Another Grand Prix victory in Oliva

Whilst in most parts of Europe the outdoor season is gradually drawing to a close and the indoor season has already got underway, the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain, is in full swing. Last weekend saw the second week of MET I, and just as during the opening week, it was once again a Z-class horse that clinched victory in the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.

Unlike the first week, the competition in Oliva was stepped up a level during the second week, meaning the competition took place at three-star level rather than two-star. The highlight of the weekend was the CSI3* Grand Prix, in which a total of fifty-six riders and their horses took to the arena. The 1.50m-high basic round, designed by course designer Rafael Suarez and his team, proved to be a tough challenge, with only five pairs managing to qualify for the jump-off. After a thrilling contest, it was the Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra who claimed victory with the 10-year-old grey gelding Cabernet Di Fer Z, a son of Cicero Z van Paemel and Baloubet du Rouet, bred by Jan Mertens. As the last pair to start, Seabra and Cabernet Di Fer Z raced to the finish line in 38.56 seconds, adding this Grand Prix to their list of achievements.

With their strong round, Seabra and Cabernet Di Fer Z thus relegated another Z-horse to^second place in the standings. That spot went to the Canadian rider Kara Chad and the 9-year-old gelding Ciao Bello Nve Z, a son of our chestnut stallion Comilfo Plus Z out of Inshallah de Muze, bred by Nathalie Vaneerdewegh. Chad and Ciao Bello Nve Z, who had already finished^4th in Friday’s qualifier for this Grand Prix, seemed set for victory after a clear round in 38.91 seconds, but ultimately had to settle for second place.

During Friday’s 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier, Belgian rider Bart Jay Junior Vandecasteele secured a podium place with the 11-year-old gelding Kadee van de Renthoeve Z, a son of Kannan and Baloubet du Rouet from Bart Sips’ stud. A dazzling round in 64.11 seconds ultimately earned them a fine^second place.

^Following their victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix the previous week, Irish rider Niall Talbot and the 11-year-old stallion Charming Dream Z (Carrera VDL x Evli Cagliostro – breeder: L.H.M. Sneijers). After a clear round, they stopped the clock at 66.29 seconds.

Also on Friday, the Colombian rider Dayro Arroyave made a name for himself with the 8-year-old mare Tundra D’Amas Z, a daughter of Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve and Andiamo Z, bred by Thomas Hoste. They competed in the 1.40m class, where they also secured^second place following a strong performance.

During Saturday’s 1.45m Longines Ranking class, Swedish rider Malin Baryard-Johnsson made her mark with the 9-year-old mare Amara van de Nachtegaal Z, a daughter of Aganix du Seigneur Z and L’Esprit, bred by Mark Smets and An Dewel. In a jump-off for which eight pairs had qualified, they knocked a bar off in their haste, finishing in^fifth place.

With two top-10 placings, Finnish rider Aura Vasama also enjoyed a successful competition week with the 12-year-old gelding Deejay KDW Z, a breeding product of Emile De Waele that combined the bloodlines of Diamant de Semilly with those of former World Champion Vigo d’Arsouilles. Vasama and Deejay KDW Z began their competition week on Thursday with an^{8th-place finish} in the 1.45m class, whilst on Saturday they performed just a little better, taking^7th place in the 1.45m class.

In addition to the Grand Prix victory by Duarte Seabra and Cabernet Di Fer Z, there was a second blue-and-yellow victory to note in Oliva. This was achieved by the Belgian rider Emilia Housen on the 13-year-old mare Karenina Z (Kannan x Quick Star), a horse bred by Hanna Remans. Housen and Karenina were crowned winners of the 1.30m class on Thursday. On Sunday, the final day, they were back in action once more, securing^second place in another 1.30m class.

Finally, German rider Nicola Pohl also managed to secure two further podium finishes with the 9-year-old mare Halla Isriwica Z (Hickstead White x Vleut – breeder: Gerrit and Arrietta Griemelink). After finishing^fifth in the 1.30m class on Thursday, they went on to take^fourth place in the 1.40m class on Saturday.