10/07/2010

The Italian rider made a spectacular time-mark of 46,74 seconds on the back of Moka de Meskam in a really tight final phase of the Grand Prix. From the 44 ensembles of this competition, only 11 in a clear round could pass to the second round.

The last competition on Saturday in the CSI of A Coruña, the Telefónica Grand Prix, was amazingly tight. 43 riders with their riders participated in this prize which is considered the greatest one of the Show-Jumping. In order to pass to the second round from which we got the winner, it was necessary to finish the initial course –consisting of 13 obstacles of 1,50 metres- in a clear round. Only 13 riders were able to pass. What happened next was a real example of greatness in the equestrian sports.

There were a lot of favourite riders among those participating in the second round. The winner was the last one to jump into the arena. When everybody expected Pieter Devos was going to be the winner with Equipharma Utopia Van de Donkhoeve in 51,33 seconds, it was Juan Carlos García’s time.

This rider, born in Colombia but competing for the Italian country, jumped into the outdoors arena of Casas Novas ready to win. Riding Moka de Mescam, a young horse that has not participated in lots of International competitions, eventually did what seemed impossible: reduce Devos’s time in almost 5 seconds. “To be honest, I jumped into the arena without knowing the rest of the results”, declared García at the end of the competition. “I was quite risky, maybe I shouldn’t have done it, but things were going really well”. Concerning his mount, Moka de Mescam, García highlighted its excellent form and age: “It’s a very young horse, I’ve had it since it was really small and up to now, it has not participated in a lot of international Shows”.

Furthermore, the Grand Prix focused on the good conditions of the equestrian facilities of Casas Novas. “I was last here three years ago. Now that I’ve come back, I’ve realized that the summer edition has improved by far. The arena is wonderful and the organizing committee is superb, one of the best I’ve ever seen”.

WOMEN ON THE PODIUM
One of the features of equestrian sport is that both women and men can participate. Although it was a man who finally got the Grand Prix, three women could have access to the podium. The Spanish rider Susana Epaillard finished the second round in 51,34 seconds on the back of Hello Pieirville. Forth position, was for the ensemble formed by the American Jessica Suida and Unbelievable 5, who finished the second round in 51,67 seconds. Edwina Alexander –a horsewoman who is on the 6th position of world rank- finished in fifth position. With Ciske Van Overis she had a time mark of 51,84 seconds.

Once the Grand Prix was over, The ADT Trophy was given to the best Spanish rider of the competition. Needless to say, this prize was for the horsewoman Susana Epaillard.

CASAS NOVAS BRINGS SUNDAY TIMETABLE FORWARD
The organizing committee of this Show-Jumping announced last Friday that the three competitions to be held on Sunday will be brought forward. Thus, the summer edition of CSI Casas Novas will be finished at about 19:00 h so that both participants and the audience have enough time to watch the final match of the World Cup in South-Africa, when Spain and Holland are going to participate.