Three Olympic riders advanced to the jump-off in the third leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2016/2017 North American League Western Sub-League. Last to go in the jump-off order, Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) rode the most efficient track to claim victory aboard 9-year-old mare Chacna.

Under the indoor lights at the Del Mar International Horse Show in California (USA), a starting field of 28 attempted the track designed by Frank Rothenberger (GER). Knowledge proved to be the defining factor as the 52-year-old veteran rider delivered one of the rare clear first round performances before recording a clear jump-off round with the fastest time by over two seconds.

France’s Eric Navet, riding Catypso, finished in the runner-up position while Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes rounded out the top-three placings with Catalina. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar narrowly missed out on the final round with an unfortunate rail at the first round’s fence no. 1, but with the fastest, four-fault round, he and Lordan finished fourth. The highest placing U.S. rider was Karl Cook who ended the evening in fifth with Tembla.

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