Mario.jpgWellington, FL – Riding last in a three horse jump-off, Mario Deslauriers kept the Canadian flag flying high after the team’s Nations’ Cup victory when he and Paradigm raced to the win in the $150,000 CN U.S. Open Jumper Championship CSIO 5*, presented by Cosequin. Todd Minikus (USA) finished second with Pavarotti, while Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Coeur were third.

Today’s track offered the most difficult challenge seen so far at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The course designer for the week of the CN Wellington Open CSIO 5*, presented by Cosequin is Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Bolivia.

“When I walked the course, I thought maybe five or six would be clear,” Deslauriers expressed. “I think it’s the biggest we’ve jumped so far this year here. You needed a little scope today. The time allowed was very tight. The ground is a little slippery, so to make the tight turns is a little difficult. It was fair, but at the same time, difficult. It was a good test.”

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