Kirsty Chabert hails from the New Forest where she runs the family competition yard and stud. Her father John Johnston rode at four-star level, completing both Badminton and Burghley – and her mother, the late Debbie Johnston evented and rode international grand prix dressage while her brother Ben represented Great Britain at tetrathlon.
The Landford Common Stud, founded by Debbie and now under Kirsty and John’s charge, stood Fleetwater Opposition, one of eventing’s most successful sires, including siring British team horse Opposition Buzz. The stud, running under the banner, Team Opposition, is now a busy competition and training yard, complete with an aqua treadmill, with a small stud of three stallions, all with five star progeny.
In 2010, with Opposition Detective, Kirsty represented Britain at the World young horse championships in Le Lion d’Angers and again in 2013 with Opposition Skylaw. With Opposition Detective she completed Pau on two occasions (2014 and 2016).
She made her Badminton in 2016, completing with Opposition Detective and winning the Laurence Rook trophy.
With top ride Classic VI (aka Betty), Kirsty completed Pau 2019 and was second at Luhmuhlen CCI5* in 2022.
Kirsty, who trains with Jeremy Scott, is married to international French rider Arthur Chabert, who also works part time as a building site manager, and the couple has a young son, Henry.