Venezuelan Olympian Luis Fernando Larrazabal ended a week that will go down in his personal record book with an exclamation mark by winning the $120,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix, his fourth international victory in as many days. Riding his Paris Olympic mount, Condara, Larrazabal closed the third week of Wellington International’s Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, with surreal perfection.
The Spring Series continues for five weeks through May 11 and is highlighted by two CSI3* competitions.
Larrazabal has been trading off wins between two horses and started his weekend with a top placing on Belle de Muze, owned together with Driss Ngadi, in the $32,000 Equine Tack & Nutritionals 1.45m Classic on Friday. He then returned to his Olympic and 2023 Pan-American Games partner in Condara for the Saturday grand prix on the grass derby field.
“This is like a dream come true; it's still unreal,” said Larrazabal, 32, who has been based out of Wellington, FL, for 15 years and added a national victory on Thursday to bring his weekly tally to five wins. “It's difficult to win one class, imagine winning five. It’s for sure the best week of my entire career in international competition. To be honest, I was enjoying it while it lasted. [Weeks like this] are not normal, and I'm very happy and grateful for my horses and my team—it’s thanks to them that we're able to make this happen.”
With a nearly perfect week in sight, Larrazabal was one of seven to jump clear in the opening round of the Erica Sportiello (BRA) designed course. He and Condara, a 13-year-old Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7) owned by Victoria Heurtematte, returned last. To the enthusiastic ringside cheers from Larrazabal’s friends and family, they broke the final timer beam two seconds faster than their closest challenger.
“My horses were amazing the whole week, but I felt the pressure today because I wanted to win my fifth class,” admitted Larrazabal, whose winning time stood at 40.30 seconds. “But at the same time I knew I already did so much during the week—I didn't want to be too greedy. I did my best, trusted in my horse and made a plan. If it didn’t go this way, I would have still been proud of myself.”
Canada’s Chris Pratt led the way on 42.45 seconds until Larrazabal took to the field and bumped he and Ideaal ES to second for owner Take The High Road, LLC. Stopping the clock at 42.71 seconds, Alexandra Worthington (USA) rounded out the podium placings in third riding De l’Oiseliere, owned by Turn A Blind Eye, LLC.
When asked about Sportiello’s debut tracks in Wellington, Larrazabal responded, “It was tough enough, and seven clear was a very good number. I’ve never jumped her courses here, but I’m very happy with how she builds now,” he joked.
“I know my mare is very careful and gets quick in the combinations so I wanted to make sure that she didn't get quick coming in [after the triple bar],” continued Larrazabal of how the course suited his mare. “The beginning was good for me to start with the oxer to the wall; it's good for me to always start with a nice pace, and I was able to start with a lot of pressure and the horse in front of me. She kept her cool and jumped fantastic.”
The Spring Series at Wellington International saw unprecedented numbers and level of horse and rider as five of the world’s top ten ranked riders competed. For Larrazabal, it’s an honor to compete in the field and makes the win streak even sweeter. “In Wellington, it's not a surprise to be jumping against the top riders in the world, but beating them takes more power and I am so grateful for this week.”
For complete results from the $120,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix, click HERE.
Also highlighting competition on the derby field on Saturday, Tomas Yofre (ARG) won the $35,00 ArthramidVet National Grand Prix riding Cardora, owned by Stellium Sport Horses, and Campbell Kahn of Moreland Hills, OH, topped the BrainJuice Jr/Am Jumper 1.40m Classic aboard her own Gin Tonic 158.
Competition at the Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, resumes on May 1 and continues through May 11 at Wellington International. To view complete results, click HERE.
