It was a great night for the Netherlands in the CSI5*-W A Coruña, with the great triumph of Maikel van der Vleuten in the Massimo Dutti Trophy, the test of more difficulty of those disputed today in the equestrian center of Casas Novas.
The rider, sixth in the World Ranking, was the only one capable of resisting the pressure and surpassing the time of his compatriot Leopold van Asten. Van der Vleuten was gold at the last World Equestrian Games, and this year he won the Grand Prix at the stage of the World Cup in Verona.
The Dutchman, riding Salomon, stopped the clock in 34.65 seconds without any penalty. The podium was completed by Leopold van Asten and VDL Groep Miss Untouchable with 35.82 seconds and the German rider Ludger Beerbaum, who, riding to Chiara, made a time of 36.62 seconds.
Maikel van der Vleuten said that “I always try to do as much as I can for my own feeling, if I know I can’t beat the time, I know I shouldn’t give it a try. But the first round, I had a good feeling so for the second round the horse gave me a good feeling and that I should go for it”. Also, the rider declares that “It’s a very good organization, and they have a really good course designer. It’s a great spot to be with the other entire top rider”. About the Grand Prix he thinks “there will be a good level and then I’m looking forward to the World Cup on Sunday and I think we are going to see great sport with great riders“. Marta Ortega gave him the trophy, accompanied by Massimo Dutti’s communication manager, Eva Bautista.
On its behalf, in the Spanish participation, Álvarez Aznar added for the second time today a fourth place in this first day of the International Jumping Competition 5* A Coruña. Only 10 pairs of the total of 44 participants qualified for the tiebreak, in the most difficult test of the day.
Julien Epaillard on the Casas Novas podium again
Julien Epaillard had the honor to win the first test of the CSI5* this Casas Novas edition, stopping the clock in 64.30 seconds riding Instit de Jucaso. The Frenchman already knows how to win in Casas Novas, with two victories in the Grand Prix in 2006 and 2015. The rider did a brilliant competition and the second classified was three seconds later than him. Epaillard arrived to Casas Novas after winning last week the Longines Speed Challenge in Paris.
The podium was completed by Dutch Jur Vrieling with Dallas VDL in 67.82 second and the British horsewoman Laura Renwick riding Vdl Groep Alitta in 68.18 seconds.
The CSI5 * began at the afternoon in Casas Novas with maximum expectation. Local audience did not want to missed it and started to full the stands to see more than fifty binomials. The course was designed by the track manager Santiago Varela and had 17 obstacles. The test, which was celebrated in the scale fault and time with obstacles of 1.45 meters, was very demanding for the participants.
Spanish triumph in CSI2* competition
With a very good assistance in the stands of the equestrian center, the Spanish rider Alberto Márquez Galobardes take the victory in the second competition of the CSI2*, the Marqués de Riscal Trophy. It was the first triumph in the weekend of a local rider.
The rider left at the end of the competition but was very focused and talented to score a time of 27,89 sec with Volt de Kergane. Márquez was very happy for his victory and said “I did my best and I could beat Leopoldo”. The horseman had hope to make a good Gran Prix and start her first Casas Novas winter edition with a great victory. The rider from Aranjuez did a few weeks ago a good performance at the Madrid Horse Week, previous stage of the World Cup.
He was accompanied on the podium by Leonardo Medal García, who stopped the clock at 27.97 sec. Medal is also a horse breeder and her horse, Rey de Gozón, is doing a great year with several victories. The third was Ignace Philips, with 28.02 seconds riding Izmir van de Baeyenne.
The test began at 2.30 pm and it was attended by more than forty riders under the scale two phases both against the clock and obstacles of 1,40 m.
The first day of competition in Casas Novas has started at the morning with the celebration of the Inaugural Trophy, test of the CSI 2*. It was the first opportunity for the fans to enjoy the riders competing on the track of the equestrian center.
The Mexican anthem played in A Coruña thanks of the horsewoman Mariel Victoria Aguirre, who stopped the clock in 62.69 sec with no faults riding Taormina. The Spanish rider, Javier González Fraga, was second with Casanova and 63.92 sec. They were accompanied on the podium by the also Spanish rider Diego Ramos Maneiro, with Caddington 4 in 64.16 sec.
Great attendance of audience in the stands of Casas Novas
The stands of the indoor track of Casas Novas presented during all the day a remarkable turnout of fans, with a complete full during the afternoon. A Coruña’s audience always enjoys following their favorite riders and, of course, spending a good day with their family.
Everything in the CSI is thought for the comfort of the assistants, with all the services at their disposal and a complete team of professionals to take care of every detail. The winter editions have a special charm, with Christmas decorations around the event.
Tomorrow’s schedule
The equestrian center Casas Novas will open again its doors tomorrow, Saturday, with a new day to enjoy the high equestrian level. The three tests of the day will be played in the afternoon, two of them in category 2* and the last in 5*. At 3:30pm the Lexus Trophy, of 1.30 meters, will start under a speed and handiness scale; at 5:30pm, the Dachser Trophy, of 1.40 meters, which will be celebrated in fault and time.
The turn for the 5* test will arrive at 8:30pm, with the Longines Grand Prix, in a jump off scale. Spanish riders and horsewomen will have an extra incentive in this test, since the Tyco Trophy will be awarded to the best national qualified.
Results here.
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