plaque, historical photos and, on the first Thursday of every month, an article written by a Show Jumping Hall of Famer. This week, we recognize Frank Chapot’s spectacular mount Good Twist, Show Jumping Hall of Fame class of 2010.
Good Twist represented the United States in international show jumping competition in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Ridden by Show Jumping Hall of Famer Frank Chapot, and owned by Cynthia and Carl Twitchell’s Checca Farm, the grey Thoroughbred stallion enjoyed an illustrious career, winning 21 international classes in the United States and Europe.
Good Twist’s consistency as a speed horse who could jump big fences and handle long distances made him one for the ages. Chapot said that he turned like a little horse but rode like a big horse and that the never worried about long distances while riding him.
Good Twist was one of two mounts (the other San Lucas) that helped Chapot place second at the 1966 European Championships at Lucerne, Switzerland. Good Twist and Chapot also enjoyed several major European victories in the late 1960s including winning three classes at Aachen in 1966, two classes at Hickstead in 1967, and the Prix du Champion at Ostend in 1969.
In addition to their international success, the pair had North American victories at CSIOs in Toronto, New York, Washington and Harrisburg. In 1972, they were part of winning Nations’ Cup teams that also included Hall of Fame inductees Neal Shapiro, Kathy Kusner, William Steinkraus and Main Spring.
Also, in 1972, the pair was awarded the Frederick D. Mackay Memorial Trophy at the National Horse Show, where they put in an amazing performance with wins in four classes including the Grand Prix. They returned to win the Trophy for a second time in 1973.
In addition to his accomplishments in the show jumping arena, Good Twist is famous for siring one of America’s most beloved and most accomplished show jumpers, Gem Twist. Greg Best and Gem Twist captivated the hearts of America when they won individual and team Silver Medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Gem Twist was also awarded the American Grandprix Association Horse of the Year Award three times (’87, ’89 and ’92), each time with a different rider – Best, Leslie Burr and Laura Chapot.
Good Twist’s impact on the sport has been immortalized through his contributions both in and out of the arena. He will forever be remembered for his talent and athleticism as well as the legacy he left behind in his offspring.
All images courtesy of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
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