Tanimara Macari (MEX) doesn’t have much time left in the U25 division, but she’s making it count. The Cancun, MEX native celebrated her 25th birthday Wednesday at Thunderbird Show Park with a win in the MarBill Hill U25 1.35m, powered by Solaris Equestrian.
Macari bested a 13-horse jump-off with her and Diego Vivero’s 9-year-old gelding Febvre de Lusse, crossing the timers of Colm Quinn’s (IRL) course in 38.22 seconds. Kylie Martens (CAN) finished second with Nico 1427 (38.98 seconds), followed by Sutton Freisen (CAN) and Adare Ya To (39.52s).
“I wanted to give him a nice round. We still have two days left of this U25 [division], so I didn’t want to leave everything in there today, but I did want to give him a confident ride, just to set him up for the weekend,” Macari said. “I think that’s what we achieved today. He’s naturally a very fast horse, so we just put the gear on, and he was ready to go.”
Knight (CAN) swept the U25 classes at the April Spring Opener, and she captured an early lead with her longtime mount, Ecolano vs Romano. It was Kylie Martens and Nico 1427 who usurped their position at the top, and victory looked within reach until Macari and Febvre de Lusse entered the Fort Grand Prix Arena, with just two combinations following her in the 22-strong field. The pair understood the assignment.
“I think he has a really big heart, and he always tries his best whenever he goes in [the ring],” Macari said of Febvre de Lusse. “He’s naturally quick, and he’s also a very careful horse. So, whenever you say, ‘We are going,’ he’s like, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ And then he’s always ready to go.”
Macari has only been paired with the grey for three months, taking over the ride in February from her longtime trainer, Diego Vivero. Macari and her coach are co-owners of the gelding, but after purchasing him last year, Vivero spent the first eight months as his primary rider, continuing to develop the young horse.
“We found him at a show, and [Diego said,] ‘I think this [horse] is really interesting. Are you interested in going half and half?’ And we said, ‘Of course.'”
The grey has made a believer out of Macari—at least, when it comes to geldings. The Mexican native has spent the majority of her career working with mares. Admittedly, she’s come to enjoy working with a horse with more of a go-with-the-flow personality.
“Life is so simple with him. He’s always the same every day…He wakes up, I ride him, [and] he’s always in a good mood,” Macari said. “I’m like, ‘Huh, is this what life with a gelding is like?’ He’s so simple and unlike any other horse that I’ve had before.”
The U25 division continues Friday with the $5,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40, powered by Solaris Equestrian
MarBill Hill U25 1.35m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Febvre de Lusse / Tanimara Macari / MEX / Tanimara Macari / 0/0 38.22
2. Nico 1427 / Kylie Martens / CAN / Kylie Martens / 0/0 38.98
3. Adare Ya To / Sutton Freisen / CAN / Baystreet Equestrian / 0/0 39.52
4. Ecolano vs Romano / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 0/0 40.38
5. Ilanca / Sutton Freisen / CAN / Baystreet Equestrian / 0/0 41.49
6. Esi Jet Set / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0/0 42.46
7. Kristalstar / Sloane Betker / CAN / Sloane Betker / 0/0 42.71
8. Chambertino Z / Katrina Komitsch / / Katrina Komitsch / 0/0 43.84
9. Qualobet DW / Skylar Wireman / USA / Shayne Wireman / 0/4 38.61
10. Indy / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 0/4 43.39
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