Shared triumph for Jonna Ekberg and Armando Trapote in the Gran Premio Maeza

The CSI3* Maeza concluded in Sariego with a rare outcome in equestrian sport: a tie. Sweden’s Jonna Ekberg and Spain’s Armando Trapote shared first place after posting identical times in the jump-off of the Gran Premio Maeza.

The Grand Prix of Maeza, a 1.50-meter class, saw an exciting finale with five double clears after twelve horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the jump-off. In that decisive round, Spain’s Armando Trapote set an early benchmark aboard Cochiloco PS with a time of 45.24 seconds — a time that would prove unbeatable.

But that 45.24-second mark didn’t remain exclusive to the Spanish rider. Sweden’s Jonna Ekberg, known for her expertise in developing young horses, delivered one of the most competitive performances of her career. While she couldn’t beat Trapote’s time, she managed to match it exactly. To the crowd’s surprise, the clock stopped at precisely 45.24 seconds as she crossed the finish line with Bjurfors Orca Sit Z. As no other riders managed to improve on their time, both Trapote and Ekberg were declared joint winners of the Gran Premio Maeza.

Third place went to Colombia’s Nicolás Toro with Le Macho BH after a time of 48.46 seconds. Two young Spanish riders rounded out the top five in a tight finish: Diego Ramos Maneiro was fourth with Hero, while Asturian rider Pablo Santiago Artime secured fifth aboard Tanka du Marais, just one hundredth of a second behind.

Both winners received their trophies from Christina Bares and Estanislao Fuentes, representing Yeguada Finca Maeza.

TROFEO OQUENDO

The final 1.40-meter class of the competition was the Trofeo OQUENDO, a speed class contested by 71 combinations. Clear rounds were plentiful, with 30 fault-free performances, but it was a Spanish rider who came out on top. Álvaro González de Zárate, sporting director of Heras Horses & Events in Cantabria, delivered the fastest clear round of the class. Riding Coralín 8, the rider from Álava completed his course in just 62.56 seconds.

Following him in the standings were Laura Roquet, who finished second with Cricket, and Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj, who placed third aboard Maxwin Kinmar Angalux.

The trophy was presented to the winner by Juan Díaz, CEO of Oquendo, alongside Christina Bares and Álvaro Arrieta.

TROFEO FONCUEVA

The final day of the CSI3* Maeza 2025 began at 10 a.m. with a festive, cider-themed atmosphere, as the Trofeo Foncueva—sponsored by the prominent local cider producer—kicked off the competition. The class was a Two-Phase format with 43 combinations taking part, and it ended with a tightly contested result, with minimal differences separating the top finishers.

The tenth rider in the order, Jesús Garmendia, sealed the win with a brilliant performance aboard the promising 7-year-old Spanish Sport Horse (CDE), HH Atlanta de Arezzo. The rider from San Sebastián clocked 24.30 seconds in the second phase, a time that no one else could beat.

Portuguese rider Ricardo Gil Santos came very close, finishing second with a time of 24.86 seconds aboard First Diamond AG. Just two hundredths behind him was young Asturian rider Leo Vega from Avilés, who took third place with Princesa in 24.88 seconds.

Fourth place saw a tie between two female riders: María Giralt with City Meel and Asturian rider Micaela Álvarez Gutiérrez on Las Vegas vd Padenborre. Both stopped the clock at exactly 26.17 seconds.

The trophy was presented to the winner by Celedonio Foncueva Berros, manager of Sidra Foncueva, accompanied by Manuela Ena, Director General of Sports for the Principality of Asturias, and Álvaro Arrieta, president of Oxer Sport.

Additional Awards

In addition to the official class prizes, the CSI3* Maeza offered several special awards to participating riders. The Trofeo Mancomunidad de la Sidra for the best Spanish rider in the Gran Premio Maeza was awarded to Armando Trapote, who finished as joint winner of the class. The rider from Montenmedio received his trophy from Juan Antonio González Peláez, president of the Mancomunidad de la Sidra.

Trapote also received a voucher for a watercolor portrait by artist Maite Romero, presented by Alejandro Zarzuelo.

The special award for the Best U25 Rider of the show, sponsored by the Municipality of Sariego, went—for the second consecutive year—to Belgian rider Thibault Philippaerts. He was presented with the award by Saúl Bastián, Mayor of Sariego.

Charity Tickets

Large crowds attended the CSI3* Maeza, especially on Saturday and Sunday. All ticket proceeds were donated to two socially impactful organizations: Masquechuchos and the School of Equine Therapy. Both received their respective donation checks before the Gran Premio jump-off.

Blanca Rodríguez, representing Masquechuchos, was given a check for €2,000, while Kety Vives, from the School of Equine Therapy, received €4,634.