classic champions ambassador

eric navet

Eric Navet is an internationally-acclaimed French equestrian and Olympic medalist in show jumping. As part of the French team, he won a Bronze medal in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona with homebred Selle Francais stallion Quito De Baussy. The pair were gold medalists at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games in Stockholm and helped France win the gold in La Baule in 1991 and bronze medal in Gijon in 1993. Navet claimed individual silver and team gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera with French stallion Dollar du Murier HTS de Seine.

Navet is a third-generation horseman from a family of talented riders and quality breeders. He grew up riding in his father Alain Navet’s breeding program. Both Navet’s daughters Estelle and Laurene have competed in show jumping at the international level. 

Navet started Quito De Baussy as a 3-year-old to prepare him for the young horse shows in France. He began showing the young stallion at the age of 4. By 8, Quito De Baussy was double world champion. He credits the horse’s success to the solid formation he received as a young horse.

Navet moved to Southern California to coach and work with young grand prix rider Karl Cook in 2013 after a successful career in France. Through Navet’s guidance Cook has contested the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in 2015 aboard Jonkheer Z and qualified again on Tembla in 2016 and 2017.

Navet’s qualification for the World Cup Final in 2017 was his first appearance at the event since 1992. It came as a surprise as he was concentrating on his coaching career. Navet was with Cook and entered as a show of guidance around the world-class course and both ended up qualifying. 

Navet coaches and competes across the U.S. and focuses on developing young jumpers from the 1.10m to the 1.40m and higher. He takes pride in producing horses that go on to become international-level athletes or become amateur horses due to the solid foundation received as a young horse.