A win in the $62,500 JTWG, Inc. CSI3* Qualifier marked two international wins in as many days for Venezuelan Olympian Luis Francisco Larrazabal. After topping the opening three-star event on Wednesday riding Belle de Muze, owned together with Driss Ngadi, Larrazabal secured another victory on Friday—this time riding his Paris Olympic mount Condara during Wellington International’s Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment. The Spring Series continues for five weeks through May 11 and is highlighted by two CSI3* competitions.
Tackling Erica Sportiello’s (BRA) tie-breaking second round, Larrazabal returned late in the order in the winning round format where the top 12 from the opening round jumped off. He and the 13-year-old Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7) owned by Victoria Heurtematte were the top pair by nearly a full second over runner-up and fellow Paris Olympian Shane Sweetnam for Ireland. Sweetnam’s 41.16-second time settled 9-year-old Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, owned together with Coquest, LLC, into second behind Condara’s 40.08-second time.
Rounding out the top three was the highest ranked female rider in the world (18), Laura Kraut (USA), riding another up-and-coming mount in 9-year-old Emeraldo 4, owned by Stars And Stripes.
“When I have horses like these, I know they're fast and they have the experience to go for the class,” said Larrazabal of his back-to-back international wins, which were also bolstered by a national 1.40m victory earlier in the day on Thursday. “I always try to go for the win, but also focus on my plan instead of looking to the other riders.
“I was a little surprised today because I touched A of the double coming in and I thought I had it down,” continued Larrazabal. “I turned [to look] and I thought I lost a little time there. I was disappointed that I lost my focus, but I kept the pace and I'm very happy it worked out.”
In addition to the 2024 Olympic Games, Condara was Larazzabal’s go-to choice for the 2023 Pan-American Games in Chile. “I know her inside out. The course was tough enough today, but when you have a horse of this caliber and with the experience that we have, you can be confident at the 1.50m level. She loves the field; she's good in every ring—the bigger, the more spooky—I think it's better because she loves to jump and there's nothing that can knock her out of her connection and focus.”
Larrazabal returned to familiar territory after finishing second with Condara in the same competition during the 2024 season. They will now switch focus to preparing for the $120,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix to close the third week of the Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, on Saturday.
For complete results from the $62,500 JTWG, Inc. CSI3* Qualifier, click HERE.
Jacob Pope Clinches Bainbridge Companies Hunt & Go Derby
Hunters returned to the International Arena at Wellington International on Thursday for the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies, a highlight of hunter action during the Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment.
Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, soared to a win after pocketing scores of 88.25 and 91 aboard catch ride Hardrock Harmonie SIH for owner Eva Kennedy. Two judges threw scores that were combined for a total score over the one-round “hunt and go” style course designed by Danny Moore. Judges Scott Hofstetter and Ronnie Beard rewarded Pope and his 9-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Hardrock Z with the highest score over the handy portion of the track, helping them to clinch the win.
Jennifer Bliss of Wellington, FL, and Sugarman scored an 89 and 90 for owner Harris HIll Farm to finish second. Colin Syquia of Forest HIlls, NY, took third and fourth on Wellington Equestrian Center, Inc.’s Viloubet and Chilmark Farm’s Saloua, respectively.
“I just started riding him last week and we were focused on having some fun in these derbies,” said Pope, who also piloted Fitch, as the horse is known around the barn, to a championship title in the 3’6” performance division after winning three of the four classes over fences this week. “We were second in the derby last week, and this week I felt like he was in the groove and all business.”
Of his high score of 91 in the handy round, Pope responded, “I've learned just how handy he can be in the last week, so I knew my score in the handy round was going to be higher than my score in the first round.”
Pope showed off Fitch’s expressive gallop across the International Arena, and an ability to execute tight turns from a starting field of 30 in Thursday’s derby.
“What's really nice about these spring shows is that the hunters get to step into the International Arena, which has been great experience for Fitch in particular. “It's fun for me and nice to get a good result as well.”
Also headlining derby action during the Spring Series at Wellington International, Sara Taylor of Sherborn, MA, won the 2’6”/2’9” Hunt & Go Derby in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. She rode To The Moon, owned by Stephanie Danhakl, to scores of 89 and 88 for the victory.
For complete results from the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies, click HERE.
Competition at the Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, continues through May 11 at Wellington International. To view complete results, click HERE.
